Internet gambling and sports betting in Atlantic City once again had record breaking monthly numbers. Too bad this has little effect on the local economy.
Atlantic City casinos enjoyed 28% more winnings than last year, all thanks to online gaming and sports betting.
Most AC casino Internet and sports betting revenue is shared with 3rd parties.
That’s why the 9 Atlantic City casinos see in-person gaming and physical visits as their most important business segment.
In-person visits to Atlantic City on decline.
Six of nine AC casinos won less from in-person gaming compared to Summer 2019.
GOOD NEWS: Borgata, Hard Rock and Ocean Casino continue to thrive with critical in-person gaming, doing better than Summer 2019.
AC’s checkered reputation, leadership, management: major contributor to less in-person visits to AC?
Example: Tropicana Late Night Fights.
NOT THE PIZZA! pic.twitter.com/kDOOB3swbY
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) September 15, 2024
Why fewer visits to Atlantic City?
- Perception of crime. Dangerous, dark streets. Open drug use.
- Loss of major events: airshow, beach concerts, Miss America.
- Degradation of Gardners Basin, Aquarium.
- Controversial leadership: Mayor Marty Small.
- Difficult permitting and development process.
- Wind turbine industrialization: coastal waters, neighborhoods.
- CRDA mismanagement.
- Push for more cannabis operations.
- Disruptive, illegal short-term rentals, Air BnB dangers.
Why fewer visits to Atlantic City casinos?
The casinos should take a hard look about how visits from Downbeach clients are discouraged.
Outrageously high and inconsistent parking fees, poor maintenance by city of timed traffic lights (especially north of The Walk) to ease driving to the sites, cutback on popular slot games (like video poker), limited entertainment options, and in some cases elimination of once-popular buffets.
Everyone knows Millennials and Gen Z aren’t into gambling. That and so many other casinos opening up nearby doesn’t help. You guys like to blame Small but it’s a complicated issue. The city needs to focus on non-casino alternatives. I think really just one or two casinos would be enough.
Small has control of crime, Small has control of the homelessness issue running unchecked. Small has made several bad decisions, unchecked canabis stores is not the answer to economic recovery.
Small should check his ego and work with other stake holders.
Small is corrupt, Small is in the position for a profit and not caring about his constituents. Small in a word is “unqualified”. Then again, that’s the history of AC politics.
I feel badly for the honest voters who sincerely want a better life but are duped by the thugs who force this regime upon them.
WE are not blaming Small because we like to, we are blaming Small because he is the PROBLEM!
Someone needs to make a deal with UFC and or boxing and bring back the fights in Boardwalk Hall.
Bring back live events in Atlantic City to attract the foot traffic.
UFC drawls a very good crowd everywhere it goes.
I’ll say the word. We all need to fix this. It’s called major gentrification across AC.
Get rid of crooked politicians, move low income housing to Pleasantville, demolish buildings, setup police cameras everywhere, deport homeless to other cities/states.
Increase police presence, lock thugs up, create building opportunities, limit cannabis, stop with the crazy windmills.
Create non-casino venues and experiences, stop parking fees or dramatically reduce them, get rid of junky boardwalk storefronts.
Focus on what makes the difference, which is the beach.
Now I’m tired. That’s a start.
No police presence on the streets. Drug addicted homeless are all over.
Can’t walk safely at night on the boardwalk.
Streets are full of potholes. You ride down Atlantic Ave from outlets south you may need a front end alignment!
The casinos except the ones at the north end and the marina don’t know how to attract customers.
No buffets. No American style deli restaurants. They take the machines that the people want out. No poker machines because they pay more. no poker tables.
No enforcement of no smoking. they smoke all over.
They over compensate for the Asian clients at the expense of the other patrons.
When Manhattan gets a casino and Atlantic City loses a major part of their business then what? They’re done. No entertainment, no games, no restaurants, why come to this s#$t hole?
Bring back the buffets. Was at the Presidents club last week at Golden Nugget. mis the buffett
Watch them throw all the food left over in the trash. what a waste. the casinos are cutting back the in person.
the hardrock has now closed their Buffett on Tuesday and Wednesday this year.
it was always full last year.
the in person is catered to the higher gambler
The city is depressing and will not get any better.
Man, did they miss many opportunities to make Atlantic City better with the legalization of gambling.
SMH
Time to pull the cord on gambling. It’s not the “Perception of crime”. There is crime.
It is actually “Dangerous, dark streets”. There is “Open drug use.” This is preventing larger events from booking AC. This leads to faster degradation of the city.
“Wind turbine industrialization: coastal waters, neighborhoods” is not preventing visitors. Green power is a selling point. AC won’t be inhabitable in 20 years without it.
You boomers are griping about not enough buffets? Younger people couldn’t care less about stuffing themselves on cheap food. They want better non gambling experiences in a safer and cleaner city. Weed isn’t a solution. It draws the same human trash that cheap alcohol and gambling attracts.
“Disruptive, illegal short-term rentals, Air BnB dangers” is fear mongering from the hotels because they are competition. Was there crime before short term rentals? Yes. Gambling isn’t the future of AC. Margate, Ocean City, Avalon, Sea Isle, Wildwood, etc. all have vibrant towns with tons of summer visitors. What don’t they have? Gambling. Give it up already.