NJ becomes first US state to top $1B in monthly sports betting handle, driven by mobile

New Jersey’s sports betting industry has become the first in the U.S. to break the $1 billion worth of bets mark in a single month in September, according to figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement on Monday.

Atlantic City’s nine casinos and three racetracks collectively took $1.01 billion in total sports wagering handle. Most of it corresponded to mobile wagering, at 918.4 million, while 92.7 million belonged to on-site sports wagering.

The newly-set monthly record does not only mark a first time for New Jersey but the nation as a whole, as sports betting grows in popularity and more states legalize operations. “New Jersey has always been a strong gaming market," described the state Casey Clark, senior vice president of the American Gaming Association (AGA), according to Associated Press.

"Crossing the $1 billion handle mark in September is an impressive indicator of the appetite of New Jerseyans and Americans across the country who have embraced legal, regulated sports betting,” added Clark.

The state’s gambling venues kept over $82 million in revenue of the total handle, an 82.9% increase compared to 2020, after winning bets and other expenses were paid. The Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford accounted for half that total, at $41.3 million. Borgata followed at 13.4 million.

Year-to-date accumulated sports betting revenue totals $557.8 million among all casinos conducting sports wagering in New Jersey. In comparison, in 2020, casinos saw sports betting revenue of $223 million by September.

Year-to-date handle also posted a highly positive figure for the state. Total bets for the first nine months of the year equaled $7.1 billion. This further cements New Jersey’s spot at the top of the sports betting industry. The previous U.S. record for the most money bet on sports in a single month also came from the state, at $996 million wagered on sports in December 2020.

"New Jersey reaped the benefit of being an early adopter of sports betting," said Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University, which studies the gambling industry. 

“By embracing mobile sportsbooks and making sports betting more accessible than even Nevada, New Jersey has now achieved an important milestone of more than $1 billion wagered on sports in a single month,” she added, according to the previously cited news source.

September also proved to be a good month for New Jersey’s gaming industry overall. Total casino, internet and sports betting revenue throughout the month was up over 40% versus 2020, at $453.5 million.

In-person casino revenue increased over 30% to $248.5 million, while iGaming was up nearly 40% to $122.5 million. The Borgata remained Atlantic City’s market leader, with casino wins of $111 million, up nearly 75%, while next closest competitor was Hard Rock at $48.6 million, up 36%.