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Atlantic City, Casino

Here’s What We Know About the Atlantic City Casino Thefts

By James Murray

Atlantic City Casinos With Check And Handcuffs

Atlantic City remains one of the biggest and best gambling hubs in the United States. Occasionally, these gaming venues draw attention from criminals. New reports surfaced this week that provide more information on the Atlantic City casino thefts that took place over the summer.

The casino companies operating in Atlantic City have dealt with a lot over the past year. Now is a great time to talk about the recent thefts that took place at some of the casinos here.

Let’s get into it!

More Details on the Atlantic City Casino Thefts have Just Surfaced

There has been a huge amount of attention placed on Atlantic City’s casino industry over the past nine months. To the surprise of some analysts, the gambling venues here experienced a massive comeback from the events that unfolded in 2020. Gambling revenue has been increasing here and tourism into the city remains high.

Not everything goes perfect for these casinos, though. Over the summer, reports surfaced that a group of individuals had attempted to steal a large amount of money from several of the casinos here. This week, more details on the recent Atlantic City casino thefts were released to the public.

Five individuals have now been charged with trying to steal an astounding $1.1 million from the casinos here. Prosecutors claim these individuals passed fraudulent checks in their attempt to take this money. Suspicions were raised in late August and it didn’t take long for casino officials to recognize the crimes being committed. Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew Bruck commented on this situation to the media this week.

“The defendants were caught executing a sophisticated financial scheme spanning multiple casinos and over a million dollars in fraudulent checks,” Bruck said. “This case is just one example of the excellent work — in this instance across international borders — performed by the members of the New Jersey State Police and Division of Criminal Justice who are assigned to investigate and prosecute crimes in the casinos.”

All five of the defendants involved in this case face serious charges. If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison. We’ll be sure to offer more updates on this situation over the next few months.

Sports Betting Revenue Continues to Surge in New Jersey

New Jersey is widely credited with being one of the states responsible for having PASPA removed. Officials here quickly approved sports betting legislation following PASPA’s removal in mid-2018. Since that time, New Jersey has developed the largest and most successful sports betting industry in the United States.

Sports betting revenue has been surging in this state through most of 2021. Things took a slight dip over the month of August. As many predicted, however, September proved to be one of the most successful months in history for the sports betting industry here.

Over the month of September, the sportsbooks here saw more than $1 billion wagered. Of that handle, $82 million was kept by sportsbooks. Those are outstanding figures for this industry that prove that sports betting continues to grow more popular every year.

Casino revenue is up in the city, as well. In-person casino revenue is up 30% when compared to September of 2020. $248.5 million was brought in from the state’s casinos. $122.5 million was brought in through the state’s online casino platforms.

Just about everyone involved with Atlantic City’s gaming industry is happy right now. Hope is that the upward trend continues through the rest of 2021. Stay tuned for more reports on the revenue figures here as the year continues.

More States Report Gambling Revenue Increases

Atlantic City has been the most profitable gambling hub on the East Coast for decades. This city is beginning to experience more competition from neighboring areas, though. Several states in the Northeastern US have recently begun to expand their gambling laws and are working to bring in more tax revenue from casinos and sportsbooks.

Massachusetts is one of those states. Casinos have been operating here for nearly a decade. There are now three casino-resorts in the state, all of which help to bring the state large amounts of tax revenue each month.

Reports came out today claiming Massachusetts’ casino revenue hit a three-month high over July, August, and September. The month of July proved to be the most successful, as the casinos here brought in more than $95 million. August came next at $92 million. September saw just a slight step down as the casinos managed to bring in $89 million.

New York’s lawmakers continue debating whether or not a Class III casino should receive permission to open in New York City. Many claim it will help to boost tax revenue and tourism. Others worry it will lead to gambling addiction and other social issues within the city. More information on this proposed casino is expected to come out shortly.

Are you surprised to hear about the Atlantic City casino thefts? Which state is best suited to compete with Atlantic City’s casino industry? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Atlantic City, Casino

Ocean Casino-Resort is Suing a Pennsylvania Casino Over Advertising

By James Murray

Ocean Casino Lawsuit

Atlantic City is home to some of the biggest and most powerful casinos in the United States. That includes the Ocean Casino-Resort, one of the newest properties to open its doors in this city. New reports have just surfaced claiming that the owners of this property are now suing a major Pennsylvania-based casino.

Now is a great time to talk about why this lawsuit is being made. We’ll also talk about how the casino industries in New Jersey and Pennsylvania are faring right now.

Let’s get into it.

Ocean Casino-Resort Files Lawsuit Against Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia

The US casino industry has been steadily recovering since the mass shutdowns back in 2020. Over in Atlantic City, things have been faring very well. The East Coast’s top gambling hub has been seeing consistent revenue increases over the past few months.

Recently, the Ocean Casino-Resort has established itself as one of the most popular gambling venues in the city. This venue opened its doors back in 2012. It struggled to generate much interest at first, yet has been seeing steady revenue increases over the past eight months.

News broke this week that the owners of this venue have filed a lawsuit against the Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia. The Ocean Casino-Resort spent a massive amount of money developing the “Go for the Win” slogan in their marketing campaign. The Live! Casino & Hotel Philadelphia is now using its own slogan, “Let’s Go for the Win,” illegally, representatives from Ocean claim.

Officials at Ocean Casino-Resort want the Philadelphia casino to immediately cease using this slogan. They are also demanding money for the damages this rival marketing campaign has caused. Representatives of Live! Casino Philadelphia have yet to comment on this lawsuit.

Fortunately, the gaming industries in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania are performing very well right now. Here’s a look at how much revenue these properties have been bringing in lately.

Casino Revenue Continues to Surge in the Northeastern US

There is now a massive gambling hub developing in the Northeastern area of the United States. New Jersey and Pennsylvania have both developed major casino industries in recent years. Both are also seeing steady revenue increases throughout 2021.

The American Gaming Association recently released a report detailing New Jersey’s casino revenue over the year’s second quarter. Incredibly, this state has managed to bring in $13.6 billion in total gross gaming revenue over the months of April, May, and June. That represents the best quarter in history for the casinos here.

Pennsylvania has massively expanded its gaming industry over the past two decades. Last July, the casinos here reported $423 million in total gaming revenue. That is an impressive $35 million jump when compared to the month prior.

New Jersey and Pennsylvania are home to large sports betting industries, as well. Both land-based and online sports betting are legal and regulated here. This industry helps to bring the state a huge amount of tax revenue each month.

2021 is shaping up to be the best year in history for the casinos in the Northeastern United States. So how are the casinos faring over in the Western US?

Las Vegas Continues to Report Impressive Gaming Revenue Figures

Las Vegas is facing more gambling competition from other states now than ever before. Despite that fact, “Sin City” remains the most powerful gaming destination in the United States. It has recovered from the events that unfolded in 2020 and continues to set new revenue records in 2021.

That was the case this past July. It was this month that the casinos here managed to bring in $794 million in total gross gaming revenue. That surpassed the previous record set in February of 2013 at $696 million. Some analysts credit the opening of Resorts World Las Vegas for this spike in gaming revenue.

Most expect to see even larger revenue figures as the year goes on. Some believe August will end up surpassing the $794 million mark set the month prior. This is likely due to the continuously increasing tourism rates in Las Vegas.

The US casino industry is in a better position than ever before. That is incredible when considering how dire things were for this industry just one year ago. We’ll be sure to offer more revenue updates as the year goes on.

Are you surprised the Ocean Casino-Resort is suing Live! Casino & Resort? Will this lawsuit be successful? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Casino, New Jersey

New Jersey’s Casino Revenue Continues to Surge Through 2021

By James Murray

Atlantic City Casino Image

New Jersey remains the biggest and most profitable gambling destination on the East Coast. It seems that 2021 is proving to be an exceptionally good year for the casinos here. Today, we’ll take a close look at New Jersey’s casino revenue figures through the first seven months of the year.

The casino companies here have reason to celebrate. Some fear still remains that the spread of the Delta variant could end up halting the progress being made here.

Here’s what you need to know!

Most US Casinos Avoid Major Restrictions

There has been a huge amount of attention put on the US casino industry over the past two years. For months in 2020, this industry was completely shut down. Casinos began to reopen over the summer of last year, yet tourism rates to casino hubs remained extremely low.

This was largely due to the restrictions set on casinos around the country. Health experts ordered casinos to implement measures such as mask mandates and significantly reduced capacity limits. On the casino floor, plexiglass barriers were installed to separate players.

Most gambling fans chose to avoid casinos while these restrictions were set in place. Once these rules were lifted, however, tourism rates to casino hubs have been rapidly increasing. That has been apparent throughout 2021.

In recent months, a new Covid-19 variant has been spreading around the country. This Delta variant has been worrying health experts and has led to a new surge of cases. Some casino hubs have ordered a limited set of new rules including mandatory mask-wearing on the casino floor.

Fortunately, none of the serious restrictions set in place last year have been set in any US casinos. State officials recognize how devastating this will be for casino companies and the cities these venues are in. It seems unlikely that these types of regulations will be set in place at all.

Things are still going very well for casinos around the country. That is more apparent than ever after new revenue reports have been released. Here is a quick look at how much money the casinos in New Jersey have been able to generate recently.

Breaking Down New Jersey’s Casino Revenue Figures

Atlantic City was one of the cities truly devastated by the mass casino shutdowns in 2020. Officials in this city were instrumental in getting casinos reopened. The economic situation here has changed recently and casinos are seeing consistent increases in their earnings.

Not long ago, reports surfaced that shed light on New Jersey’s casino revenue figures over the course of the year. These reports give the casinos in the state reason to celebrate. In fact, 2021’s second quarter was the best in history for Atlantic City’s casinos.

The American Gaming Association has confirmed that the casinos in Atlantic City managed to bring in $13.6 billion in gross gaming revenue in 2021’s Q2. Total gaming revenue in the state is up more than 30% when compared to 2019. Jane Bokunewicz, an official within the Levinson Institute for Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism at Stockton University, offered some insight into what has led to this revenue surge this week.

“When they lifted the restrictions (this spring) a lot of the amenities still had not returned to normal. Like the concerts, the shows, the conventions. All the special events had just started coming back online,” Bokunewicz said. “From February on, each month was a little better than the previous month, so people are returning to the casinos and we’ve seen that the internet gaming has stabilized.”

This trend of major revenue surges is likely to continue as the year goes on. That is, of course, assuming that casinos are not ordered to shut down again anytime soon.

Things appear to be going smoothly over in Las Vegas right now, as well. Now is a great time to look at how the casinos in this gambling hub are faring so far this year.

Nevada Continues to Break the $1 Billion Monthly Revenue Point

No city was as economically affected by the events that unfolded last year as Las Vegas. The country’s biggest gambling hub has since recovered and continues to set new revenue records. This past June, Nevada’s total gaming revenue once again passed the $1 billion point.

In total, gambling revenue in the state came out to $1.19 billion. That represents a slight dip from the state’s all-time high of $1.23 set in May. It’s still a very impressive figure and one that gives the casinos here reason to be optimistic.

Slots have been one of the primary driving forces in these revenue surges. Slot games have grown considerably more popular over the past year. This past June, slots in Nevada managed to bring in $868.1 billion.

The opening of new properties has also led to a tourism boom in cities like Las Vegas. It wasn’t long ago that Resorts World Las Vegas finally opened to the public. At $4.3 billion, this is the most expensive casino-resort ever built in the city.

2021 is shaping up to be the best year in history for the US casino industry. Tens of billions in total gross gaming revenue have already been brought in. Stay tuned for more updates on these revenue figures as the months go on.

Are you surprised to see New Jersey’s casino revenue continue to increase? Will 2021 be the most successful year in history for the US gambling industry? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Atlantic City, Casino

Workers Push to Ban Smoking Inside Atlantic City Casinos

By James Murray

Hard Rock Atlantic City

Atlantic City is home to one of the largest casino industries in the United States. Many world-class casinos are operating in the city, most of whom have seen large jumps in revenue over the past few months. New reports claim that workers are now pushing to ban smoking inside Atlantic City casinos.

Many US gambling hubs have been pushing for a similar rule to limit smoking inside casinos. These efforts have been mostly unsuccessful. Today, we’ll talk about what could lead to Atlantic City changing its rules on smoking.

Let’s get into it!

Many of the Casino-Resorts in Atlantic City are Undergoing Renovations

Atlantic City has been a popular gambling hub for decades. It has faced its ups and downs over the years. The economic crash of 2008 nearly resulted in the collapse of the city’s entire land-based casino industry.

In 2020, Atlantic City faced perhaps its biggest test to date. It was this year that all of the casinos in the city were ordered to shut down by Governor Murphy. It took months for any of the gambling venues in the city to begin operating again.

These venues began operating again over the summer, albeit with a huge number of restrictions set in place. Fortunately, most of the rules set in place last year have now been removed. As a result, the city has been seeing a steady increase of tourists flocking in.

Many of the biggest casinos here are now set to undergo major renovations. That includes the Ocean Casino-Resort, which recently announced it plans to begin a $15 million renovation that will update the rooms and casino floor. As some are aware, this property is now the third-most-successful casino in Atlantic City.

These renovations may help to further boost tourism rates in the city. It’s an exciting moment for the casino companies here and other businesses that rely on visitors. Hope is that the upward trend continues over the rest of 2021.

Some of the workers in this city are now pushing hard to make things safer. Here’s what we know about the latest push to prohibit smoking inside the city’s gambling venues.

Workers Group is Now Pushing to Ban Smoking Inside Atlantic City Casinos

The majority of casinos around the country allow their patrons to smoke. It’s a common allowance seen in even the most expensive casino-resorts in the country. Many of these properties invest in state-of-the-art filtrations systems to limit the damage caused by smoking.

There’s no doubt that the conditions are unhealthy for the workers inside these venues, though. Some workers groups in Las Vegas have been successful in getting smoking banned on the casino floor. Unfortunately, the casinos that established this rule almost all saw a massive drop in their visitation numbers.

Casinos want to avoid losing their much-needed players. Of course, the owners of these properties are also beginning to take a closer look at the danger it presents to their workers. Many casino companies are working to address this issue in the best way possible.

New reports claim that a group of workers is now pushing to ban smoking inside Atlantic City casinos. This takes place as the city is set to begin allowing smoking again starting on Sunday. Many are now pushing hard to get this activity permanently banned, at least in some of the city’s casino-resorts.

Governor Murphy seems open to this idea. The Casino Association of New Jersey, however, claims this would put the state’s gaming industry at a disadvantage with other nearby gaming destinations.

“Going completely nonsmoking would place Atlantic City casinos at a competitive disadvantage with other nearby casinos that allow smoking,” the group said. 

This is an interesting situation and one that many are likely to be torn on. We’ll be sure to continue offering updates on the situation here over the next few months!

Las Vegas Casinos Brace for Another Major Surge of Tourism

Most of the country’s land-based casino destinations are seeing impressive increases in revenue this year. That includes Las Vegas, which was the hardest economically hit city in the country in 2020. This city has rebounded and is now seeing steady growth in tourism as the months go on.

On June 24, Resorts World Las Vegas opened to the public. This is the most expensive resort ever built in the city and has been highly anticipated with gaming fans around the country. Opening day was a massive success, with at least 20,000 individuals attending its opening ceremony.

The Fourth of July weekend is just around the corner and most analysts expect another massive surge of tourism. That includes Scott Sibella, President of Resorts World LV. He claims this may end up being the best weekend in history for the city of Las Vegas.

Most casinos are getting ready to offer new entertainment options to their guests over the holiday weekend. Most have slightly increased their room rates over the weekend, as well. Hotel bookings are up and the city should experience a surge of revenue.

It may not be long before officials begin pushing to ban smoking inside casinos in Las Vegas. That won’t be easy when considering some of the power these venues hold in the city. Stay tuned for updates!

Do you think smoking inside Atlantic City casinos will eventually be prohibited? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Atlantic City, Casino

Atlantic City’s Q1 Revenue Figures are Finally Out!

By James Murray

Atlantic City Picture

New Jersey’s gambling industry continues its impressive comeback. Over the past few months, the casino and sports betting operators here have been steadily recovering. Atlantic City’s Q1 revenue figures are now out and many are impressed to see where the city stands.

The entire US gaming industry is bouncing back right now. Over in New Jersey, things seem to be improving faster than in other parts of the country. Now is a great time to break down the revenue numbers over in Atlantic City.

Let’s get into it!

Memorial Day Weekend Will Bring a Surge of Tourism to Casino Hubs

Just one year ago, the entire US casino was struggling immensely. Most states were still ordering their commercial casinos to remain closed. As a result, gambling revenue was almost non-existent around the country.

Things began to improve as the year went on. By the end of 2020, it became clear that the industry was bracing for a major comeback. That is proven true, with gaming revenue slowly increasing over each month of 2021.

As infection rates drop, more people around the US are choosing to travel. Memorial Day weekend is just around the corner and analysts expect to see a massive surge of travel. Many will choose to visit some of the country’s major casino hubs such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City.

The major casino companies based in these cities are preparing for a surge of tourism, too. Casinos in Las Vegas have increased their room rates in order to make the most revenue this weekend. There is also a range of new entertainment options coming to this city.

Atlantic City is also hoping for an influx of tourists from around the country. This city is known as the biggest gambling hub on the East Coast. There are a number of hugely popular casino-resorts here looking to bring in more players.

We’re now beginning to see how successful this year has been for the gaming industry in AC. Let’s check out the numbers!

Breaking Down Atlantic City’s Q1 Revenue Figures

It’s been great seeing the US land-based casino industry bounce back lately. The events that unfolded last year showed how vulnerable this industry really is. Casino revenue has been slowly increasing as the year goes on.

This week, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement released Atlantic City’s Q1 revenue figures. According to this government body, the city earned three times more in this year’s first quarter than the same time period of 2020. It’s extremely exciting news for the casino companies here.

Overall, casino gross profits here came out to $95 million in 2021’s Q1. Eight of the nine casinos in Atlantic City reported revenue increases over January, February, and March. James Plousis, chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, spoke about this new development to the media this week.

“The strength of internet gaming and the safe return of tourists to Atlantic City are a powerful combination,” he said. “Last week’s lifting of casino capacity restrictions bolsters confidence for a strong recovery this summer.”

The next few months will likely be even more successful for the gambling industry in Atlantic City. Summer tends to be the most successful season for major casino destinations. With the lifting of many restrictions, Atlantic City will likely set records from its tourism industry.

Atlantic City’s Q1 revenue figures are certainly exciting. We’ll be sure to continue offering updates on the gaming industry here as the year goes on!

Las Vegas Casinos Remove Most Major Restrictions

Atlantic City is certainly one of the biggest gaming industries in the country. Of course, Las Vegas is still the king of the casino hubs. This city is home to a massive number of world-class casino resorts, all of which are now working to bring in more players.

Some big changes have been taking place in this city over the past few weeks. First, many of these casinos were given permission to operate at 100% capacity again. This was a crucial step to get the industry fully recovered.

Next, Governor Sisolak announced that vaccinated individuals would no longer need to wear masks. As a result, most of the casinos in this city removed their mask mandates. It’s bringing back a sense of normality here.

More restrictions are being lifted as time goes on. A new variety of entertainment options are about to become available here. Many are also excited about the grand opening of Resorts World Las Vegas on June 24.

At $4.2 billion, Resorts World LV is the most expensive casino-resort ever built in the city. Reservations will not become available until June 25. Many expect this property to draw in a huge amount of tourists.

Are you surprised to see where Atlantic City’s Q1 revenue figures stand? How do you think the city will fare throughout the rest of 2021? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Atlantic City, Casino

New Jersey’s Casino Revenue Surged Over 2021’s Q1

By James Murray

Atlantic City Casinos

New Jersey is still the largest gambling hub in the Eastern United States. The casino industry here has been improving significantly over the past few years. Reports have now confirmed that New Jersey’s casino revenue surged over the year’s first quarter.

It’s fantastic news for the casino companies operating in the state. Analysts are now predicting that gaming revenue will continue increasing as the year goes on. Now is the perfect time to talk about what has led to this state’s gambling industry improving so quickly.

Let’s get into it!

Casino Companies Continue to Invest in Atlantic City

The US is home to a huge number of major gambling hubs. Some are known to be bigger and more successful than others. Atlantic City has been a popular gambling destination for years and is now home to many world-class casino-resorts.

Gambling revenue began to steadily decline here in March of 2020. For months, all of the casinos in this city were forced to shut down. Even with the state’s regulated online gambling industry, revenue figures remained extremely low.

Casinos here were given permission to reopen in June of last year. The companies operating casinos here have been working to bring in visitors ever since. Some are choosing to undergo major renovations as a way to attract more players.

That includes the Ocean Casino-Resort. The owners of this property recently announced they will soon pay $15 million for a major renovation. The casino floor and several outdoor amenities will be improved significantly over the next few months.

Caesars is also investing an astounding $400 million into its casinos by the time 2023 comes around. This massive gaming operator clearly feels that this city will recover in a big way over the next few years. This news ended up raising Caesars’ stock price.

2021 is already proving to be an extremely successful year for the gambling industry here. We’re now beginning to hear about how much money the casinos here have already brought in.

Here’s a Look at New Jersey’s Casino Revenue in 2021’s Q1

2020 proved to be the worst year for the country’s gambling industry in history. We’ve never seen casinos across the nation forced to shut down for months at a time. It was an unprecedented situation and had a serious impact on the industry that will be felt for years.

Things are beginning to bounce back in a big way. Casino companies are finally starting to report impressive revenue figures on a monthly basis. It’s an exciting time for the gambling operators in the city of Atlantic City.

Reports on New Jersey’s casino revenue are now being released. The casinos in this state managed to bring in an incredible $993.7 million over the first three months of the year. This marks the best quarter for the state’s gambling industry in history.

Bill Miller, President and CEO of the American Gaming Association, spoke about this new development to the media this week.

“Today’s report shows gaming’s comeback is ahead of schedule,” Miller said. “Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, our industry has faced numerous challenges head-on while still reopening responsibly and providing a safe, exciting environment for customers. The gaming industry is generating these impressive results with one hand tied behind our back as capacity and amenity restrictions remain across the country.”

All of the casinos in this city have been reporting major increases in their visitation rates. Online gambling also seems to be surging throughout the state.

If all goes according to plan, the year’s second quarter will be even more successful for the state. Stay tuned for updates on the revenue situation here!

Tourism Rates are Beginning to Surge in Las Vegas

The city of Las Vegas was impacted more than any other city by the events that unfolded in 2020. The pandemic showed how vulnerable much of this city’s economy really is. The tourism industry was shut down for much of the year and is just finally beginning to recover.

It now appears that this summer will be one for the ages in Las Vegas. A huge number of people have been stuck at home for the past year. Many are looking forward to taking part in the festivities Las Vegas is beginning to offer.

Many are also looking forward to the opening of Resorts World Las Vegas. This gambling cost $4.2 billion to construct. That makes it the most expensive casino-resort ever built in the city. It’s officially slated to open its doors on June 24.

Tourism numbers are already increasing in this city. Hotel-casinos across Las Vegas are already reporting a massive surge of visitors. When nightclubs and more amenities begin opening around the city, tourism rates will continue to increase.

There are some big changes coming to Las Vegas over the next few months. Many of the biggest casino-resorts in this city are already operating at 100% capacity. We’ll be sure to report on the revenue figures here throughout the rest of the year.

Are you surprised to see where New Jersey’s casino revenue stands right now? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Atlantic City, Casino

Here’s What We Know About the Ocean Casino Renovation!

By James Murray

Ocean Casino Resort AC

Atlantic City’s casinos are currently preparing for a major surge of visitors. Many of them are now looking at ways to take advantage of this new tourism boom. Today, we’ll discuss the news of the Ocean Casino renovation!

The Ocean Casino-Resort is one of the most popular gambling venues in Atlantic City. A lot has been going on with this property lately.

Here’s what you need to know!

Atlantic City’s Gaming Industry is Poised for a Major Comeback

Atlantic City’s casino industry was essentially shut down back in March of 2020. This proved to be a devastating decision for the city’s economy. The closure of all casinos here resulted in thousands of job losses and huge revenue declines.

The casino companies here have been eagerly waiting for things to bounce back. Fortunately, online gambling platforms here have helped to make up for some of the land-based losses. Overall, gaming revenue in Atlantic City dropped by 80% over the course of 2020.

This was never going to last forever. City officials have been working hard to boost tourism rates in the city over the past six months. Things have been slowly improving throughout 2021 and analysts expect this summer to be very successful for the casinos here.

There are some good indicators that this is already taking place. Over in Las Vegas, for example, tourism rates have been steadily increasing over the past few months. Casino companies here have been seeing big increases in their gaming revenue and hotel occupancy levels.

Several other small casino destinations have been seeing their gaming revenue figures increase, too. It’s an exciting time for the industry. The country’s biggest gambling hubs are expected to see pre-pandemic levels of tourism as the months go on.

We’re seeing many casino renovations take place around the country. One has just been announced to take place at one of Atlantic City’s most popular gambling venues!

A $15 Million Ocean Casino Renovation Has Been Confirmed

Atlantic City is home to some of the most popular gambling venues on the East Coast. For more than a year, the casinos in this New Jersey casino hub have been struggling. As we just mentioned, it appears that things are set to improve here in a big way.

The Ocean Casino-Resort in Atlantic City has been making some big changes lately. This venue recently began increasing its operating hours and deals. The Ilitch family sees potential with this casino and recently purchased a major stake in it.

Today, news broke that this casino-resort will soon go under a major renovation. The owners have pledged to invest $15 into renovations of this property. It’s a huge move and one that should help to attract more visitors.

The Ocean Casino renovation will help to upgrade the casino floor and outdoor amenities including the swimming pool, cabanas, and beach area. A brand-new high-limit gaming area will be added, as well as several new guest lounges. Terry Glebocki, Ocean Resort’s CEO, spoke about the plans to the media this week.

“As restrictions are lifted and we begin reopening additional areas of our business, I am thrilled at the opportunity to present our guests with an evolving gaming experience that’s unique to the market,” he said. 

2021 is shaping up to be a massive year for this property. Ocean Casino was the only gambling venue in Atlantic City to increase its gross operating profits last year. It seems likely that it will set new records this year. Stay tuned for more updates on this venue over the next few months!

NJ’s Sports Betting Handle Increased Again in March

New Jersey’s casinos have been struggling for more than a year. That doesn’t mean the entire gambling industry here is hurting, though. This state has quickly developed the largest sports betting market in the country.

Here, both land-based and online sports betting is legal and regulated. As a result, many sports fans in New York cross into the NJ border to make bets on their favorite teams. This has helped to boost revenue as the months go on.

This past February, New Jersey’s sports betting handle dropped for the first time in months. It was a surprise for many when considering the Super Bowl took place that month. Most felt that a handle increase would be seen in March.

That prediction turned out to be correct. Reports have confirmed that New Jersey saw $859.6 million in sports betting handle last month. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported $60.8 million in taxable sports betting revenue.

Many are waiting for the handle here to surpass $1 billion. It’s come close on several occasions. As tourism increases, the odds of this taking place go up. It seems likely that this summer will be hugely successful for the sports gambling industry here.

Are you excited to hear about the Ocean Casino renovation? Do you plan on visiting this property this year? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Atlantic City, Casino

Atlantic City’s Casino Revenue Fell by Over 80% Last Year

By James Murray

Atlantic City Casinos

The US casino industry is still in a precarious position. Fortunately, things appear to be improving in most parts of the country. We are continuing to hear more about how devastating the events of last year were for this industry, though. New reports have surfaced that shed light on how much Atlantic City’s casino revenue fell in 2020.

Today, we’ll discuss the revenue figures here. We’ll also talk about how Atlantic City is faring through 2021.

Let’s get into it!

Tourism Numbers are Increasing in Major Casino Hubs

A huge number of US industries have taken massive revenue hits over the past year. Essentially any business that relies on tourism has been suffering. The casino industry, in particular, saw massive revenue declines over the past year.

There have been many reports on these fluctuating revenue figures. Cities such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City were simply unprepared to see their tourism industries come to a screeching halt. To make things worse, no one knew when things would begin to recover.

It’s now clear that this industry is beginning to recover. There has been a major surge of tourism into Las Vegas over the past couple of months. Interestingly, the city is seeing a huge increase of visitors over the age of 50 lately.

Atlantic City is seeing its tourism industry bounce back in a major way, too. The casinos here have been adjusting their hours as a result of this new surge. The entertainment options are increasing and new travel deals are appearing.

It will likely take years for Atlantic City to completely recover. There is a lot happening in this city that will help to speed up this recovery. Several major companies are now choosing to invest in the casino industry here with hopes of seeing a major revenue surge over the next few months.

As the months go on, we’re starting to hear more about the effects that 2020 had on different casino hubs. Here’s a look at how much revenue Atlantic City lost last year.

Here’s How Much Atlantic City’s Casino Revenue Dropped in 2020

Between March and July, the casino industry in Atlantic City was completely shut down. Governor Phil Murphy did not allow any land-based gaming venues to open their doors. Doing so would have likely resulted in a spike in infections.

Officials in Atlantic City immediately began complaining about the regulations set in place. Tens of thousands of individuals were left without work due to the casino shutdowns. Many businesses were forced to shut their doors, too.

New reports have just surfaced that show Atlantic City’s casino revenue dropped by an astounding 80% over the course of 2020. Overall, the casinos here reported $117.5 million in gross operating profits last year. That is down considerably from the $594 million earned the year prior.

James Plousis, chair of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, spoke about this situation to the media this week.

“Atlantic City and its casinos endured their most challenging year in history,” he said. “Yet, through responsible management, the casinos proved that in-person gaming could happen safely. As tourists return to the shore, they can have every confidence Atlantic City is safe for the summer.”

Plousis is correct in his assertion that Atlantic City is poised for a comeback. As we mentioned earlier, gaming revenue here is gradually increasing throughout the year. As vaccine distribution increases, tourism will surge and the economic situation here will improve. Stay tuned for updates!

2021 is Shaping Up to be Huge for the US Sports Betting Industry

The casino industry may take years to completely recover. Things are beginning to recover in a big way, yet no one can accurately say when this will be completely recovered. The sports betting industry, however, continues to surge.

The US Supreme Court struck down PASPA back in May of 2018. This decision gave every state in the country the ability to legalize sports betting. More than half the country has already chosen to do so.

It seems as if 2021 will be the most successful year for the sports gambling industry to date. All professional sports are up and running again and fans are beginning to be allowed back inside arenas. There are likely to be millions of Americans that choose to bet on sports for the first time this year.

February ended up being a poor month for this industry. Winning Super Bowl bets led to revenue declines for many states. March is expected to be a fantastic year for this industry and many expect states to set new records.

Atlantic City’s casino revenue is beginning to increase. The sports betting industry set in place here will help to make up for some of the losses. It is finally looking like the gambling industry is ready to recover.

Are you surprised to see how much casino revenue dropped in Atlantic City last year? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Atlantic City’s Tourism Rates Could Soon Begin to Surge

By Nickolas Branson

Atlantic City Casinos

Atlantic City, like all other major casino destinations, is continuing to work on bringing in more tourists. It hasn’t been easy lately, yet there are some signs that things are beginning to improve. New reports claim we could see a major surge in Atlantic City’s tourism rates soon.

That’s fantastic news for the casino companies here. Many of the other non-gaming businesses that rely on tourism have reason to be excited. Today, we’ll discuss what will help Atlantic City bring in more visitors.

Here’s what we know!

New Jersey’s Sports Betting Industry is Still Thriving

New Jersey was one of the first states to formally legalize sports betting after PASPA was struck down in mid-2018. This has proven to be a fantastic decision for the state. This industry is helping to bring New Jersey an extraordinary amount of revenue each month.

Amazingly, these revenue figures seem to be increasing. The state set new sports betting handle records throughout 2020. It now seems destined to do the same in 2021. January proved to be a very successful month for the casinos in Atlantic City that operate sportsbooks.

These sportsbooks managed to bring in a total of $86.2 million in revenue that month. In total, $958.7 million was placed on sports in January. That includes both land-based and online sports wagers. The latter is proving to generate far more revenue.

New Jersey is now closing in on a historic $1 billion sports betting handle. Most analysts now feel that this state is the sports betting capital of the US. It is drawing in a huge number of sports bettors from New York who only need to cross into the New Jersey border to make bets on their favorite teams and players.

New York is currently looking into the legalization of online sports betting. This would likely result in a slight drop in New Jersey’s monthly revenue figures. It will take a lot for any state to surpass New Jersey’s industry, though.

Sports betting is helping many companies in New Jersey cope with the drop in tourism. Fortunately, it seems that a surge of new visitors to this city could be just around the corner.

Here’s Why Atlantic City’s Tourism Rates Could Soon Increase

Atlantic City is a city that relies heavily on tourism. When the casinos shut down in March of 2020, many of the businesses here immediately began to suffer. Tourism rates have been slowly increasing here over the past few months.

Land-based revenue is still far behind what it should be, though. Casinos are doing what they can to change this trend. Until the city sees a major surge of tourism, however, the revenue earned from brick-and-mortar casinos will remain low.

There are many that now believe tourism rates in Atlantic City are about to surge. Recently, Stockton University’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism conducted a poll asking people if they planned to visit Atlantic City. The results are giving the companies in this city reason to celebrate.

More than 70% of those polled revealed they expected to make a trip to this city in 2021. Over 42% claim they have already made a trip here. As more restrictions are lifted, more people around the country are becoming interested in visiting this casino hub.

Jane Bokunewicz, one of the coordinators of this poll, offered some insight into what is leading to this tourism boost.

“The casinos and other dining and entertainment venues have done a good job implementing COVID-19 safety measures while also still providing the experiences visitors expect when they come to Atlantic City,” she said. “Even as restrictions are gradually lifted, and more people get a vaccine, the venues will still have to demonstrate that they are taking all necessary precautions to make visitors feel welcomed and safe.”

Will Atlantic City see 2019-level tourism rates soon? Probably not. If all goes according to plan, however, there will be a significant boost in tourism here over the next few months.

Las Vegas Casinos Prepare for Easing of Restrictions

Atlantic City isn’t the only major casino hubs with high expectations. Over in Las Vegas, casino companies are preparing for a new wave of tourism over the summer. If all goes according to plan, Governor Sisolak will once again announce a new easing back of the regulations here.

This is looking more likely every day. In mid-February, Sisolak began allowing casinos in Las Vegas to begin operating at 35% capacity. Restaurants can also now begin operating without requiring reservations.

Sisolak continues to ease back on restrictions. Much like Atlantic City, this is resulting in a major tourism boom. If infection rates continue to drop, many of the most popular entertainment options in Las Vegas will be given permission to resume, as well.

There are some exciting venues scheduled to open their doors in this city soon. That includes the Virgin Hotel-Casino. Virgin has invested a tremendous amount of money into this casino and hope its opening will help to boost tourism in las Vegas.

Resorts World Las Vegas will be opening its doors this summer. At $4.2 billion, it is the most expensive casino-resort even built in Las Vegas. There will be many interested in seeing this new venue open after years of construction.

Do you expect to see tourism rates in Atlantic City increasing soon? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Atlantic City, Casino

Hard Rock Atlantic City is Giving Out Big Employee Bonuses

By Nickolas Branson

Hard Rock Atlantic City

Atlantic City’s casino industry has been through a lot lately. The same can be said for the thousands of individuals that work inside these venues. Fortunately, news is now breaking that Hard Rock Atlantic City plans to give out an incredible $1 million worth of bonuses to its employees.

It’s great news for the workers here. Atlantic City still has a long road to get back to normal, though. Today, we’ll discuss Hard Rock’s plans and look at how some of the other casinos in New Jersey are faring right now.

Let’s get into it!

New Jersey’s Casino Revenue is Down, Sports Betting Revenue is Up

Back in the 1980s, Atlantic City developed into one of the country’s premier gambling destinations. Major developers moved into the city and opened world-class casinos. Tourism numbers began to boom and revenue was increasing every month.

Things began to decline throughout the 90s and by the mid-2000s, this city was struggling immensely. Many of the casinos here were forced to permanently close their doors. There was a time when it seemed like Atlantic City would never recover.

Incredibly, things began to turn around in mid-2018 when the Supreme Court removed PASPA, giving New Jersey the ability to finally legalize sports betting. Many sportsbooks almost instantly began operating. This led to a surge of new tourism and valuable revenue for the casinos here.

Unfortunately, 2020 halted much of the progress the casinos have been making lately. For several months of the year, the casinos here were forced to completely shut down. When they finally did reopen, they were forced to operate at a limited capacity and with intense regulations set in place.

Casino revenue remains low here. Sports betting, however, has been on a steady rise in New Jersey. Online sports gambling has been surging particularly high lately. The state’s sports betting operations are expected to bring in a huge amount of revenue as Super Bowl LV approaches.

Hard Rock Atlantic City continues to struggle. Despite that fact, the casino plans to give its guests bonuses over the next few weeks.

Hard Rock Atlantic City Employees Are Set to Receive Bonuses

Casino workers have been under some serious stress lately. A huge number of them were laid off after the casino shutdowns in March. Many casinos are now reopened, yet continue to see low visitation rates.

The Hard Rock Hotel-Casino in Atlantic City opened its doors again over the summer. Since that time, Hard Rock has been working hard to bring in more players. It hasn’t been easy and no one seems to know when things will begin to return to normal.

This week, news broke that Hard Rock Atlantic City is set to give out $1 million worth of bonuses to its employees. More than 2,000 of the casino’s employees are set to receive one of these bonuses. It comes as a thank-you to the workers who have worked during these difficult times.

Hard Rock Chairman Jim Allen spoke about the company’s new plans to the media this week.

“We believe that this continued support of our employees, and our belief that this will continue to enhance our respect and appreciation that we’ve provided to them and that they have given back to us, will continue to grow customer service in the property, and more importantly, continue to separate us from the rest of the industry,” he said. “We know Atlantic City still has a great history behind it, and still has a better history in front of it.”

It has been confirmed that these bonuses will be reflected in the paychecks distributed this week. The specific amounts will vary depending on every worker’s position. It’s a fantastic move for Hard Rock and one that its employees can appreciate.

Officials within Hard Rock are optimistic that things will improve as the year goes on. Just about all of the other casino companies are hopeful of this, as well.

NJ Casinos Hope for a Tourism Boom by Summertime

2020 seemed to prove how vulnerable the US casino industry really is. If tourism stops, casinos are unable to bring in players. That is exactly what happened in places like Macau, Las Vegas, and Atlantic City.

Casinos are still doing everything they can to bring in more players. Boosting tourism isn’t as easy as it might sound at a time like this, though. Many major casinos are now hoping that with effective vaccine distribution, travel will begin to surge around the country.

No one seems to know what to expect. Some feel that vaccine distribution will end up allowing more to take trips. Some analysts believe most will want to travel within the US and to fun entertainment hubs such as Atlantic City.

There are some who are less optimistic, though. New variants of the virus spreading around the country cast doubt on vaccine efficacy. That could lead to additional surges around the country and more travel restrictions being set in place.

It’s a difficult time for the entire casino industry. Fortunately, there are some good things taking place with casinos in different parts of the country. Hard Rock Atlantic City is even working hard to give its employees bonuses right now.

When do you expect Atlantic City to return to normal? Let us know in the comments section below!