Casino Revenues In Atlantic City

Ever since casino gambling began here in 1978, revenue at the gambling halls has been on a one-way trip — straight up.

But for the first time, annual revenue from Atlantic City's casinos could decline in 2007. The industry faces increased competition from slot machines in neighboring states, new restrictions on smoking and the closing of one casino.

The first monthly revenue figures of the new year were down, raising concern that it could be the start of a yearlong trend.

If revenue does go down, it could have negative consequences for the industry, its customers and the state of New Jersey, which relies on casino taxes.
"There will be an impact, no doubt," said Carlos Tolosa, eastern division president for Harrah's Entertainment Inc. "The Pennsylvania slots parlors will certainly cause competition. In the past, people just came to Atlantic City. That's the part that always scares you. Atlantic City relies on high-frequency customers."

Already, Pennsylvania slots parlors are cutting into Atlantic City's pie. Figures for January, when Atlantic City went head-to-head with two new Philadelphia-area slots parlors, had New Jersey casino executives reaching for the antacid tablets. Overall revenue at Atlantic City casinos declined 2.9 percent compared with a year ago, but the decline in slots revenue was even sharper at 7.2 percent.

Philadelphia Park, in Bensalem Township, about 20 miles north of Philadelphia, opened Dec. 19. Harrah's Chester Casino and Racetrack opened on Jan. 22. Executives of those gambling halls said they targeted gamblers who otherwise would have gone to Atlantic City.

On the Atlantic City Expressway, among the billboards featuring local entertainers and buffet deals, one billboard for Delaware Park Racetrack in Wilmington beckons departing drivers to "come play with us" next time.

But what's bad for the casinos may be good for their customers, at least in the short term. Many observers say they expect casinos to be even more aggressive about offering financial incentives such as free rooms or show tickets to keep players coming.

Also, a revenue dip may only accelerate a movement already well under way here: Making sure there's a lot more to do in Atlantic City than just gamble.

"Clearly, Atlantic City recognizes that for its overall revenue to grow, it has to become less gaming-centric," said Joseph Weinert, vice president of Spectrum Gaming Group, a casino consulting firm. "A majority of Atlantic City's customers will be able to play slots somewhere closer to home. Atlantic City has to give them a compelling reason to drive farther, stay longer and spend more."

Lorrie Harm came to the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa to play the slots, when she easily could have gone to a Philadelphia-area facility near her home in Cherry Hill.
"The restaurants are great, and I love to shop," she said. "I like the atmosphere here. There's more to do."

Weinert said he expects overall 2007 revenues to be about flat, with a possible fluctuation of 1 percent above or below the break-even point. But Frank Fantini, publisher of The Gaming Morning Report, says a decline of as much as 5 percent is possible this year.

In 2006, Atlantic City's revenues came in at $5.2 billion, up 4 percent from the year before.

The closing in November of The Sands Casino and Hotel is also expected to hurt the bottom line.
"Some of that money will flow to other casinos, but some of it won't be recovered until another property takes its place," said Fantini. There are now 11 Atlantic City casinos, down from 12 last year.

Smoking restrictions are another wild card. As of April 15, casinos must designate at least 75 percent of their gambling floors as smoke-free. The industry is worried about losing its smoking patrons, as well as the millions of dollars it will cost each property to wall off smoking areas and install expensive ventilation systems.

The state has an interest in keeping casino revenues flowing as well. The casinos pay 8 percent tax on their gross revenues, and pay another 1.25 percent toward projects approved by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. Last year, that worked out to $417.5 million in revenue taxes, and $65.2 million in reinvestment obligations.

But even if revenues decline this year, almost no one thinks it would be an irreversible trend. Tolosa, the Harrah's president, noted that casinos shut down last July during a state budget crisis, a revenue loss he doesn't expect to recur this year.

Three casinos are adding 2,500 hotel rooms over the next several years, and still other companies are considering building new gaming halls here.

"I don't think anybody doubts that long-term, Atlantic City is going to remain a powerhouse," Fantini said.

So, for the first time since they opened, casino revenues are down in Atlantic City. This, however, should not come as a huge surprise. As the article states, "there is competition" all around. You have slot parlors in Pennsylvania and slots at ractracks in Delaware. Not to mention that more and more states and areas are offering gaming these days.

The problem though extends further than just AC. It is consistant throughout the US these days. For a variety of reasons. A lack of "foreign tourist" is a big part of the problem. They have other "alternatives" to take advantage of these days. You can pretty much go anywhere in Europe or Asian countries these days and find Disney Worlds, Universal Studios, Marine Water Parks, and, yes, "state of the art casinos"! They are closer to home for a lot of these people. They are cheaper and less expensive to get to. And, they do not have to go through the security bs they have to deal with here in the US. Oh, and based on some intell that I just recently got, "our technology is following far behind some areas of the world".

In closing, what I am saying is, "the whole gaming, entertainment, and tourist industry needs to start looking further into the future and start trying to come up with "the next BIG thing".

Now if you just want to get away without caring about any of that materialistic crap. You can always go to Hawaii and get some natural beauty and soak up some rays. And, it does not have to cost you a fortune. My brother, Bill, has a vacation rental on the Big Island that is waiting for you.Vacation Rentals .com - Keaau Hawaii Patience & Malikai's Place Check out the link and start planning your vaca now!

Peace & Soulz,

Bobby Sharpewww.myspace.com/akuasharpe