Atlantic City Casinos See Slight Increase in Revenue

Atlantic City must overcome many obstacles in order to remain the top spot for casino visitors in the northeastern United States. So far this year they saw new competition from New York and Pennsylvania as both states approved new locations for slot parlors. West Virginia's new table game proposal could also take away from Atlantic City revenue. Amidst all the competition, however, it was reported today that Atlantic City revenue for the first quarter was up 1.3% from last year's first quarter.

It is not a huge increase by any means, but it is much better than a decrease, which is what expert analysts were predicting.

Robert LaFleur, an Atlantic City casino analyst said today about the increase that, "It's not a spectacular number, but given the fact that there is more competition from Pennsylvania, and the consumer is said to be in a funk because of high gas prices, and the fact that there's one less property in the market, a 1.3 percent increase is a respectable performance."

The biggest hit of all, however, has not happened yet. Sunday is when a complete smoking ban that the city successfully avoided for the past two years will finally be implemented. There will be no designated smoking areas and patrons will have no choice but to leave the casino building completely in order to relax with a smoke.

Once the ban goes into effect, the second quarter earnings are expected to drop. That is what the analysts say, however the actually second quarter revenue reports will not be available until July.

For now the city is looking at the slight increase in revenue as a success and a positive sign of things to come.

April 10, 2007
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com    Previous Page | Internet Gambling | Top Online Casinos | Submit News!