In-person revenue for Atlantic City casinos took a significant hit in the month of April, with a 6% decrease compared to the previous year. This decline comes as a surprise to many industry experts, as the city had been experiencing a positive trend in gambling revenue over the past few months.
According to data from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, the nine casinos in Atlantic City collectively brought in $203.3 million in revenue in April, down from $216.4 million in April 2020. This decline can be attributed to a variety of factors, including the ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and increased competition from online gambling options.
One of the biggest contributors to the drop in revenue was the decrease in in-person visits to the casinos. With capacity restrictions still in place due to the pandemic, many patrons chose to stay home and gamble online instead of venturing out to the physical casinos. This shift in consumer behavior has had a direct impact on the bottom line for the casinos in Atlantic City.
Despite the decrease in in-person revenue, online gambling continues to thrive in Atlantic City. In April, online gambling revenue reached a record high of $108.2 million, representing a 42% increase compared to the previous year. This surge in online gambling revenue helped to offset some of the losses from the decline in in-person revenue.
Industry experts are optimistic that the in-person revenue for Atlantic City casinos will bounce back in the coming months as more people become vaccinated and capacity restrictions are eased. Additionally, the casinos are continuing to implement new safety measures to ensure the health and well-being of their patrons, which will likely attract more visitors to the physical locations.
Overall, while the 6% decrease in in-person revenue for Atlantic City casinos in April is disappointing, industry experts remain hopeful for a strong recovery in the months ahead. With online gambling revenue on the rise and continued efforts to attract more visitors to the physical casinos, Atlantic City is poised for a successful rebound in the near future.
