In the past, Atlantic City was considered one of America’s most popular casino destinations, but after years of financial crises, the city has seen a dramatic decrease in popularity. In an effort to revitalize the city to its former glory and boost its economy, the city has introduced a number of changes to its gambling and casino landscape.
To get a better understanding of how these changes are expected to affect the city, let’s take a closer look at two important questions these new developments hope to answer.
How Can Atlantic City Bring in More People?
The lack of tourists visiting the shore city has been a problem for a number of years following the exit of six of Atlantic City’s popular gambling destinations and the United State’s recession in the late 2000s. With the introduction of Stockton University’s new Atlantic City campus, a new headquarters for a natural gas utility, and the conversion of the Showboat Hotel into rental units, Atlantic City has found three ways to attract more permanent residents to the city and create much-needed jobs.
How Can Atlantic City Increase its Revenue?
The popularity of sports gambling in cities such as Atlantic City and Monmouth, NJ has skyrocketed since New Jersey legalized the pastime in mid-June of last year. According to reports, New Jersey has seen $928 million worth of sports bets being placed between mid-June and the end of November 2018.2 This influx of sports bets has translated into $73.2 million in revenue for the state’s racetracks and generated nearly $8 million in taxes.2 Overall, the city hopes that the popularity of sports betting will translate into more hotel bookings, packed restaurants, and busier casinos.
Key Takeaways
While these new developments seem to be very promising for Atlantic City, they could present a number of new concerns for individuals who struggle with disordered gambling. If you or a loved one suffers from disordered gambling, here a few things you’ll want to be on the lookout for on your next visit to Atlantic City that may make it more difficult for problem gamblers:
- An increase in the number of triggers during sporting events such as the Super Bowl and March Madness
- The resurgence and rebranding of casino resorts such as the Ocean Resort and the Hard Rock
- The introduction of new housing complexes near the city’s casino zone
Those who are living with a sports gambling problem in Atlantic City or the surrounding areas who need help coping with the recent changes in the city’s casino and gambling landscape can find the support they need by calling the free 800-GAMBLER helpline. We are here around the clock to offer support, treatment and hope.