May 2022 Snapshots
In LIGHT of the data.
In the May 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.
However, inflation may be beginning to impact in-person gaming revenues. Brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue totals for the month, expected to improve over last month’s $235.3 million, were effectively flat at $233 million, down less than 1%. Brick-and-mortar revenue for the month did improve over last year ($213.1 million) by 9.3% and improved 4.5% over pre-pandemic May 2019 ($222.9 million).
In keeping with a typical seasonal increase in visitation to Atlantic City and its casinos, internet gaming revenues for the month were effectively flat at $136 million compared to last month’s $136.9 million (April 2022). We may see a flattening if not a small decline in internet gaming revenues throughout the summer as patrons shift their gaming behavior to take advantage of the city’s in-person offerings.
Inflation, and continued increases in gas prices, may be starting to impact visitor behavior. People, still eager to get away, may consider Atlantic City with its beach, boardwalk, fine dining, entertainment and casinos an attractive choice for something closer to home. However, when they get here, they may have less money to spend.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Monthly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) |
May 2022 |
% Change from Prior Year | May 2021 | YTD May 2022 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD May 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | 390,499,841 | 15.8 | 337,221,574 | 1,856,989,387 | 20.8 | 1,536,736,305 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue | 21,459,763 | 34.9 | 15,905,524 | 94,622,888 | (16.8) | 113,684,892 |
| Internet Gaming Win | 136,016,462 | 25.7 | 108,170,558 | 681,380,720 | 29.3 | 527,160,002 |
| Casino Gaming Win | 233,023,616 | 9.3 | 213,145,492 | 1,080,985,779 | 20.7 | 895,891,411 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands)** | Q1 2022 | % Change from Prior Year | Q1 2021 | YTD March 31, 2022 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD March 31, 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino |
$444,943 |
18.0% | $377,151 | $444,943 | 18.0% | $377,151 |
| Rooms | $119,399 | 32.3% | $90,224 | $119,399 | 32.3% | $90,224 |
| Food & Beverage | $103,714 | 62.8% | $63,720 | $103,714 | 62.8% | $63,720 |
| Entertainment & Other | $51,729 | 53.5% | $33,693 | $51,729 | 53.5% | $33,693 |
| Casino Licensees Total Revenue | $719,785 | 27.4% | $564,788 | $719,785 | 27.4% | $564,788 |
** 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 March 31, 2022 & 2021 |
Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | YTD 2022 | YTD 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 63.05% | 52.41% | 63.05% | 52.41% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $152.20 | $130.74 | $152.20 | $130.74 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $95.96 | $68.52 | $95.96 | $68.52 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source: South Jersey Transportation Authority
| Travel Mode | April 2022 |
Change from Prior Year |
April 2021 |
YTD April 2022 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD April 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
1,381,030 | 4.5% | 1,321,550 | 4,987,815 | 12.4% | 4,439,569 |
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | 73,902 | -9.3% | 81,516 | 266,245 | 29.8% | 205,079 |
| Charter Passengers | 11,894 | 363.0% | 2,569 | 35,927 | 388.9% | 7,349 |
| Total Air Passengers | 85,796 | 2.0% | 84,085 | 302,172 | 42.3% | 212,428 |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source: MeetAC
| May '22 | May '21 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2022 YTD |
TOTAL 2021 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings* | ||||||
| # of Shows | 9 | 0 | N/A | 36 | 2 | 1700% |
| # of Room Nights | 12,138 | 0 | N/A | 52,982 | 1,778 | 2880% |
| # of Delegates | 53,136 | 0 | N/A | 256,849 | 1,236 | 20681% |
| Delegate Spending | $50,264,576 | $0 | N/A | $90,329,362 | $1,335,872 | 6662% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 5 | 0 | N/A | 14 | 0 | N/A |
| # of Attendees | 29,445 | 0 | N/A | 84,594 | 0 | N/A |
| Hotel Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 18 | 11 | 64% | 54 | 31 | 74% |
| # of Room Nights | 10,763 | 17,406 | -38% | 41,034 | 29,613 | 39% |
| # of Attendees | 9,235 | 6,058 | 52% | 56,758 | 29,441 | 93% |
| Delegate Spending | $5,492,870 | $9,295,292 | -41% | $26,935,930 | $17,391,985 | 55% |
| Monthly Totals | ||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 32 | 11 | 191% | 104 | 33 | 215% |
| # of Room Nights | 22,901 | 17,406 | 32% | 94,016 | 31,391 | 199% |
| # of Attendees | 91,816 | 6,058 | 1416% | 398,201 | 30,677 | 1198% |
| Delegate Spending | $55,757,446 | $9,295,292 | 500% | $117,265,292 | $18,727,857 | 526% |
Notes:
January 2021 hotel attendees reflect virtual attendance numbers
March and August 2021 conventions/tradeshow numbers updated based on information received after reporting deadline
January 2022 conventions/tradeshow numbers updated based on information received after reporting deadline
March 2022 Boardwalk Hall Bookings updated based on information received after reporting deadline
*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 City named most affordable beach town for home buyers - Realtor.com named Atlantic City the most affordable beach town in America for homebuyers in 2022. This is the second year in a row that the city has received this distinction. Compared to April 2021 home prices in the Atlantic City metro area in April 2022 increased 18.8%. Further coverage from Travel and Leisure.
Atlantic City promotes 20 Class II officers to full time - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the recent promotion of 20 class II officers increases the total number of officers in the Atlantic City police department to 267 - approximately the same number of officers as when casinos first opened in the city in 1978. According to the city's proposed budget,$25.9 million is expected to be spent on police salary and wages in 2022.
Atlantic City to receive $6 million for Boardwalk repairs - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, $6 million in federal funds has been allocated to revitalize the Atlantic City Boardwalk. Repairs covering 1,200 feet of the historic landmark, between Florida and Missouri Avenues, will begin in the fall and finish before the Summer 2023 season.
Bridge to the Beach Bike-A-Thon returns to Atlantic City in June - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the American Cancer Society-sponsored Bike-A-Thon from Philadelphia to Atlantic City celebrated its 50th ride on June 12. Organizers expect to raise $1.5 million from the event which will involve thousands of cyclists of all levels.
National Historic Landmark, Atlantic City Fire Station No. 2, receives $500,000 from African American Civil Rights Grant program for building's rehabilitation - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Atlantic City Fire Station No. 2 was the only New Jersey site to receive funding from the African American Civil Rights Grant program. The $500,000 in grant funds received, along with $750,000 in funds awarded by the New Jersey Historic Trust in October 2021, will be used to rehabilitate the over 100-year-old station and complete exterior renovations including waterproofing and a new roof.
New Jersey Senate approves bill authorizing CRDA to finance transportation project - As reported by NJBiz and The Press of Atlantic City on May 26 senators voted in favor os Bill S1110. The bill authorizes the Casino Reinvestment Development Association (CRDA) to finance transportation projects between Atlantic City International Airport (ACY) and the Atlantic City Tourism District.
Vacant beach block lots go to auction - As reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, 18 vacant beach block lots on the north side of Atlantic City, an area known as the Southeast inlet or North Beach, went to auction on May 24-26. The lots are part of an Economic Opportunity Zone.
New Jersey Gaming News
Casinos and non-gaming companies make capital investments in Atlantic City - As reported by the Associated Press, ahead of the Summer 2022 season a number of gaming and non-gaming businesses in Atlantic City have made major investments, renovating and adding amenities. Projects span dining, lodging, gaming and entertainment. Further coverage from New Jersey Business Magazine.
Fixed-odds horseracing betting introduced in New Jersey - As reported by Casino.org, following the passage of the "Fixed Odds Wagering Act" in August 2021, Monmouth Park became the first US race track to offer fixed-odds wagering on horse races on May 8. Supporters of fixed-odds wagering hope it will help attract a new group of bettors to horse racing.
Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG) sale to DraftKings final - According to a May 5 press release, and reporting from Casino.org and Online Poker Report, DraftKings has officially completed its aquisition of Golden Nugget Online Gaming.
Union workers' contracts with eight of city's nine casinos expire May 31 - As reported by the Associated Press and The Press of Atlantic City, contracts between the city's casinos (except Ocean Casino) and Unite Here Local 54, the union that represents aroung 10,000 of the casino workers employed in the resort, expired on May 31. Seeking wage increases, hundreds of workers picketed outside of Tropicana Atlantic City on June 1. Further reporting from The Press of Atlantic City. Contract negotiations continue. The Union apprpved a Strike Authorization Vote on June 15.
National Gaming News
First Quarter 2022 "fastest start ever" for U.S. commercial gaming - According to a May 11 press release from the American Gaming Association, U.S. commercial casino operators set a new record for first quarter earnings with $14.31 billion generated nationwide in 2022. These earning nearly matched the all-tme quarterly record high set in fourth quarter 2021, $14.35 billion.
Massachusetts may soon legalize sports betting - According to Legal Sports Report and MassLive, Massachusetts legislators are working on legislation which would legalize sports betting in the state. New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy endorsed the effort.
New York State Receives $263 million in taxes generated by sports betting - According to a Press Release from the office of New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, in their first five months of opperation, New York sportsbooks have generated over a quarter million dollars in tax revenue for the state. The sportsbooks, which launched in January, pay taxes at a rate of 51% on online sportsbook revenue and 10% on retail sportsbook revenue. According to Legal Sports Report, New York's tax reveue surpasses both New Jersey ($229 million) and Pennsylvania ($253 million). Further reporting from Casino.org.
Pennsylvania surpasses New Jersey in online gaming revenue for second consecutive month in April 2022 - As reported by Play USA and Play Pennsylvania, online gaming operators in Pensylvania generated $138 million in gross gaming revenue in April 2022 surpassing New Jersey ($136.9 million in April 2022), but falling short of the U.S. record $142.7 million single month revenue, which they set in March 2022.
Smoking bans at Pennsylvania casinos do not appear to negatively impact revenues; Pennsylvania and Rhode Island consider smoking ban legislation - As reported by Play Philadelphia, Gambling News and Casino.org, Rivers, Parx and Mount Airy Casinos in Pennsylvania have banned smoking on the gaming floor. Parx Casino, where a smoking ban has been in effect for almost a year, remains the top casino in the state for land-based revenue. Mount Airy, according to numbers from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board, does not appear to have taken a financial hit from the smoking ban. Rivers' ban took effect April 29. As reported by Casino.org, two Bally's casinos in Rhode Island have banned smoking at table games. Both states, Pennsylvania (House Bills 2466, 211 and Senate Bill 124) and Rhode Island (House Bill 7855) have introduced legislation that would close the legislative loophole that allows smoking in casinos.
Hospitality & Tourism News
American Hotel and Lodging Accociation relaunches "Hospitality is Working" Campaign - According to a May 3 press release, The American Hotel and Lodging Association (AHLA) has relaunched the "Hospitality is Working" campaign. The campaign highlights the "economic and community benefits hotels provide in neighborhoods across the country" and the AHLA hopes it will help "reignite" travel accross the country as the industry continues to recover from the pandemic.
Entry fees for New Jersey state parks waived - According to a May 26 press release from the office of New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, "entry to all New Jersey state parks, forests, and recreation areas will be free of charge this summer."
In-person events making a comeback, says Meet AC - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City [and evidenced in data above shared by Meet AC], now that most COVID-19 restrictions have ended meeting planners are shifting back from virtual to in-person events. In the first quarter of 2022, events in Atlantic City generated approximatly $34.7 million.
New Jersey Division of Travel and Tourism releases annual Tourism Economic Impact report - The Economic Impact of Tourism in New Jersey 2021 report prepared by Tourism Economics for VisitNJ was released this month. According to the report, 96.6 million visitors to New Jersey generated $37.3 billion in spending in 2021. Visitation is expected to increase to 108.0 million and spending to $44.6 billion in 2022 with a return to pre-covid levels by 2023.
Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Initiative announced for Wildwood, New Jersey, city receives $3.2 million grant to aid reconstruction of Boardwalk - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, the city of Wildwood and Cape May County in New Jersey have announced the Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Innitiative, a joint effort to revitalize a 1.3-mile stretch of Pacific Avenue, which includes the downtown center. The $375,000 innitiative creates a Pacific Avenue Redevelopment Zone and includes tax abatements for development, the public purchase of derelict properties and zoning changes to increase residential density. The county will cover 80% and the city 20% of costs. This pilot program may provide a model for future efforts in the county. Also reported by The Press of Atlantic City, Wildwood has been awarded a $3.2 million U.S. Economic Development Administration Grant, which will help fund continued reconstruction work on the boardwalk. With a combination of grants and local funding, the city plans to reconstruct a total eight blocks of "damaged and aging boardwalk."
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Independance Visitor Center generates average $72 million in additional annual visitor spending - As reported by The Philadelphia Inquirer, in the Independance Visitor Center's first two decades of operation it saw an average 2.11 million visitors annually. Because of their visit to the center, visitors spent an additional $72 million annually on average in the region for a total of $1.43 billion in spending over 20 years.
Strong summer predicted for Cape May County - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, government and tourism leaders gathered for the Cape May County Tourism Conference on May 25. Presented at the conference was a Cape May County Tourism Economic Impact Report, which included details of a visitor survey. The survey showed that 8% of visitors to the county had come to the area for the first time and 39% (the largest segment) had been coming for over 20 years. The county hopes that marketing itself as "less than a tank of gas away from about 30 million people" and appealing to Canadian visitors who have been unable to come since the start of the pandemic will make for a strong 2022 season.
Wildwood, New Jersey announces launch of new Wildwoods Island Shuttle in partnership with the Jitney Association - As reported by The Press of Atlantic City, from the end of May through mid-October, the Wildwoods Island Shuttle will serve visitors of the resort from 5 p.m. to 2:30 am daily June 20 through September 5 and weekends only in the pre and post summer season.
