Casinos in Northeast Express Concerns Over Challenges

By Jane Shaw Senior Editor Updated: 04/29/2024

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We count on Jane to inform our readers about the latest slot games in the US market. With her passion for video games and a degree in engineering, she’s our gambling tech expert. Jane’s also active in our blog section, where she tackles the curiosities and changes in the industry.

Concerns Raised by NE Casinos

According to recent reports, the casino industry in the Northeastern United States is experiencing a wide range of challenges as it gets ready for the imminent arrival of new competitors from New York City. Casino officials are said to have expressed concerns over the variety of challenges that are putting pressure on the industry, including fresh competition and smoking bans.

Also among the concerns are the damaging effects of illegal online gambling operations on brick-and-mortar establishments, the ongoing debate surrounding the impact of online gambling on physical casino revenues, and the looming possibility of a smoking ban in Atlantic City. These issues were discussed in detail at a recent casino conference held in Atlantic City.

Upcoming New York Casinos Worrying Existing Venues

During the East Coast Gaming Congress hosted at the Hard Rock Casino, industry experts highlighted the challenges facing the sector, particularly in terms of the upcoming three casinos in downstate New York.

These establishments are expected to have a huge impact on the regional gambling market. New York is in the midst of dealing with numerous inquiries from potential casino operators and is in the process of selecting suitable locations before considering license allocations.

Mark Giannantonio, President of the Casino Association of New Jersey and Atlantic City’s Resorts Casino, emphasized the urgency for Atlantic City to prepare for the upcoming rivalry that would be posed by New York. He stressed the need for Atlantic City to enhance public safety, infrastructure, and cleanliness to effectively deal with the challenges presented by the new entrants into the market.

Stacey Rowland, President of the New York Gaming Association, said that the New York casinos would naturally want to capture a share of the gambling revenue currently accessible to other states. However, she added that this type of competition was both healthy and beneficial, as it would encourage existing establishments to enhance their offerings in response to the heightened competition.

Other Pressures Facing the Casino Sector

In addition to the anticipated competition from New York’s casinos, Atlantic City casinos are also facing internal pressures. Casino employees have been seeking a ban on smoking within gambling areas, urging lawmakers to implement smoke-free legislation.

They have recently started legal proceedings to challenge a New Jersey law exempting Atlantic City casinos from the state’s indoor clean air regulations. Giannantonio warned that a ban on smoking could pose a huge threat to the industry, potentially resulting in millions of dollars in lost state tax revenue and the loss of around 2,500 casino jobs.

One Atlantic City dealer said:

Casino executives keep making the same discredited claims and are promoting a false compromise that will only continue to force us, their own employees, to breathe toxic air at our jobs every day.

He added that executives didn’t care about the serious health conditions and diseases that could result from this type of work environment. The dealer also said that casino workers in many other states did not have to put up with this type of working environment.