The American Gaming Association has welcomed the Governor of New Jersey's proposed reforms intended to revitalise Atlantic City's gaming industry.
The New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Advisory Commission, which was established by Governor Chris Christie in February, made a number of recommendations to improve Atlantic City’s competitiveness.
Noting that since 2007 the city has been in "serious decline", the commission reported that the gaming industry has lost more than 25 per cent of its gross revenue base and employment has fallen from 50,000 jobs to 38,000.
Among the commission’s recommendations is the creation of a new tourism district under the control of the state, as well as a new ‘master plan’ for the district that focuses on encouraging new entrants to develop additional gaming attractions and proposals aimed at boosting the city’s financial stability in order to attract other operators to ownership of the eleven existing casinos and any new ones.
The AGA said the Governor’s plans for a more effective partnership between the state and business will have a positive impact upon Atlantic City’s gaming industry.
"The gaming industry has always been and will continue to be committed to the community of Atlantic City, and we are looking forward to working with the governor’s office to move the industry and the region forward," Frank Fahrenkopf, president and CEO of the AGA, told InterGaming. "We applaud the governor’s efforts to boost tourism and visitation to all of the area’s attractions, including our casinos.
"We will be watching closely as the state legislature addresses Governor Christie’s proposals in the weeks and months ahead. We anticipate a bright future for the region."
A full report will appear in the September issue of InterGaming.
