Atlantic City Information

Atlantic Avenue 'No Tolerance' policy begins - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, starting March 1, the city began posting more police officers on Atlantic Avenue in an effort to address neighborhood complaints. Continuing coverage from The Press of Atlantic City.

Atlantic City jobs training program begins at City Hall - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, under the guidance of Community Development Block Grant Director Marc A. Starling, the Atlantic City program has committed $150,000 in grant funds to get individuals back in the workforce. City residents participating in the program will receive assistance with job searches and have access to job counselors who will follow up with clients after 30, 60 and 90 days of employment to help with any problems, such as transportation or child care, that might impede a person’s ability to stay employed.

Masks no longer required in city buildings - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, effective March 16 masks were no longer required in Atlantic City-owned buildings. 

Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit to fund more than $2 million in projects for Atlantic City - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the N.J. Department of Community Affairs has announced that a total $14 million will be awarded to 19 community-based nonprofits accross the state including a total $2.05 million to three Atlantic City non-profits — $985,000 to the Atlantic City Development Corp. for use in the Chelsea neighborhood; $540,000 to the AtlantiCare Foundation, to be spent in Midtown; and $521,000 to the Atlantic County Economic Alliance for the Ducktown neighborhood.

New Jersey governor announces new executive director of Casino Reinvestment Development Authority - According to a March 17 statement, New Jersey Governor Phil Murphy announced the appointment of Sean M. Pattwell as executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). Mr. Pattwell was unanimously approved by the CRDA’s Board of Directors on March 15. 

PILOT hearing set for April 25 - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, a hearing on the motion to reconsider changes to the Atlantic City Payment In Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) law wil be held on April 25. The hearing had originally been scheduled for April 1. 

New Jersey Gaming News

Bally's Atlantic City names new General Manager - As reported by Global Gaming Business, and Play NJ, former Assistant General Manager, Michael Monty has been named General Manager of Bally's Atlantic City. Former General Manager, Nick Polcino is reported to be moving to another Bally's Corp. property in the Northeast as General Manager. 

Bill authorizes Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to finance transportation projects - As recorded by the New Jersey State Legislature and reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Bill S1110 "authorizes CRDA to finance transportation projects between Atlantic City Airport and Atlantic City Tourism District." Under current guidelines, CRDA must commit all assets and revenues to community development and the Tourism District in Atlantic City. The Bill, which passed out of the Senate Committee on March 24, would permit a limited expansion of this focus. 

Bill proposes to use 1.25 percent tax on sports wagering for local Atlantic City tax relief - As recorded by the New Jersey State Legislature and reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Bill S854 "provides that 1.25 percent of tax on sports wagering revenues be used for local tax relief purposes for Atlantic City." Funds collected from the 1.25 percent tax on sports wagering are currently directed to the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) for the marketing and promotion of the city. The Bill's sponsor estimates that passage of the bill would make and estimated $2.5 million available to the city annually. As of March 24 the Bill was referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

Debate of Atlantic City casino indoor smoking ban continues - According to reporting from The Press of Atlantic City, NJ 101.5, ROI NJ and others, the debate over a ban on indoor smoking in Atlantic City casinos continues. According to NJ.com as of March 21, 35 members of the state Assembly and Senate had sponsored a measure (S264) to "eliminate the smoking ban exemption for casinos." The Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce issued a statement opposing the ban. 

DraftKings fined $150,000 for accepting proxy bets - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, on March 2, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced that it had come to an agreement with DrafKings concerning proxy betting incidents that are forbiden under state regulations. The company was fined $150,000 for allowing a Florida man to make online bets through a friend in New Jersey. Further coverage from Legal Sports Report. 

National Gaming News

American Gaming Association (AGA) estimates 45 million Americans wager on March Madness - According to a March 13 survey and press release, the AGA estimated more than 17% of American adults will wager $3.1 billion on the 2022 NCAA Men’s Division I Basketball Tournament.

Congressional Gaming Caucus introduces federal legislation, SLOT Act -  As reported by Las Vegas Review Journal, The Press of Atlantic City, Gambling News and Casino.org, members of the Congressional Gaming Caucus introduced the Shifting Limits on Threshold Act (SLOT Act) on March 3. The act seeks to increase the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) reporting limit for single-spin jackpots from $1,200.00 to $5,000.00. The current limit was set by Congress in 1977 and has remained unchanged since. The American Gaming Association released a statement in support of the legislation. 

Maryland sportsbooks take less bets in second full month of operation, mobile sports betting on hold - According to Legal Sports Report, following a stagered launch in December 2021, Maryland's five retail sportsbooks took 21.5% less in handle in February 2022 (their second full month of operation) than January 2022. A date for the launch of mobile sports betting, seen as crucial for the growth of the Maryland sports betting market, has yet to be set. The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission cannot set rules for mobile wagering until receiving the results of a new disparity study. As of March 16, the disparity study was underway with no timeline for completion. 

New York online casinos unlikely in 2022, possible in 2023 - According to Online Poker Report, online casino gambling, or "iGaming" was not included in the 2022 New York state budget. State Senator Joseph Addabbo told the press that it would be a "full-court press" to have iGaming included in the 2023 state budget. Allowing time for regulatory steps between legalization and launch, the earliest New York State could enter the online casino market would be late 2023. 

Pennsylvania gross gaming revenue (GGR) declines for third consecutive month - As reported by Casino.org, Pennsylvania's February 2022 GGR declined 4.4% compared to January 2022 making it the third consecutive month of month-to-month declines following record high revenues in November 2021. Sports betting losses may have suppressed state total GGR for the month as sports books lost $442,847 in February 2022 compared to a win of $16.3 million in February 2021. Further coverage from Play Pennsylvania and Legal Sports Report. 

PokerStars announces Spring Championship Tournaments - According to Online Poker Report, PokerStars hosted the Spring Championship of Online Poker (SCOOP) series in New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Michigan from March 25 through April 11. New Jersey players had their choice of 105 tournaments as part of the series, Pennsylvania had 120 tournaments and Michigan had 120 tournaments at various buy in levels. This is the first year PokerStars ran the Spring Series in all three states concurrently, "setting the stage for the possibility of the three states joining the same pool on a larger PokerStars network." Further New Jersey coverage from PlayNJ.

Sportsbooks nationwide see drop in handle in February - According to Legal Sports Report, New Jersey sportsbooks (-26.9%) weren't the only books to experience a month to month drop in handle from January 2022 to February 2022. Iowa (-28.8%), Tennessee (-18.8%), Indiana (-18.2%) and New York's newly launched books (-9%) all experienced month to month declines in handle. Declines can be attributed to a reduced sports calendar with the Super Bowl not quite making up for the lack of other football games, and the NBA and NHL both on All-Star breaks. 

Virginia State Legislators push for high school gaming education - As reported by Casino.org, Virgina legislators introduced House Bill 108, which if passed, would instruct the Virginia Board of Education to provide public schools with programs to teach the dangers of gambling in the same manner as drugs and alcohol are presented. Virginia became a commercial gaming state in 2021 with the introduction of legal mobile sports betting. 

West Virginia Satelite Gaming bill - As repoted by Casino.org, Senate Bill 100, which would have permitted the state's five commercial casinos to each build smaller satelite gaming venues, stalled in committee and is now 'dead' with the end of the 2022 legislative session on March 12. 

New Jersey Hospitality & Tourism News

Atlantic City City Council applies to Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) for funds to improve and operate ice skating rink -As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, on March 16, Atlantic City's City Council voted to authorize application to the CRDA for capital improvement ($675,000) and operating funds ($135,000 of which $44,000 has been already received) for the now city run ice rink near Bader Field. The city has taken over opperation of the 23-year-old Skate Zone after former operator, Black Bear Sports Group, and the CRDA failed to reach a new lease agreement. 

Cape May announces 2022 Summer Concert Series - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Cape May has announced a series of nine performances to fill Convention Hall for Summer 2022. 

Cornhole League, Pickleball Championship tournaments come to Atlantic City - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, from March 18 to 20, Showboat Atlantic City hosted The American Cornhole League Tournament which was nationally televised. In September the Atlantic City Convention Center will host the Indoor Open Pickleball Championship. Both sports, growing in popularity nationwide, are expected to bring "substantial good publicity" to the resort. 

Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference (MAAC) extends contract to hold men's and women's basketball tournaments at Jim Whelan Boardwalk Hall - as reporeted by The Press of Atlantic City, MAAC will extend their tournament contract with Boardwalk Hall for one more year. MAAC innitially signed a three-year contract with Boardwalk Hall starting in 2020. The 2020 tournament was cut short by COVID and attendance of the 2021 tournament was limited to family and friends due to pandemic restrictions.  The 2022 tournament (March 8-12) is the first to be offered in a "post-COVID environment." Despite being cut short, the 2020 tournament brought a reported 10,089 attendees to the city who generated 2,619 room nights and $3.7 million in economic output. 

Former Atlantic City rooming houses to become 'boutique hotel' - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, on March 15, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) Board of Directors voted to unanimously approve the sale of three former rooming houses to a developer for $150,000. The developer, Liberty Hudson Holdings LLC, plans to combine the properties at California Avenue and Albion Place into a single boutique hotel operating nine guest rooms in each building. The developers are not seeking any financial subsidies from the CRDA other than the reduced price of the buildings, which stand less than a block away from the beach and boardwalk. 

Progressive Atlantic City Boat Show returned for 2022 - After a year hiatus due to COVID, one of the Atlantic City Convention Center's largest annual events returned to the city March 2 through March 6. ACBoatShow.com press release and Convention Center Calendar.  

National Hospitality & Tourism News

Frontier and Spirit Airlines announce expanded Las Vegas operations ahead of merger - As reported by Casino.org, Frontier and Spirit Airlines have each announced expanded service through Harry Reid International Airport – Las Vegas (LAS). Last year, Spirit and Frontier collectively facilitated 8.6 million passengers through Las Vegas’ international airport.

Global hotel companies shut down operations in Russia in response to invasion of Ukraine - As reported by Hotel Management, several major hospitality companies have announced plans to close offices in Russia and to provide support for refugees. Marriot International, Hyatt Hotels Corp., IHG Hotels & Resorts, and Hilton are among them. The industry has also launched the #HospitalityHelps initiative, which is activly providing information and hotel rooms to Ukrainian refugees. 

San Diego State University releases 'Analysis' of in-person business travel and meetings in comparison to virtual options - According to Analysis (Analysis: Business Travel And In-Person Meetings To Provide Post-Pandemic Boost) released by San Diego State University, "in-person business travel and meetings have undeniable advantages over virtual options, and... businesses and organizations that resume business travel and meetings more quickly are likely to have a competitive edge over those that do not."

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) extends mask mandate to April 18 - According to a March 10 statement, TSA has extended the "security directive for mask use on public transportation and transportation hubs" for one month as public health organizations, including the CDC, work on a revised policy framework for mask requirments. Further coverage by The New York Times. 

U.S. Travel Association responds to February 2022 jobs report - According to the February 2022 jobs report released by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics March 4, 73 percent of jobs still lost due to the pandemic are in leisure and hospitality. Further coverage by Lodging Magazine. In a March 4 statement, U.S. Travel Association Executive Vice President of Public Affairs and Policy Tori Emerson Barnes, noted: "While overall U.S. employment is just 1.4% below 2019 levels, L&H is down a disproportionate 9%." Barnes called on the President and Congress to take action saying, "today’s job numbers reflect the great need to accelerate the return of business and international inbound travel and the recovery of these L&H positions."