A new report released Wednesday underscores the vital role of the Atlantic City casino industry as a statewide economic anchor, revealing a record-breaking $1.1 billion in taxes and fees generated in 2025—a nearly 25% increase over the previous year.
The report, titled “2025 Impact: Atlantic City Casino Industry,” was produced by the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism (LIGHT) at Stockton University in collaboration with the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ). It details how the industry powers the regional economy through massive infrastructure investment, significant employment, and essential contributions to New Jersey’s social safety net.
The surge in tax revenue, driven largely by the growth of internet gaming and mobile sports betting, has provided a critical boost to the state’s most vulnerable populations. In Fiscal Year 2025, Atlantic City casinos made a record contribution of $661.7 million to the Casino Revenue Fund (CRF).
These funds directly support programs for seniors and individuals with disabilities, including:
- $590 million toward housing for people with developmental disabilities.
- $16 million for community-based senior programs.
- $5 million for pharmaceutical assistance.
- $4 million for personal assistance services.
“This new report highlights the vital role Atlantic City casinos’ taxes and fees play in supporting New Jersey’s social safety net programs,” George Goldhoff, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey said.
The casino industry remains one of New Jersey’s most significant employers, providing jobs for 22,500 residents. The impact is most concentrated in the local region:
- 14,500 employees are residents of Atlantic County (11.1% of the county labor force).
- 4,600 employees live in Atlantic City (representing 33% of the city’s entire labor force).
Beyond payroll, the industry spent $634 million on goods and services from New Jersey vendors in 2025, with nearly 60% of that spending staying within Atlantic County. Over the last five years, operators have also reinvested more than $1.2 billion into capital improvements, including room renovations and expanded entertainment offerings to remain competitive.
Despite the record-setting tax contributions and a steady flow of 17.6 million visitors, the report noted that 2025 was a year of “contradictions.” While gross revenues reached new heights, gross operating profits actually declined by 3.9% due to rising operating costs and a flat market for traditional in-person gaming.
“Atlantic City’s gaming industry demonstrated resilience and momentum in 2025,” Jane Bokunewicz, faculty director at LIGHT said. “Casinos continued to invest in new amenities and experiences—positioning Atlantic City for long-term growth ahead of expanded competition in the region.”
To read the full report click here.
