June 2021 Snapshots
In LIGHT of the data.
Atlantic City Casino’s June 2021 total GGR did not disappoint coming off a near record single month high in May 2021 of $337.2 million to set a new single month total gross gaming revenue record. At $345.7 million June 2021 total GGR surpassed the prior record set in July 2011 ($340.5 million) and improved on June 2019 ($278.14 million) by 24.3% with internet and sports betting making substantial contributions to the $67.5 million increase (2021 over 2019).
At $214.5 Brick and Mortar Casino Win for June 2021 continued a pattern of recovery with a 0.6% increase over May 2021 ($213.15 million), marking the fourth consecutive month of growth, month-to-month. While 9.1% short of June 2019 ($236 million), brick and mortar revenues for June 2021 surpassed June revenues in five of the past six years (2015-2020) indicating that demand for in person gaming is strong.
Internet gaming revenue growth is slowing as visitors flock to the resort for in-person gaming during the summer tourism season. However, the fact that it still continues to increase year-over-year suggests the market has not yet reached its full potential even as in-person gaming returns to full operations.
Growth of both internet and brick and mortar gaming revenues demonstrates the importance of operators diversifying their offerings by providing both methods of gaming for their customers. Casino patrons don’t have to visit the casino in-person in order to gamble, the fact that they are visiting suggests they are getting more out of the experience than gambling alone. This would be good news for operators and also shows the benefits of diversifying the city’s entertainment options and other non-gaming amenities.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Monthly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) |
June 2021 |
% Change from Prior Year | June 2020 | YTD June 2021 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD June 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | $345,655 | 280.2% | $90,914 | $1,882,401 | 95.1% | $965,001 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue | $24,090 | n/a | $6,000 | $137,775 | n/a | $46,645 |
| Internet Gaming Win | $107,054 | 26.1% | $84,913 | $634,214 | 50.0% | $422,709 |
| Casino Gaming Win | $214,521 | n/a | $0 | $1,110,413 | n/a | $495,646 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) | Q1 2021 | % Change from Prior Year | Q1 2020 | YTD March 31, 2021 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD March 31, 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | $377,151 | 6.2% | $355,278 | $377,151 | 6.2% | $355,278 |
| Rooms | $90,224 | -7.5% | $97,577 | $90,224 | -7.5% | $97,577 |
| Food & Beverage | $63,720 | -38.5% | $103,680 | $63,720 | -38.5% | $103,680 |
| Entertainment & Other | $33,594 | -17.5% | $40,698 | $33,594 | -17.5% | $40,698 |
| Casino Licensees Total Revenue | $564,689 | -5.4% | $597,233 | $564,689 | -5.4% | $597,233 |
Atlantic City Hotel Lodging
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Casino Hotel Lodging Statistics For the Period Ended March 31, 2021 |
Q1 2021 | Q1 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 52.4% | 68.1% | 52.4% | 68.1% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $130.74 | $128.03 | $130.74 | $128.03 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $68.52 | $87.22 | $68.52 | $87.22 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source: South Jersey Transportation Authority
| Travel Mode | May 2021 |
Change from Prior Year |
May 2020 |
YTD May 2021 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD May 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
1,473,729 | 121.1% | 666,475 | 5,913,300 | 18.4% | 4,992,665 |
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | 88,910 | 1485.4% | 5,608 | 293,989 | 13.8% | 258,244 |
| Charter Passengers | 3,541 | N/A | 0 | 10,890 | -32.9% | 16,237 |
| Total Air Passengers | 92,451 | 1548.6% | 5,608 | 304,879 | 11.1% | 274,481 |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source: MeetAC
| June '21 | June '20 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2021 YTD |
TOTAL 2020 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings* | ||||||
| # of Shows | 4 | 0 | n/a | 6 | 22 | -73% |
| # of Room Nights | 40 | 0 | n/a | 1,818 | 72,188 | -97% |
| # of Delegates | 6,060 | 0 | n/a | 7,296 | 217,187 | -97% |
| Delegate Spending | $846,414 | $0 | n/a | $2,182,286 | $56,790,400 | -98% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 0 | 0 | n/a | 0 | 11 | -100% |
| # of Attendees | 0 | 0 | n/a | 0 | 129,722 | -100% |
| Hotel Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 15 | 1 | 1400% | 46 | 26 | 77% |
| # of Room Nights | 16,045 | 200 | 7923% | 45,658 | 15,889 | 187% |
| # of Attendees** | 20,620 | 1,000 | 1962% | 50,061 | 23,250 | 115% |
| Delegate Spending | $9,834,263 | $153,428 | 6310% | $27,226,248 | $9,028,588 | 202% |
| Monthly Totals | ||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 19 | 1 | 1800% | 52 | 59 | -12% |
| # of Room Nights | 16,085 | 200 | 7943% | 47,476 | 88,077 | -46% |
| # of Attendees | 26,680 | 1,000 | 2568% | 57,357 | 370,159 | -85% |
| Delegate Spending | $10,680,677 | $153,428 | 6861% | $29,408,534 | $65,818,988 | -55% |
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
** 2020 figures may have been adjusted due to COVID-19 related updates
LIGHT Snapshots is a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality
& Tourism at Stockton University
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Institute Coordinator and Associate Professor of Hospitality
Atlantic City Information
Atlantic City Airshow scheduled for August 18 - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, after being canceled last year due to COVID-19, the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, in partnership with the New Jersey Hospital Association, will host the 2021 Atlantic City Airshow on August 18. Meet AC and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will also lend their support to this year's event.
Ørsted project 'Ocean Wind 2' selected for New Jersey Board of Public Utilities (NJBPU) award - According to a June 30 Press Release, Ørsted project 'Ocean Wind 2' was selected by the NJBPU for a 20-year Offshore Renewable Energy Credit (OREC) award. Located adjacent to 'Ocean Wind 1,' Ørsted's first off-shore wind project, Ocean Wind 2 will add 1,148 megawatts (MW) of wind energy capacity and power more than half a million New Jersey homes. Together Ocean Wind 1 and 2 represent 2,200 MW of a total 7,500 MW off-shore wind capacity that the state hopes to reach by 2035. Ocean Wind 2 is expected to generate over $4.8 billion in net economic benefits for the state and contribute to an expansion of the the EEW Paulsboro monopile facility (500 full-time jobs).
Stay Hungry, Stop the Violence summer basketball league - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the Stay Hungry summer basketball league played the first games of the 2021 season on June 26. The league's third season will be played on a city built basketball court at Bader Field dubbed "The Stay Hungry Arena." Previous seasons were played at Lagoon Park in the Venice Park section of Atlantic City. Organizers of the event hope to promote nonviolence and provide positive role models for community youth.
New Jersey Gaming News
Bally's Corporation closes on Bet.Works acquisition - According to a June 1 press release shared via PR Newswire, the Bally's Coporation has completed its acquisition of Bet.Works a sports-betting platform provider. Bet.Works' proprietary technology supports sportsbook operators in New Jersey, Iowa, Indiana and Colorado. Acquisition of the company positions Bally's as a 'full-service, vertically integrated sports betting and iGaming company.'
Caesars Entertainment names new eastern region president - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Caesars Entertainment has named John Koster as the regional president of Caesars Entertainment's Eastern Region. Koster will oversee Caesars' three Atlantic City properties (Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah's Resort Atlantic City and Tropicana Atlantic City) as well as Harrah's Philladelphia and Horseshoe Baltimore, filling the position previously held by Steve Callender.
Decision to allow wagering on N.J. collegiate sports to go to public vote - As reported by NJ Biz, a proposed constitutional amendment (SCR133), which would allow previously prohibitted wagering on N.J. collegiate sports, will go to a public vote in November 2021. The result of the vote will have significant impacts on sports wagering in the state. If the amendment is passed, New Jersey sportsbooks would be able to accept wagers on collegiate sporting events occurring in New Jersey or involving a New Jersey-based team such as the NCAA 2025 East Regional Tournament, which is scheduled to be hosted by Seton Hall University at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. If the amendment is not passed, New Jersey sportsbooks would not be able to accept wagers on the tournament or any other collegiate spoting event taking place in New Jersey or involving a New Jersey based team. Further reporting by NJ Biz.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City announces new VP of Entertainment and Marketing Services - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, on July 6, Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City announced the appointment of Michael Woodside as the facility's new Vice President of Entertainment and Marketing Services.
Hard Rock, MGM announce charter air service for Atlantic City - According to Casino.org and a June 4 press release from Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, both Hard Rock and MGM have announced plans to offer charter air service to Atlantic City. MGM will offer flights through a partner, Sun Country Airlines, Hard Rock through an exclusive "Hard Rock Air" service operated by Ultimate Jet Charters. Hard Rock Air officially launched July 16.
Indoor smoking ban lifted for Atlantic City casinos - As reported by The New York Times, and The Press of Atlantic City, a year-long ban on indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos was lifted on July 4 as part of continued relaxation of coronavirus-related precautions. Several groups, including casino workers, Smoke Free Atlantic City, and the United Auto Workers protested the return of smoking to the resort calling on industry leaders to ban smoking permanently from casino floors.
National Gaming News
Harrah's Philadelphia removes slot machines from gaming floor - According to Casino.org, after receiving approval from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB), Harrah's Philadelphia removed 563 of the facility's 2,263 slot terminals. Harrah's owners, Caesars Entertainment, told PGCB the terminals would be removed because of “a significant oversupply and underutilization” of the existing terminals. The oldest and least profitable machines were removed, including 338 from the smoking section. Fifty-two percent of the faciliy's 1,700 remaining slot machines are located in the smoking section.
Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair resigns - disrupts path to state's sports betting launch - As reported by the Associated Press and Casino.org, the June 9 resignation of Louisiana Gaming Control Board Chair Mike Noel, has disrupted and will likely delay the launch of sports betting in the state. While legislation permitting sports betting in most Louisianna parishes passed in June, it is up to the state's Gaming Control Board to set and implement the rules neccissary to launch and regulate the industry. Without a chair, the board can not proceed along a path that was expected to launch either in in time for football season or the 2022 Superbowl.
Massachusetts and Maryland casinos post record gaming win in May 2021 - As reported by Casino.org, Massachusetts' three casinos reported a new all-time record with $87 million in gross gaming revenue for May 2021. The previous record, $85.8 million, was recorded in February 2020. The Massachusetts Gaming Commission (MGC) lifted all COVID-19 operating restrictions on May 29. The first casino in the state, Plainridge Park, opened June 2015. According to Casino.org, Maryland's casinos also set an all-time gross gaming revenue record in May 2021. The $172.39 million generated in May 2021, surpassed the $169.1 million record set in March 2021. Five of the state's six casinos reported May 2021 gross gaming revenue in excess of May 2019. The first legal bet in Maryland was placed in September 2010.
Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment launches Mohegan Digital - iGaming division - According to a June 30 press release from Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment (MGE), the company has launched Mohegan Digital, an iGaming division with plans to develop an internet gaming experience for the company's flagship property Mohegan Sun Connecticut. MGE's expansion into iGaming was made possible by a new tribal gaming agreement appoved in May 2021. As reported by Casino.org, online gaming and sports betting in Connecticut is expected to go live before the end of 2021.
Nebraska to launch legal sports betting - According to Legal Sports Report, on June 1 Nebraska governor, Pete Ricketts, signed the state's sports betting bill (LB561) into law. The bill, which establishes a State Racing and Gaming Commission, only permits in-person sports betting at designated locations within existing casinos. A 20% tax will be levied on casino revenue and in-state college sports betting will be prohibited.
Nevada Casinos surpass $1 billion in gaming wind for third consecutive month, set new all-time record - As reported by Las Vegas Review Journal, Nevada casinos generated an all-time record $1.23 billion in gaming revenue in the month of May 2021. May 2021 was also the third consecutive month when Nevada casinos generated over $1 billion in monthly gambling revenue, a feat not seen since December 2019 through February 2020. The previous monthly revenue record, $1.17 billion, was set in October 2007.
New Jersey Attorney General calls on U.S. Department of Justice to rescind 2018 opinion - According to a June 21 press release from the Office of the New Jersey Attorney General (AG), New Jersey AG Gubir S. Grewal has called on the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to formally rescind its 2018 opinion “Reconsidering Whether the Wire Act Applies to Non-Sports Gambling” and accept the February 2021 reading of the federal Wire Act put forward by the First Circuit Court of Appeals in New Hampshire Lottery Commission, et. al. v. United States Department of Justice, et. al, - i.e. that the 1961 Wire Act only applies to sports wagering. AG Grewal further requested that the DOJ go on record as "officially reverting to its Obama-era position that the Wire Act applies to only sports-betting-related activity and that lotteries and other online gambling options do not conflict with federal criminal law." The DOJ's position on online gambling as it relates to the Wire Act is significantly important to the expansion of online gambling accross the country and in particular the expansion of multi-state agreements such as New Jersey's existing agreement with Delaware and Nevada to pool online poker players. Further reporting from PlayNJ.
Resorts World opens on Las Vegas North Strip - As reported by Casino.org on June 24, Resorts World became the first new hotel-casino to open on the Las Vegas Strip in 11 years. At a cost of $4.3 billion, Resorts World Las Vegas surpassed The Cosmopolitan ($4.1 billion) as the most expensive hotel-casino in Nevada history. The 3,506-room facility includes nine pools and 40 dining and drinking establishments.
Hospitality & Tourism News
Discarded shells collected by Atlantic City casino restaurants used to support New Jersey Oyster Colonies - As reported by the Associated Press, Hard Rock casino, the Knife & Fork restaurant and Dock’s Oyster House in Atlantic City are working with the state Department of Environmental Protection, Rutgers and Stockton universities, and the Jetty Rock Foundation to collect and dump clam, oyster and other shells saved from diners' plates into the Mullica River where the shells form the basis of new or expanded oyster colonies. The project, which according to the DEP has kept 65 tons of shells out of landfills, helps eateries reduce waste disposal costs and supports local ecological efforts.
Massachusetts-based cannabis company, Insa, to partner with Atlantic Cape Community College (ACCC) - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, cannabis company, Insa, announced a partnership with ACCC which would create educaion, internship and career pipeline opportunities for program graduates. Insa has applied for a state license and wants to be the first company to legally grow cannabis in Cape May County. The company hopes to have the program up and running by 2022. Insa has previously announced plans to build a new growing facility on the site of a vacant seafood processing plant (Indian Trail Road in Goshen), which would serve the medicinal market. The company expects to hire 100 people for the medicinal facility with the opportunity to hire more if the facility is also allowed to cultivate for the recreational market.
New Jersey Economic Development Authority (NJEDA) and Stockton University sign memorandum of understanding (MOU) for $200,000 in funding plus staff resources for eSports innitiative - According to a June 22 press release from Stockton University, the University and NJEDA signed an MOU outlining NJEDA support for an Esports Innovation Center at Stockton's Atlantic City campus. NJEDA will provide $200,000 and staff resources to support Stockton in "advancing the goal of establishing Atlantic City as a hub for the rapidly growing esports industry." The swiftly growing industry is expected to "help diversify New Jersey’s tourism and entertainment sector and be a source of new high-quality, high-wage jobs, such as software engineers, product developers, and content provision/event production roles." Further reporting from The Press of Atlantic City.
Passenger totals at airport serving Las Vegas Strip increasing, but not back to pre-pandemic levels - As reported by Casino.org, total monthly passenger counts for McCarran International Airport reached 3.5 million in May 2021. This exceeds April 2021's 2.9 million but trails May 2019 (4.5 million) by 23.3%. Year-to-date (January through May), 2021 totals (12.1 million) lag 2019 totals (20.7 million) by 41.7%.
