Gambling in the USA
NEW JERSEY SPORTSBOOKS NEARLY HIT $500 MILLION MARK IN OCTOBER FanDuel fuels New Jersey’s sportsbooks to new benchmark; Golden Nugget online tops revenue of land-based counterpart, according to PlayNJ.com
New Jersey’s online and retail sportsbooks continued their string of record months and whopping year-over-year gains in October, nearly reaching its first $500 million month. And that growth should continue with the tip-off of basketball season, according to PlayNJ.com analysts.
“New Jersey has a real shot at surpassing Nevada again, if not in October, some time before the end of the NFL season,” said Dustin Gouker, lead analyst at PlayNJ.com. “The state’s handle is growing at a pace near 100%, year-over-year. And the overlapping of football and basketball should propel New Jersey into new territory.”
New Jersey’s sportsbooks accepted a record $487.9 million in bets in October, an 87% jump from $260.7 million in October 2018, according to official reporting released Thursday. October’s handle beat the previous record of $445.6 million, set in September.
October’s bets yielded a record $46.4 million in revenue, up from $11.7 million in October 2018 and breaking the record $37.9 million set last month. October revenue generated $5.7 million in taxes, and pushed the state’s sports betting industry past the $300 million mark ($331.2 million) in lifetime revenue.
New Jersey’s October handle will likely fall short of Nevada — which generated $528.5 million in October 2018 and will announce October 2019 data later this month — for the second straight month. Combined the two largest U.S. markets are generating $1 billion a month in bets. And the Garden State could use the popularity of basketball — which has generated $698.2 million in bets so far in 2019, the most of any sport — to propel it past Nevada once again.
“If New Jersey is going to pass Nevada during the NFL season, it will be in large part due to the comparative popularity of basketball in the Northeast,” Gouker said. “In Nevada, football betting is king, and it’s nearly as popular in New Jersey. But a key differentiator between the two markets is that New Jersey bettors’ have shown more interest in other major sports, especially basketball.”
$417 million of all October bets were made online, accounting for 85% of New Jersey’s handle. That is up from 84% in September.
FanDuel Sportsbook/PointsBet continued to pace the online market, gaining $20.7 million in gross revenue, up from $13.3 million in September. Resorts Digital’s license, which is now anchored by DraftKings and Fox Bet in addition to its self-branded sportsbook, lost ground by generating $10.6 million, down from $10.7 million in September. The online market leaders were followed by:
- Hard Rock/Bet365/Unibet ($1.8 million, up from $178,255 in September)
- Monmouth/William Hill/Sugarhouse/TheScore ($1.7 million, down from $2.4 million)
- Ocean Casino/William Hill ($1.6 million, up from $1.3 million)
- BetMGM/Borgata ($1.4 million, up from $721,801)
- Caesars Sportsbook/888sport ($536,600, up from $486,668)
- Golden Nugget/BetAmerica ($359,216, up from $336,740)
- Tropicana/William Hill ($40,014, up from $29,783)
FanDuel Sportsbook at The Meadowlands posted $4.1 million in October gross revenue, up from $3.6 million in September, to lead retail sportsbooks. FanDuel was followed in gross revenue by:
- Monmouth Park ($1.2 million, up from $996,844 in September)
- Ocean Casino ($697,659, down from $1.8 million)
- Borgata ($458,351, down from $756,416)
- Tropicana Casino ($350,230, up from $170,792)
- Resorts AC ($265,320, down from $340,117)
- Bally’s AC ($233,745, down from $241,703)
- Hard Rock AC ($123,616, down from $231,150)
- Golden Nugget ($176,890, up from $150,698)
- Harrah’s AC ($92,449, down from $118,102)
“The addition of Fox Bet under the Resorts Digital license has reset the race for the top spot in the online market,” Gouker said. “FanDuel is still the most popular single brand in the state, but it will be worth watching whether it can keep up with DraftKings and Fox Bet.
GOLDEN NUGGET’S ONLINE REVENUE TOP LAND-BASED REVENUE AS ONLINE CASINOS ENJOY RECORD MONTH
New Jersey’s online casino and poker industry continued its push toward $450 million in annual revenue after a record October, as the Golden Nugget’s online product generated more revenue than its land-based casino for the first time.
Online casino games and poker generated $45.2 million in October, up 69% from $26.8 million in October 2018, and blowing past the previous record of $41.14 million set in September. The industry has now generated an annual best $384.2 million in revenue so far in 2019 — 58% better than the $242.7 million generated in the first 10 months of 2018.
The importance of New Jersey’s digital product can be seen in the online casino market’s heaviest hitter. The Golden Nugget tallied $16.6 million in October, up 71% from $9.7 million in October 2018, to easily lead the online casino market. More importantly, for the first time its online revenue surpassed the revenue its land-based Atlantic City casino generated ($14.8 million).
“What the Golden Nugget continues to prove is that its online casino can generate millions in revenue and grow at an overwhelming pace without a negative impact on their own land-based operations,” said Eric Ramsey, online gambling analyst for PlayNJ.com. “When the first online casinos launched in 2013, many thought such a dynamic would be impossible. But clearly that has been proven wrong.”
Some other important online casino and poker data from the September report:
- Online casinos generated $6.8 million in tax revenue in October and has now injected $245.1 million into government coffers since launch in November 2013.
- The industry generated $1.5 million per day during the 31 days of October, up from $863,028 per day in October 2018.
- Online casino games generated $43.6 million in October, up from $39.5 million in September. Online poker was flat at $1.6 million.
For more information and analysis on regulated sports betting and online gaming in New Jersey, visit PlayNJ.com/news.
About the PlayUSA.com Network:
The PlayUSA.com Network is a leading source for news, analysis, and research related to the market for regulated online gaming in the United States. With a presence in over a dozen states, PlayUSA.com and its state-focused branches (including PlayNJ.com and PlayPennsylvania.com) produce daily original reporting, publish in-depth research, and offer player advocacy tools related to the advancement of safe, licensed, and legal online gaming options for consumers. Based in Las Vegas, the PlayUSA Network is independently owned and operated, with no affiliations to any casino — commercial, tribal, online, or otherwise.
Gambling in the USA
Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort Rising in Kings Mountain as First Year of Construction is Completed

Significant construction has been completed during the first year of work on the $1 billion Catawba Two Kings Casino Resort in Kings Mountain, N.C., a site off Interstate-85 only 35 miles from Charlotte and close to the South Carolina border.
Construction on all aspects of the project is in full swing, with the foundations for the casino complex and hotel completed several months ago, the casino complex at its full height and expanding horizontally, and steel continuing to rise for the 24-story, 385-room hotel. The hotel tower framing is now 10 stories high, with an additional floor being added nearly every week. At completion, the hotel will be connected to the casino complex.
The casino complex includes the introductory casino on the first level, three levels of covered parking, a back-of-house level and top level with the main casino floor and restaurants. The introductory casino, set to open in spring 2026, will include 1350 slot machines, 20 table games, a 40-seat restaurant, a bar, sports betting kiosks, and Lucky North Rewards desk.
The introductory casino will replace the current temporary (prelaunch) casino, which continues to grow in popularity as it nears its fourth anniversary on July 1.
The main casino complex is targeted to open in 2027. It will be about 2 million square feet and feature:
• 4300 slot machines
• 100 table games
• 11 dining outlets, including a steakhouse, Italian restaurant, marketplace with six venues, café, and grab-and-go outlet
• A players lounge
• 11 bars, including a center bar and sports bar
• A 2700-space parking garage built under the casino complex and 800 surface parking spaces
The project has created hundreds of construction jobs. Upon completion, the casino resort will employ an estimated 2200 regional residents and citizens of the Catawba Nation.
“This casino resort will be an economic game changer for Catawba citizens and a force to drive the economy of Cleveland County and the City of Kings Mountain. This project is a testament to our resilience, our commitment to self-sufficiency, and our determination to build a better future for ourselves and our future generations,” Catawba Nation Chief Brian Harris said.
Harris noted the temporary casino is contributing to many community and charitable organizations in the region, and that will only increase as the full casino resort opens.
The project is being led by the Catawba Nation Gaming Authority under Vice President Trent Troxel, with Yates-Metcon as the construction general contractor; Delaware North as the gaming management, development and hospitality consultant; and SOSHNY Design architects.
“Once again, I want to thank the Cleveland County, City of Kings Mountain, federal and state leaders who have supported the Catawba Nation’s efforts develop the casino resort in its ancestral lands in North Carolina,” Harris said.
Work has also been completed on two key infrastructure projects for development of the permanent casino resort that were funded by the Catawba Nation: doubling the size of the Dixon School Road Bridge over I-85 near the casino entrance and installing new sewer lines near the casino.
Gambling in the USA
Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa Named Luckiest Casino in US by Casinos.com

Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa has been named the luckiest casino in the US according to a recent study conducted by Casinos.com. The resort claimed the top spot based on an in-depth analysis of Tripadvisor reviews, measuring the frequency of luck-related keyword mentions.
With a 25.49% luck rate, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa topped the list thanks to glowing guest feedback, including frequent mentions of jackpots, hand pays and bonus wins. 50 reviews mentioned the word “jackpot,” and 19 even referenced a “hand pay.”
Casinos.com tracked keywords such as lucky, luck, won, winning, success, jackpot, hand pay, winner, bonus, profit to determine which U.S. casinos inspired the most winning moments among visitors.
“I hit 4 jackpots. I stayed one night. I had a blast. The machines are as loose as anywhere else,” wrote one Tripadvisor reviewer, noted Casinos.com, capturing the essence of why the casino landed in the No. 1 spot.
“We’ve always known this was a lucky casino, but it’s exciting to see that recognized through data-driven research. It’s a testament to the vibrant energy on our casino floor and the unforgettable experiences we strive to create for every guest,” said Steve Bonner, President of Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa.
The ranking reinforces Seminole Hard Rock Tampa’s reputation as one of the premier gaming and entertainment destinations in the US. Seminole Hard Rock Tampa was not involved in the study and was unaware of it until the results were publicly released.
Over the past year, Seminole Hard Rock Tampa has paid out nearly 839,000 jackpots totaling more than $2.45 billion, continuing to deliver thrilling high-stakes gaming. Since May 1, 2024, the casino resort has awarded 375 jackpots of $100,000 or more, amounting to an impressive $61 million in winnings. Notably, 47 of those massive wins stemmed from bets of $5 or less and nine came from wagers of $3 or less.
Seminole Hard Rock Tampa offers a fully integrated casino experience with a sleek, modern design and welcoming atmosphere of 245,000 square feet of gaming space and entertainment. With 5230 of the hottest slot machines and a full range of table games such as poker, blackjack and baccarat, there is no shortage of opportunities to win. Additionally, guests can enjoy live craps, roulette, and sports betting at their leisure.
Gambling in the USA
California Gambling Control Commission Advances Licensing, Tribal Partnerships, and Responsible Gaming Initiatives

Sacramento, CA — In a meeting packed with regulatory updates and licensing decisions, the California Gambling Control Commission (CGCC) convened on April 24 to advance numerous agenda items impacting the state’s gambling landscape—from tribal gaming approvals to responsible gambling programs and operator renewals.
Problem Gambling & Public Health Takes the Stage
The Commission meeting opened with a presentation by Sosha Marasigan-Quintero from the California Department of Public Health, offering an overview and update on the California Problem Gambling Treatment Services Program. While no specific staff recommendations were provided, the update underscores California’s continued focus on behavioral health in gambling.
Tribal Revenue Distribution Approved
The Commission approved the quarterly distribution of payments from the Revenue Sharing Trust Fund to eligible recipient Indian Tribes. This routine, yet vital, procedure ensures the equitable distribution of revenue to support tribal sovereignty and infrastructure across the state.
Cardroom Licensing: Approvals and Extensions
Among key licensing matters:
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500 Club Casino (K & M Casinos, Inc.) received both initial and renewal owner-type license approvals through January 2027.
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Casino Chico, Hollywood Park Casino, and Lake Bowl Cardroom were granted renewals and short-term extensions, some with conditions such as improving record-keeping systems or ensuring regulatory compliance ahead of reopening.
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Hotel Del Rio & Casino was granted a 60-day extension under several strict conditions, including updated safety plans and the restatement of commingled financial records.
Key Employee Licensing Actions
The Commission approved several initial and renewal key employee licenses. Notably:
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Jeffrey Thompson was approved with a condition prohibiting involvement in illegal gambling activities.
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Kevin Lee and George Rahme received 120-day extensions for renewal processing.
Third-Party Proposition Player Services Under Scrutiny
The Commission approved both initial and temporary licenses for Fortune Players Group, Inc., with a lengthy list of conditions tied to the conduct of a former associate, Rene Medina. These conditions highlight the Commission’s ongoing vigilance in monitoring third-party player services and maintaining compliance across operations.
Progressive Gaming, LLC was also approved for an initial license, further expanding third-party service provider capacity.
Gaming Resource Suppliers & Tribal Approvals
Initial suitability findings for several prominent tribal gaming resource suppliers were approved, including:
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HCAL, LLC
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JCM Global
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Konami Gaming, Inc.
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PDS Gaming, LLC
Dozens of tribal gaming employees were also approved for key positions at tribal casinos across California, reflecting the Commission’s continued support of tribal gaming operations and the necessary workforce to support it.
Notable Withdrawals and Denials
In two notable cases, requests to withdraw license applications—Josephine Hoang and Jesus Bojorquez—were denied, signaling the Commission’s increased scrutiny and emphasis on applicant accountability.
A Broader Look Ahead
With regulatory reform on the horizon and ongoing efforts to promote responsible gaming, the April 2025 CGCC meeting showcased a mix of routine license management and deeper engagement with emerging compliance issues. As the Commission prepares for the next quarter, the groundwork laid in this session will likely influence policy developments and enforcement trends across California’s gambling sector.
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