Atlantic City Gaming Is Up Again
by KYW's David Madden
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ (CBS) -- April was another UP month for the 8 casinos in Atlantic City.
Year to date numbers from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement show revenues, or what the industry calls "gaming win," at just under $813 million. That's 4.4% better than 2015.
Matt Levinson, chairman of the Casino Control Commission, believes the turnaround comes thanks, in large part, to downsizing the business from 12 casinos two years ago.
"The eight casinos are becoming more profitable," Levinson told KYW Newsradio. "They're spending more money into their casinos. They're bringing more people into town. And they're doing a very good job at keeping the customers."
The largest percentage increase came at Resorts, which saw their numbers go up 12.7%. Five of the 8 casinos had more revenue coming in. Of the three that saw a drop, Harrah's and Caesar's saw declines of 4.3%. Internet gaming revenue was up almost 30% from a year ago.
Levinson noted the ongoing problems with funding the government of Atlantic City, where state legislators may soon vote on a compromise plan for a takeover of municipal operations.
"There's other issues that are happening in the peripheral," he said, "but as far as the casinos themselves and the tourism here in Atlantic City, we're doing what we do every day and we're strong and people are having a good time."