In spite of a decline in in-person gambling due to ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, the state of New Jersey reported impressive gambling revenue totals of $511 million in April, according to data released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.
The revenue figures show a 1.1% increase from the same period last year, marking the tenth consecutive month of year-over-year increases for the state’s gambling industry. This steady growth is a positive sign for the state’s economy as it continues to recover from the impacts of the pandemic.
While in-person gambling saw a decline in April, online gambling continued to thrive, with a total of $359 million in revenue, representing a 22% increase from the previous year. This increase in online gambling revenue comes as no surprise, as many people turned to online gambling as a form of entertainment during the pandemic when in-person options were limited.
The state’s sports betting industry also saw growth in April, with a total of $52.5 million in revenue, representing a 1.7% increase from the previous year. This growth can be attributed to the return of major sporting events and the continued popularity of online sports betting platforms.
Despite the overall positive revenue totals, Atlantic City’s nine casinos reported a decrease in revenue in April, bringing in a total of $174.2 million, a 5.5% decrease from the previous year. This decline can be attributed to the ongoing Covid-19 restrictions, including capacity limits and social distancing measures that have limited the number of patrons allowed to visit the casinos.
Overall, the revenue totals for April show that New Jersey’s gambling industry is continuing to rebound from the impacts of the pandemic, with online gambling leading the way in driving growth. As the state continues to ease restrictions and more people are vaccinated, the industry is expected to see further growth in the coming months.
