The fundamentals:
Atlantic City’s casinos have invested over $1 billion since 2020 in property upgrades.
In 2024, the casinos generated $1.65 billion in non-gaming revenue.
Visit Atlantic City organized 206 events, contributing $350 million to the local economy.
Crime rates in Atlantic City decreased during 2024–25 due to enhanced safety measures and increased police presence.
Many businesses in New Jersey and across the U.S. are struggling amid national economic uncertainty. In Atlantic City, casinos have experienced rising operational costs, inflationary pressures, and a decline in visitors, as more customers are opting for online gambling platforms. Despite these challenges, the Atlantic City casino industry has shown remarkable resilience and adaptability. Investments in property upgrades and the efforts of Visit Atlantic City have not only attracted and retained customers but also solidified the industry’s role as a key economic driver for New Jersey.
Since 2020, the casino industry has invested over $1 billion in revitalizing its properties, bringing a modern touch to the historic destination. According to Stockton University’s second annual report, Impact: Atlantic City Casino Industry, operators spent more than $200 million on capital improvements last year, focusing on casino resort infrastructure and expanding amenities. These enhancements included upgrades to guest rooms and event spaces, remodeled gaming areas, refreshed dining venues, new cuisine experiences, and long-term property transformation projects. Additionally, the recent completion of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ $40 million beach sand replenishment project has provided visitors with more oceanfront activities just outside the North Beach casino properties.
Stakeholders are collaborating to advance the city’s renewal and safety initiatives. Crime rates in Atlantic City have declined in 2024 and 2025, with the Atlantic City Police Department increasing its presence in the Tourism District. The ACPD has implemented crime prevention technologies such as license plate readers and advanced camera systems in high-traffic areas.
Atlantic City continues to expand its offerings. Last year, the casinos reported $1.65 billion in net non-gaming revenue that contributes to the local economy. Visitors have access to a wide range of dining options both within and outside the casino properties, along with diverse world-class entertainment attractions.
The casino industry has made significant economic contributions to the city, region, and state. Atlantic City’s success has a positive ripple effect on the state and local economy, emphasizing the importance of continued collaboration among stakeholders to ensure the resort destination thrives. According to the recent Impact report, 23,000 employees rely on Atlantic City’s success for their livelihoods. The industry’s influence extends beyond the city: it contributed a record $572 million to the Casino Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2024, supporting the state’s most vulnerable populations; spent $605 million on goods and services from New Jersey vendors in 2024, benefiting businesses across all counties; and casino employees donated nearly $3.5 million and contributed 7,000 volunteer hours last year.
Atlantic County remains a crucial player in New Jersey’s tourism sector, attracting over 20% of the state’s overnight visitors, with nearly 11 million people booking accommodations in the area last year. It also led the state in same-day tourism, hosting 13.1 million in-and-out guests, accounting for about 19% of all same-day travel in New Jersey. Last year, Atlantic City welcomed approximately 18 million visitors, a 1.2% increase from 2023.
Visit Atlantic City has been instrumental in drawing more visitors and businesses. The organization announced the integration of the DO AC brand in January, uniting the two organizations under one umbrella to create cohesive destination marketing targeting both leisure and business travelers. Visit Atlantic City hosted 206 meetings, tradeshows, and conferences last year, generating over $350 million in economic impact.
We are looking forward to a vibrant summer season featuring family-friendly events and continuous entertainment. The return of the Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival and headline performances at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall is welcome news for our destination, along with the reopening of the Atlantic City Aquarium.
Although Atlantic City has undergone many changes and faced numerous challenges over the years, it remains a significant part of New Jersey’s history, having served as a resort destination for nearly 150 years and continuing to be a lively location for tourists. Atlantic City casinos are ready to welcome new and returning visitors this summer with top-notch dining, entertainment, and gaming amenities unmatched anywhere on the east coast. Don’t miss out on an unforgettable summer in Atlantic City.
— News Original —
Despite uncertainty, AC remains statewide economic engine
The basics:
Atlantic City casinos invested over $1B since 2020 in upgrades
Casinos reported $1.65B in non-gaming revenue in 2024
Visit Atlantic City hosted 206 events, adding $350M in impact
Crime declined in 2024–25 with new safety tech and police presence
Many businesses in New Jersey and across the country are facing challenges due to national economic uncertainty. Here in Atlantic City, casinos have faced increased operating costs, inflationary pressures, and reduced visitation, as many customers have shifted to online gambling platforms. Despite these obstacles, the Atlantic City casino industry has demonstrated incredible resilience and adaptability. The casinos’ reinvestments in their properties and experiences, along with continued efforts of Visit Atlantic City, have worked to not only attract and retain customers, but also remain an essential economic engine for New Jersey.
Since 2020, the casino industry has spent more than $1 billion in revitalizing its properties, bringing a modern twist to the historic destination. According to Stockton University’s second annual report, Impact: Atlantic City Casino Industry, last year, operators spent more than $200 million on capital improvements, reinvesting in casino resort infrastructure and expanding on amenities. These enhancements included guest room and event space upgrades, remodeled gaming areas, refreshed dining venues and new cuisine experiences, along with years-long property transformation projects. Additionally, with the recent completion of the U.S. Army Corp of Engineers’ $40 million project to replenish the sand on the beaches, visitors will now have access to additional oceanfront fun just outside the doors of the North Beach casino properties.
Stakeholders are also working together to advance the city’s renewal and safety. Crime in Atlantic City has been on the decline in 2024 and 2025, and the Atlantic City Police Department has increased police presence throughout the Tourism District. The ACPD has added crime prevention technology such as license plate readers and advanced camera systems throughout high-traffic areas.
Atlantic City continues to diversify its offerings. Last year, Atlantic City casinos posted $1.65 billion in net non-gaming revenue that contributes to the local economy. Visitors have access to incredibly diverse dining options both in and outside of the casino properties, as well as a wide variety of world-class entertainment draws.
A community partner
The casino industry has made significant economic contributions to the city, region and state. Atlantic City’s success has a trickle-down effect on our state and local economy, and it is vital for stakeholders to continue working together to ensure the resort destination is thriving. According to the recent Impact report, there are 23,000 employees who depend upon Atlantic City’s success for their family’s livelihood. The industry’s reach is far beyond Atlantic City: the industry contributed a record $572 million to the Casino Revenue Fund in fiscal year 2024, helping the state’s most vulnerable populations; the industry spent $605 million on goods and services in 2024 from New Jersey vendors, supporting businesses in every county; and casino employees gave back to their community by donating nearly $3.5 million and logging 7,000 volunteer hours last year.
Business and leisure
Atlantic County continues to play a vital role in New Jersey’s tourism sector, drawing over 20% of the state’s overnight visitors, with nearly 11 million people who booked accommodations in the area last year. It also led the state in same-day tourism, hosting 13.1 million in-and-out guests, making up about 19% of all same-day travel in New Jersey. Last year, Atlantic City welcomed approximately 18 million visitors, a 1.2% increase over 2023.
Visit Atlantic City has been fundamental in attracting more visitors and businesses. The organization announced the integration of the DO AC brand in January, uniting the two organizations under one umbrella to create cohesive destination marketing that targets both leisure and business travelers. Visit Atlantic City recorded 206 meetings, tradeshows and conferences last year, generating more than $350 million in economic impact.
We are excited for a strong summer season with family-friendly events and nonstop entertainment. The return of the Visit Atlantic City Soar & Shore Festival and headline entertainment at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall represents welcome news for our destination, in addition to the reopening of the Atlantic City Aquarium.
While Atlantic City has seen many changes and challenges over the years, the fact remains that it is an important part of New Jersey’s history, has been a resort destination for nearly 150 years and continues to be a vibrant location for tourists. Atlantic City casinos are prepared to welcome new and returning visitors this summer with the very best of dining, entertainment and gaming amenities not matched anywhere on the east coast. Don’t miss out on an unforgettable summer in Atlantic City.