Atlantic City Casinos - A Gaming Market at a Cross Road

If you are one to follow the casino industry on a whole, there's no secret that the current economic climate has had a significant and direct negative impact on every gaming jurisdiction in the United States. Sure, there are a few individual gaming companies that are holding their own, but across the board things are very shaky. No where does it seem to be worse, however, than in Atlantic City New Jersey. I've written for some time my disgust with crippling legislation that has handicapped Atlantic City such as smoking bans and not moving forward with legalizing sports betting, not to mention a chronic and long standing problem with city officials unable to recognize and support the industry like it should. Well, I find no joy in the result, but there's no way any one can say I was wrong. Atlantic City and it's casino market is in a lot of trouble.

The cities oldest casino, Resorts Atlantic City is in jeopardy of going into foreclosure not being able to meet it's debt payments, the Tropicana Resort Atlantic City has been embroiled, for almost two years, with drama surrounding it's ownership, and most recently the Don himself, Donald Trump, whose name itself has been a fixture in the resort by the sea, has shed any official involvement with the direct operation and oversight of the Trump casinos that still share his name. 

What's a head for one of the largest casino and gaming markets in the country? Not sure. The reality is things don't look good. No doubt ever increasing competition from neighboring jurisdictions like Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York are eating into Atlantic City's long time dominance in the casino market, but add in the free fall of the economy, loss of jobs that result in less spendable cash by customers and drying up credit markets, and the outlook is scary. 

Atlantic City may have missed the boat and lost it's chance to secure a foothold as a destination resort. Infighting, lack of strong political leadership and lack of long term vision by the areas decision makers are to blame. Shame on them.