Rummy Pandit, executive director of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism at Stockton University, said he expected an increase in gaming revenue last month but was “pleasantly surprised” by the actual amount of growth.

Since June, the Atlantic City casino industry has had the added benefit of two new properties — Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Ocean Resort Casino — and the introduction of sports betting.

“There’s new market segments coming into the city,” Pandit said, explaining why the revenue increase was anticipated. “There could be some novelty (related to the new openings and sports betting), but I don’t necessarily believe it will taper off. The market is going to continue to grow because we’re offering a destination resort.”

November is the sixth consecutive month of gaming revenue growth in Atlantic City and the seventh month in 2018. However, gross operating profits in the industry were down 9.3 percent through September for the year compared to 2017, signaling to some experts that the market may not be able to handle nine casinos.