In the first quarter of 2021, Atlantic City casinos generated over $750 million in net revenue, marking a significant increase compared to the same period last year. This is a positive sign for the industry, which has been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.

The pandemic forced Atlantic City casinos to shut down for several months in 2020, resulting in a significant drop in revenue. However, with the easing of restrictions and the rollout of vaccines, the casinos have been able to reopen and welcome back customers.

According to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the nine casinos in Atlantic City generated $749.9 million in net revenue in the first quarter of 2021, a 10.8% increase compared to the same period in 2020. This is a promising start to the year for the industry, which is hoping for a strong recovery after a difficult year.

One of the factors contributing to the increase in revenue is the shift towards online gambling. With more people staying at home due to the pandemic, online gambling has become increasingly popular. In fact, online gaming revenue in New Jersey increased by 36.6% in the first quarter of 2021 compared to the same period last year.

Another factor is the return of in-person gambling. With restrictions easing and more people getting vaccinated, customers are returning to the casinos and spending money on gambling and other amenities such as dining and entertainment.

The increase in revenue is also good news for the state of New Jersey, which relies heavily on taxes from the casino industry. In 2020, Atlantic City casinos paid over $150 million in taxes to the state.

However, there are still challenges ahead for the industry. The pandemic is not over yet, and there is still uncertainty about how long it will take for things to return to normal. Additionally, competition from neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and New York continues to be a challenge for Atlantic City casinos.

Despite these challenges, the increase in revenue in the first quarter of 2021 is a positive sign for the industry. With the rollout of vaccines and the easing of restrictions, there is hope that the industry will continue to recover and thrive in the coming months and years.