Atlantic City’s mega-casinos are opposed to a new generation of smaller, cheaper gaming halls coming to “an already saturated market” and creating even more competition.
The Casino Association of New Jersey, the trade group representing Atlantic City’s gambling industry, has objected to legislation passed by the state Senate that would make it easier for developers to build two “boutique” casinos on the Boardwalk.
The association said competition from gaming markets in surrounding states has already put Atlantic City under great strain, resulting in the closings of the Atlantic Club, Showboat, Revel and Trump Plaza casinos last year.
“In view of these circumstances, the city clearly does not need any more gaming product,” the association said in a statement.
By a 39-0 vote last Thursday, the Senate eased requirements of a 2011 law that originally allowed for the development of two boutique casinos on the Boardwalk. The changes eliminate the requirement that at least one of the microcasinos eventually expand from 200 to 500 hotel rooms.
The original bill also required developers to build their projects from scratch, but the new legislation allows existing non-casino hotels to convert themselves into smaller-scale gaming halls. That change has prompted strong criticism from the casino association.
“Changing the rules that have been in place for close to four decades in order to add additional gaming inventory to an already saturated market would be harmful and, quite frankly, counterproductive to Atlantic City’s overall revitalisation efforts,” the association said.
