April 2022 Snapshots
In LIGHT of the data.
In the April 2022 gross gaming revenue numbers from the state Division of Gaming Enforcement we see the continuation of an overall pattern of recovery for Atlantic City’s casino operators. Brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue totals for the month improved over last month’s $216.6 million and last year’s $189.6 million by 8.6 and 24.1% respectively, and improved 13.3% over pre-pandemic April 2019 ($207.6 million).
With the return of warmer weather and the promise of a solid summer tourism season on the horizon, we should expect to see brick and mortar gross gaming revenue numbers gradually increase month-to-month as we head into the peak summer season.
Factors that contributed to increases in revenue last year - like pent-up demand and increased discretionary spending money because of COVID-19 subsidies - may be offset this year by inflation and higher gas prices, however we are not yet seeing evidence of this impact in the spring revenue numbers. Staffing shortages will likely continue to impact summer 2022 but may be mitigated by the return of foreign workers. While COVID remains a concern, the public seems to be returning to pre-pandemic social behavior by attending large gatherings, traveling more, and socializing with friends.
For a more through discussion and forecast of the upcoming summer 2022 tourism season, please see a recap and full recording of LIGHT’s 14th Annual Jersey Shorecast HERE.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Monthly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) |
April 2022 |
% Change from Prior Year | April 2021 | YTD April 2022 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD April 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | 386,757 | 20.7 | 386,757 | 1,466,489 | 22.3 | 1,199,515 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue | 14,583 | (37.1) | 23,183 | 73,163 | (25.2) | 97,779 |
| Internet Gaming Win | 136,883 | 27.0 | 107,750 | 545,364 | 30.2 | 418,989 |
| Casino Gaming Win | 235,291 | 24.1 | 189,621 | 847,962 | 24.2 | 682,746 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands)** | Q4 2021 | % Change from Prior Year | Q4 2020 | YTD December 31, 2021 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD December 31, 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | $452,937 | 21.8% | $372,012 | $1,781,740 | 44.0% | $1,237,617 |
| Rooms | $135,229 | 77.8% | $76,059 | $617,785 | 93.1% | $319,936 |
| Food & Beverage | $111,653 | 105.3% | $54,390 | $408,335 | 95.3% | $209,036 |
| Entertainment & Other | $64,262 | 80.2% | $35,659 | $215,671 | 80.5% | $119,490 |
| Casino Licensees Total Revenue | $764,081 | 42.0% | $538,120 | $3,023,530 | 60.3% | $1,886,079 |
** Data agregated from New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Quarterly Financial Reports for individual properties, includes amended totals as of April 12, 2022. May not match totals from Quarterly Press Releases and Statistical Summaries, which represent a 'snapshot' of data at the time of publication and are not retroactively updated.
Atlantic City Hotel Lodging
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Casino Hotel Lodging Statistics For the Period Ended September 30, 2021 & 2020 |
Q4 2021 | Q4 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 66.39% | 46.45% | 67.60% | 61.75% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $156.60 | $121.58 | $172.88 | $139.74 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $103.97 | $56.24 | $116.87 | $86.28 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source: South Jersey Transportation Authority
| Travel Mode | March 2022 |
Change from Prior Year |
March 2021 |
YTD March 2022 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD March 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
1,356,355 | 10.9% | 1,223,507 | 3,606,785 | 15.7% | 3,118,019 |
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | 73,019 | 20.2% | 60,732 | 192,343 | 55.7% | 123,563 |
| Charter Passengers | 10,256 | 398.6% | 2,057 | 24,033 | 402.8% | 4,780 |
| Total Air Passengers | 83,275 | 32.6% | 62,789 | 216,376 | 68.6% | 128,343 |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source: MeetAC
| April '22 | April '21 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2022 YTD |
TOTAL 2021 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings* | ||||||
| # of Shows | 9 | 0 | N/A | 27 | 2 | 1250% |
| # of Room Nights | 10,322 | 0 | N/A | 40,844 | 1,778 | 2197% |
| # of Delegates | 29,347 | 0 | N/A | 203,713 | 1,236 | 16382% |
| Delegate Spending | $7,504,233 | $0 | N/A | $40,064,786 | $1,335,872 | 2899% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 2 | 0 | N/A | 10 | 0 | N/A |
| # of Attendees | 10,268 | 0 | N/A | 65,352 | 0 | N/A |
| Hotel Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 12 | 12 | 0% | 36 | 20 | 80% |
| # of Room Nights | 4,428 | 9,789 | -55% | 30,271 | 12,207 | 148% |
| # of Attendees | 10,420 | 6,902 | 51% | 47,523 | 23,383 | 103% |
| Delegate Spending | $3,743,569 | $4,885,841 | -23% | $21,443,060 | $8,096,693 | 165% |
| Monthly Totals | ||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 23 | 12 | 92% | 73 | 22 | 232% |
| # of Room Nights | 14,750 | 9,789 | 51% | 71,115 | 13,985 | 409% |
| # of Attendees | 50,035 | 6,902 | 625% | 316,588 | 24,619 | 1186% |
| Delegate Spending | $11,247,802 | $4,885,841 | 130% | $61,507,846 | $9,432,565 | 552% |
Notes:
Reduction in figures beginning mid-March 2020 are due to cancellations and/or shut downs as a result of COVID-19
January 2021 hotel attendees reflect virtual attendance numbers
*Includes Meet AC events booked at Boardwalk Hall
LIGHT Snapshots is a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality
& Tourism, Stockton University School of Business
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Faculty Director and Associate Professor of Hospitality
Atlantic City Information
Atlantic Cape Community College building Innovation Center, launching esports and cybersecurity programs - According to an April 27 press release from Atlantic Cape Community College, construction is underway on an Innovation Center, which will house esports and cybersecurity programs beginning fall 2022. The center, which will replace Boyer Hall on Atlantic Cape's Mays Landing campus, is being funded through a $4 million New Jersey’s Securing Our Children’s Future Bond Act grant and $1.33 million from Atlantic County. Further reporting by Esports Insider.
Atlantic City Council introduces $218.6 million budget - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, on April 20, Atlantic City Council introduced a city budget that lowers the local tax rate while giving significant raises to city workers. A public hearing on the budget will be held on May 18th.
Atlantic City receives $1 million in grant funding as part of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City and NJBIZ, The Atlantic City Development Corp. and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance received $1 million total in grants from Fulton Bank in support of two revitalization efforts in the city - ACDevco's 2022 Chelsea Neighborhood Plan Project and the Economic Alliance’s Revitalize Ducktown Project.
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) grants $50,000 to Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS) - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City the CRDA has awarded $50,000 to JFS for the Atlantic Homeless Alliance Travel Assistance program. The program connects individuals and families in Atlantic City experiencing homelessness to secure housing and other necessary services. According to a 2020 Atlantic County Point-in-Time Count, 95% of the county’s homeless population live in Atlantic City according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) data on homelessness in Atlantic City and County.
CRDA Appoints Deputy Executive Director - According to an April 28 press release, the CRDA has appointed Maisha Y. Moore as its new Deputy Executive Director. Moore replaces Rosa Farias who departed in March.
Judge rules in favor of PILOT law reconsideration - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, on May 2 Superior Court Judge Michael J. Blee upheld a previous judge's ruling that changes to the payments-in-lieu-of-taxes law for Atlantic City’s casinos violate a 2018 court settlement with Atlantic County.
New Jersey Gaming News
American Legion, New Jersey Casino Control Commission partner on job fair - seek to fill 2,500 casino jobs - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, on April 28, Atlantic City's nine casinos participated in a job fair hosted by the American Legion and Casino Control Commission with the goal of filling 2,500 positions, including as many as 1,300 full-time jobs in the resort. Further reporting by Casino.org. The job fair is part of a larger hiring wave at casinos across the region and nation.
Caesars Entertainment to partially power three Atlantic City properties with solar energy project - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment is working with DSD Renewables on a solar energy project that "will generate more than 10,000 kwh of clean, renewable energy." Operators view the project as a 'critical step' for environmental sustainability in the region.
Dealers union backs smoking ban - On April 25 United Auto Workers (UAW), a union representing Atlantic City casino dealers, sent a letter to state legislators stating their support of bills S264 and A2151, which would "eliminate smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities." Further reporting from The Press of Atlantic City.
Esports Entertainment Group (EEG) launches online betting platform Vie.gg in New Jersey - After successfully completing a 'soft play' phase, on April 4, EEG announced that its esports betting platform, Vie.gg would fully lanch in New Jersey. EEG, affilited with the licences of Bally's casino, is the first operator to be granted permission to launch full esports betting operations in the state of New Jersey. Through EEG, bettors in New Jersey will now have the ability to wager on professional esports events so long as they appear on the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcements's (DGE) approved list of games. Unlike other operators to date, EEG will not need to seek DGE approval on a case-by-case basis. Reporting by The Press of Atlantic City, Casino.org and Online Poker Report.
Patron alleges FanDuel violated New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act by not refunding deposit - As reported by casino.org, a FanDuel patron has filed a lawsuit with the Superior Court of New Jersey alleging that FanDuel's advertising is “fraudulent, misleading, and incorrect” in relation to withdrawals. FanDuel's terms and conditions state: "The withdrawal process is intended only for winnings. If you would like a refund on one of your recent deposits, please contact our support team via chat or email below." Patrons are expected to "play through," or wager their balance before withdrawing it. Limiting withdrawls to "winnings or eligible promotions" is, according to FanDuel, in keeping with the company's anti-money laundering protocols.
National Gaming News
American Gaming Association (AGA) calls for crack down on illegal gambling - According to an April 14 press release, the AGA has submitted a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice calling for a crackdown on "illegal, online sportsbooks and casinos and unregulated 'skill game' machines." The AGA has also released the 2022 State of the States report assessing the industry's performance in 2021.
Caesars Entertainment announces revised agreement for sale of William Hill non-U.S. Assets - According to an April 7 press release, Caesars Entertainment will sell the non-U.S. assets of recently acquired William Hill to 888Holdings Plc for a reduced price. Caesars expects to receive a $785 million for the sale, $415 million less than previously agreed. According to Casino.org, Caesars may now turn its attention to the sale of one of its Las Vegas Strip assets. Further reporting from Reuters and Nasdaq.
Michigan joins Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) - On April 6, regulators in Delaware, Nevada and New Jersey jointly announced that Michigan would join them in a Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement (MSIGA) to "share liquidity among patrons participating in legal forms of online gaming." Further reporting by OnlinePokerReport.
Nevada casinos see Gross Gaming Revenue (GGR) exceed $1 billion for 13th consecutive month - As reported by casino.org, March 2022 marked the 13th consecutive month in which Nevada's casinos realized more than $1 billion in GGR. Nevada's casinos topped $1 billion seven times in 2019, but pent-up demand in the wake of the pandemic seems to have fueled the current run. March 2022 GGR represented a 27% year-over-year gain from March 2021, and a 38% gain on 2019.
New York approves state budget including three downstate casino licenses, no expansion of mobile sports betting licenses - As reported by The New York Times, Casino.org, and Play NY, on April 9, the New York State Legislature passed a $220 billion state budget that included three "downstate region" casino licenses. Mobile sports betting licenses will remain limited to the nine apps currently being offered. The three downstate casino licenses are expected to go to projects in New York City or the surrounding suburbs. Resorts World Queens at Aqueduct Racetrack and Empire City Casino at Yonkers Raceway are seen as likely to claim two of the three licenses.
Pennsylvania sportsbooks reach $1 billion gross revenue - According to Legal Sports Report, in March 2022 Pennsylvania sportsbooks passed a key milestone, surpassing $1 billion in total accumulated gross revenue from sports betting since their launch in November 2018. Since its launch, sports betting in Pennslyvania has generated $241.9 million in local and state taxes.
Philadelphia briefly reinstates indoor mask mandate, city casinos follow suit - On April 11, in response to a rising number of cases of COVID-19, the City of Philadelphia announced a move to Level 2: Mask Precautions requiring masks in indoor public places including the city's casinos (according to casino.org). While businesses implemented mask requirements immediatly, official enforcement did not begin until April 18th. On April 22, the City announced that, following a leveling off of case counts and a decrease in hospitalizations, "residents and visitors are strongly encouraged, but not required, to wear a mask in indoor public spaces." Further reporting from NPR and The New York Times.
Hospitality & Tourism News
Airshow to return to Atlantic City on August 24 - According to an April 5 announcement from the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, shared by The Press of Atlantic City, the annual Airshow will return to Atlantic City on August 24. The event which draws about 100,000 people to the city, generates an estimated $50 million in economic impact each year.
American Hotel & Lodging Association (AHLA) releases business travel revenue report - On April 19, the AHLA released data on U.S. hotel business travel revenue. According to the report, this revenue is projected to be 23% (more than $20 billion) below 2019 levels. The report estimates the lodging industry lost an estimated $108 billion in business travel revenue in 2020 and 2021 combined. According to the data, New Jersey lodging operators were expected to generate 36.3% ($897.3 million) less business travel revenue in 2022 than in 2019.
Cape May County occupancy tax collection exceeds 2019 level - According to a news release from the Cape May County Department of Tourism, Cape May County lodging businesses collected $16.3 million in occupancy taxes in 2021 a 24.5% increase over 2019 which itself was a record year for the county. Further reporting by The Press of Atlantic City.
International student workers return to Jersey Shore to fill summer tourism jobs - As reported by the Courier Post, tourism business operators are optimistic that thousands of international student workers will return to the Jersey Shore for the summer 2022 season. These workers "tend to fill entry-level guest-facing positions like ride operators, lifeguards, admissions attendants and retail workers... they also work as line cooks, servers, hosts and other food and beverage jobs, as well as housekeeping, concierge, and maintenance roles in hotels." New Jersey, which had 5,272 international student workers in 2019, had just 245 in 2020 and 2,008 in 2021. So far 4,600 international students, hailing from 30 countries, are expected to work in New Jersey during the summer 2022 season.
JetBlue makes offer for Spirit Airlines - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, As of April 6, JetBlue made an offer of about $3.6 billion to Spirit Airlines for the purchase of the company which had already announced a plan to merge with Frontier Airlines. As reported by CNN as of May 2, Spirit had rejected JetBlue's offer agreeing to continue the planned merger with Frontier.
Matchroom Multi Sport announces partnership with Caesars Entertainment and the Atlantic City Sports Commission - According to The Press of Atlantic City, Matchroom Multi Sport, operators of the U.S. Open Pool Championship, have announced that the annual tournament, held at Harrah's Resort Atlantic City in September 2021, will return to Harrah's October 10-15, 2022 and September 25-30, 2023.
Meet AC and Stockton University partner to provide lectures and educational workshops - According to an April 20 press release from Stockton University, Meet AC and Stockton University are partnering to connect meeting and event professionals with Stockton faculty to provide lectures and educational workshops for meetings and conventions attendees.
New Jersey begins legalized sales of recreational marijuana - As reported by The New York Times and NJ.com, New Jersey began the legal sale of recreational marijuana/cannabis on April 21. On April 19, as reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) approved Atlantic City's first recreational cannabis business. According to a Stockton University poll conducted by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy, 56% of New Jersey residents interviewed said they would back recreational dispensaries in their town. Further reporting from The Press of Atlantic City.
South Jersey Transportation Authority (SJTA) reports increase in visitor volume - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, according to the SJTA toll-paying trafic on the Atlantic City expressway increased 6.5% in the first quarter of 2022 compared to first quarter 2021. The number of passengers through the Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) incrased 69% year-over-year in the same period. This as 'wingless flights' are set to connect ACY with Philadelphia International Airport through an agreement with American Airlines.
