Here is a look at how gambling revenue and employment have changed since casinos launched in Atlantic City in 1978:
___
May 26, 1978: Resorts Atlantic City opens.
Casino revenue: $134 million
Casino employment: 3,300
___
- Combined Facility Report: Atlantic City Casinos, 2011 Data on games, devices, revenue, and square footage. Atlantic City Gaming Revenue Statistics for Casino, Slot, and Table Win, 1978-2013. Atlantic City Historical Slot Machine Data Number of machines, win, hold percentage, and win per slot, from 1978 to 2013. Baccarat: A Longitudinal Micro.
- For the year, though, Atlantic City's casinos won $3.3 billion, which is down 6.9 percent from 2010. It marked the fifth year in a row that Atlantic City casino revenue has declined, hurt.
- As Atlantic City casinos are a significant source of tax revenue for the state and fuel the economy in the area, Murphy naturally had to address their fate. His main position is that data shows the casinos have been acting responsibly throughout the pandemic.
June 26, 1979: Caesars Atlantic City opens.
Dec. 29, 1979: Bally's Atlantic City opens.
Through the first 10 months of this year, casino gaming taxes have declined by $12.7 million, or roughly 5.5%, compared to the same period in 2019, the Press of Atlantic City reports.
Casino revenue: $325 million
Casino employment: 11,300
___
Aug. 13, 1980: Sands Casino Hotel opens.
Nov. 23, 1980: Harrah's Atlantic City opens.
Dec. 9, 1980: Atlantic City Hilton opens. (It closed January 2014 as the Atlantic Club.)
Casino revenue: $642 million
Casino employment: 23,500
___
Nov. 23, 1981: Tropicana Casino and Resort opens.
Casino revenue: $1 billion
Casino employment: 28,300
___
May 14, 1984: Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino opens.
Casino revenue: $1.9 billion
Casino employment: 35,968
___
June 17, 1985: Trump Marina Hotel Casino (now the Golden Nugget) opens.
Casino revenue: $2.1 billion
Casino employment: 37,004
___
March 30, 1987: Showboat Casino Hotel opens.
Casino revenue: $2.4 billion
Casino employment: 39,351
___
April 2, 1990: Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort opens.
Casino revenue: $2.9 billion
Casino employment: 45,241
___
July 2, 2003: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opens.
Casino revenue: $4.4 billion
Casino employment: 42,378
___
Nov. 11, 2006: Sands Casino Hotel closes.
Casino revenue: $5.2 billion
Casino employment: 45,101
___
April 2, 2012: Revel Casino Hotel opens.
Casino revenue: $3 billion
Casino employment: 35,777
___
Jan. 13, 2014: Atlantic Club closes.
Casino revenue: $2.8 billion
Casino employment: 30,676
___
July-August 2014: Showboat, Trump Plaza, Revel announce impending closures.
Casino revenue: $1.3 billion (January-June 2014)
Casino employment: 31,960
___
Aug. 31, 2014: Showboat closes
Sept. 1-2, 2014: Revel closes
Casino revenue: $1.5 billion (January-July 2014)
Casino employment: 31,777
___
Sept. 16, 2016: Trump Plaza scheduled to close
Sources: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Casino Control Commission, AP research.
The lights are still on inside Atlantic City casinos.
However, casino operators and state government officials around the country continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of good options for mitigation seems to dwindle with each passing day. New Jersey casinos are by no means an exception to this new rule.
Although Atlantic City properties remain open with restrictions, it's uncertain how much longer that will be the case. Relevant trends in the Garden State are going in the wrong direction.
The latest on Atlantic City casinos and COVID-19
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy has been upfront with his constituents on a daily basis about the worsening numbers in the state.
NEW JERSEY #COVID19 UPDATE:
➡️4,320 new positive cases
➡️293,744 cumulative total cases
➡️34 new confirmed deaths
➡️14,877 total deaths
The second wave is here. We MUST flatten this curve together. Wear a mask. Social distance. Wash your hands.https://t.co/JW1q8awGh7pic.twitter.com/konGYeQWK8
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 19, 2020
On Tuesday, Murphy signed a new executive order that lowered gathering limits for both indoor and outdoor venues. As of Nov. 23, New Jerseyians may only gather in groups of up to 10 indoors. For outdoor gatherings, the limit is 150 people. In both cases, the state expects proper social distancing and wearing of face masks.
As Atlantic City casinos are a significant source of tax revenue for the state and fuel the economy in the area, Murphy naturally had to address their fate. His main position is that data shows the casinos have been acting responsibly throughout the pandemic.
'We believe, based on the evidence that we have, that they've been able to responsibly manage their casino floors,' Murphy said during a briefing with other state officials on Wednesday. 'Whether it's through (personal protective equipment), whether it's through dividers, capacity management, temperature checks, review of symptoms checks with people who go onto the floor, which is happening in all the casinos … there is not any evidence that there is either bad management of the floor or that there is a big outbreak coming from participating on the floor.'
Murphy did not elaborate on what evidence he drew that conclusion from. The most likely candidate is contact tracing for positive cases, which identifies the sources of transmission if done correctly.
The question is whether casinos can maintain their current status if trends continue to worsen. Casino operators seem determined to do all they can to maintain the reputation they have earned.
Casino industry not curtailing business
So far, none of the AC casinos have announced any major plans to further reduce their hours or offerings. A statement from the Casino Association of New Jersey mentions one adjustment, however:
'The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) understands the administration's concerns, and that is why the industry has taken extraordinary measures to safely welcome back thousands of hardworking employees and valued guests, while also helping to minimize the exposure of Atlantic City casino property guests, our employees and our local community to the COVID-19 virus.
'We will continue to work to give our guests the exciting experience they have come to expect from our first-class properties:
- Casino floor and gaming operations will remain open, uninterrupted, 24/7.
- Indoor dining outlets will remain open, closing between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. ET, effective this Thursday, Nov. 12.
'As we see a rise in cases across New Jersey, we are focused on the health and safety of our employees, guests and fellow residents and will continue to work with AtlantiCare, our regional health care provider, as well as local and state officials, to refine and update our protocols as local and state mandates evolve. We remain dedicated to complying with, or exceeding, local or state-imposed mandates, restrictions and occupancy limits to try to maintain a healthy environment.'
Casino closings in other states
Despite those best efforts, Murphy's hesitancy to close casinos for a second time this year may soon make him an outlier. Earlier today, Rivers Casino in neighboring Philadelphia closed.
The well-being of our Team Members, guests & the community is our top priority. We will be temporarily closed effective Fri, Nov. 20, to follow @PHLPublicHealth's order to close public venues. We appreciate your support!
.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. pic.twitter.com/HEPtOdWvXg
— Rivers Casino Philadelphia (@riverscasinophl) November 19, 2020
The City of Philadelphia announced 'Safer at Home' restrictions that will be in place through Jan. 1, 2021. The list also includes:
- Indoor dining
- Theaters and museums
- Libraries
- Gyms and indoor exercise classes
For now, Rivers Philadelphia is the only Keystone State casino impacted. The other gaming halls are outside the city limits.
Other states are taking a similar approach. In Michigan, all three Detroit casinos are closed for three weeks. Illinois has ordered casinos within its borders to close, too.
Casino Tax Revenue Atlantic City
Additionally, Massachusetts has limited hours for its casinos.
As of now, Atlantic City casinos are still open for gambling.
Atlantic City Weather Next 7 Days
Dec. 29, 1979: Bally's Atlantic City opens.
Through the first 10 months of this year, casino gaming taxes have declined by $12.7 million, or roughly 5.5%, compared to the same period in 2019, the Press of Atlantic City reports.
Casino revenue: $325 million
Casino employment: 11,300
___
Aug. 13, 1980: Sands Casino Hotel opens.
Nov. 23, 1980: Harrah's Atlantic City opens.
Dec. 9, 1980: Atlantic City Hilton opens. (It closed January 2014 as the Atlantic Club.)
Casino revenue: $642 million
Casino employment: 23,500
___
Nov. 23, 1981: Tropicana Casino and Resort opens.
Casino revenue: $1 billion
Casino employment: 28,300
___
May 14, 1984: Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino opens.
Casino revenue: $1.9 billion
Casino employment: 35,968
___
June 17, 1985: Trump Marina Hotel Casino (now the Golden Nugget) opens.
Casino revenue: $2.1 billion
Casino employment: 37,004
___
March 30, 1987: Showboat Casino Hotel opens.
Casino revenue: $2.4 billion
Casino employment: 39,351
___
April 2, 1990: Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort opens.
Casino revenue: $2.9 billion
Casino employment: 45,241
___
July 2, 2003: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opens.
Casino revenue: $4.4 billion
Casino employment: 42,378
___
Nov. 11, 2006: Sands Casino Hotel closes.
Casino revenue: $5.2 billion
Casino employment: 45,101
___
April 2, 2012: Revel Casino Hotel opens.
Casino revenue: $3 billion
Casino employment: 35,777
___
Jan. 13, 2014: Atlantic Club closes.
Casino revenue: $2.8 billion
Casino employment: 30,676
___
July-August 2014: Showboat, Trump Plaza, Revel announce impending closures.
Casino revenue: $1.3 billion (January-June 2014)
Casino employment: 31,960
___
Aug. 31, 2014: Showboat closes
Sept. 1-2, 2014: Revel closes
Casino revenue: $1.5 billion (January-July 2014)
Casino employment: 31,777
___
Sept. 16, 2016: Trump Plaza scheduled to close
Sources: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Casino Control Commission, AP research.
The lights are still on inside Atlantic City casinos.
However, casino operators and state government officials around the country continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of good options for mitigation seems to dwindle with each passing day. New Jersey casinos are by no means an exception to this new rule.
Although Atlantic City properties remain open with restrictions, it's uncertain how much longer that will be the case. Relevant trends in the Garden State are going in the wrong direction.
The latest on Atlantic City casinos and COVID-19
NJ Gov. Phil Murphy has been upfront with his constituents on a daily basis about the worsening numbers in the state.
NEW JERSEY #COVID19 UPDATE:
➡️4,320 new positive cases
➡️293,744 cumulative total cases
➡️34 new confirmed deaths
➡️14,877 total deaths
The second wave is here. We MUST flatten this curve together. Wear a mask. Social distance. Wash your hands.https://t.co/JW1q8awGh7pic.twitter.com/konGYeQWK8
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) November 19, 2020
On Tuesday, Murphy signed a new executive order that lowered gathering limits for both indoor and outdoor venues. As of Nov. 23, New Jerseyians may only gather in groups of up to 10 indoors. For outdoor gatherings, the limit is 150 people. In both cases, the state expects proper social distancing and wearing of face masks.
As Atlantic City casinos are a significant source of tax revenue for the state and fuel the economy in the area, Murphy naturally had to address their fate. His main position is that data shows the casinos have been acting responsibly throughout the pandemic.
'We believe, based on the evidence that we have, that they've been able to responsibly manage their casino floors,' Murphy said during a briefing with other state officials on Wednesday. 'Whether it's through (personal protective equipment), whether it's through dividers, capacity management, temperature checks, review of symptoms checks with people who go onto the floor, which is happening in all the casinos … there is not any evidence that there is either bad management of the floor or that there is a big outbreak coming from participating on the floor.'
Murphy did not elaborate on what evidence he drew that conclusion from. The most likely candidate is contact tracing for positive cases, which identifies the sources of transmission if done correctly.
The question is whether casinos can maintain their current status if trends continue to worsen. Casino operators seem determined to do all they can to maintain the reputation they have earned.
Casino industry not curtailing business
So far, none of the AC casinos have announced any major plans to further reduce their hours or offerings. A statement from the Casino Association of New Jersey mentions one adjustment, however:
'The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) understands the administration's concerns, and that is why the industry has taken extraordinary measures to safely welcome back thousands of hardworking employees and valued guests, while also helping to minimize the exposure of Atlantic City casino property guests, our employees and our local community to the COVID-19 virus.
'We will continue to work to give our guests the exciting experience they have come to expect from our first-class properties:
- Casino floor and gaming operations will remain open, uninterrupted, 24/7.
- Indoor dining outlets will remain open, closing between the hours of 10 p.m. and 5 a.m. ET, effective this Thursday, Nov. 12.
'As we see a rise in cases across New Jersey, we are focused on the health and safety of our employees, guests and fellow residents and will continue to work with AtlantiCare, our regional health care provider, as well as local and state officials, to refine and update our protocols as local and state mandates evolve. We remain dedicated to complying with, or exceeding, local or state-imposed mandates, restrictions and occupancy limits to try to maintain a healthy environment.'
Casino closings in other states
Despite those best efforts, Murphy's hesitancy to close casinos for a second time this year may soon make him an outlier. Earlier today, Rivers Casino in neighboring Philadelphia closed.
The well-being of our Team Members, guests & the community is our top priority. We will be temporarily closed effective Fri, Nov. 20, to follow @PHLPublicHealth's order to close public venues. We appreciate your support!
.
Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER. pic.twitter.com/HEPtOdWvXg
— Rivers Casino Philadelphia (@riverscasinophl) November 19, 2020
The City of Philadelphia announced 'Safer at Home' restrictions that will be in place through Jan. 1, 2021. The list also includes:
- Indoor dining
- Theaters and museums
- Libraries
- Gyms and indoor exercise classes
For now, Rivers Philadelphia is the only Keystone State casino impacted. The other gaming halls are outside the city limits.
Other states are taking a similar approach. In Michigan, all three Detroit casinos are closed for three weeks. Illinois has ordered casinos within its borders to close, too.
Casino Tax Revenue Atlantic City
Additionally, Massachusetts has limited hours for its casinos.
As of now, Atlantic City casinos are still open for gambling.
Atlantic City Weather Next 7 Days
Atlantic City Weather
Murphy might take smaller steps, like shutting down indoor dining, before closing AC casinos altogether. If there's not a marked improvement in COVID-19 numbers soon, he may have few other choices.
