Several big new projects, including a long-awaited year-round water park and major dining, lodging and entertainment projects at several casinos, are on the boards, but how well Atlantic City’s nine casinos do in clawing their way back to where they were when the COVID pandemic hit will go a long way toward determining what kind of year 2023 will be for the New Jersey resort town.
There are also big questions looming over the city that could be answered in the new year, including deciding between dueling proposals for developing the former Bader Field airport property, and whether the state Legislature will act on a bill that would end smoking in Atlantic City casinos.
Resorts casino president Mark Giannantonio says he is “fairly optimistic” about the coming year.
“In 2022 we were buffeted by a difficult economy and very high inflation, and we’re beginning to see that come down,” he said, adding that local initiatives on improving safety and cleanliness are cause for optimism. “That’s going to add a new level of confidence,” Giannantonio said. “Our customers will see a difference and hopefully that will lead to more visitation.”
Getting back to and exceeding pre-COVID levels in their core business – winning money from in-person gamblers – remains the top goal of Atlantic City’s casinos. Through the first 11 months of 2022, the casinos won US$2.56 billion from on-premises gamblers, compared with $2.47 billion in the same period of 2019, before the pandemic hit.
To help accomplish that, many casinos will spend heavily on new hotel, dining, and entertainment projects in 2023, led by Caesars Entertainment, which is opening new restaurant, hotel room and entertainment projects at its three Atlantic City casinos.
Hard Rock plans to spend $30 million on live entertainment in the new year, Resorts is reinvesting at least $10 million in hotel and casino floor upgrades, and Golden Nugget will embark on a multimillion-dollar renovation of its hotel rooms and infrastructure.
Borgata has also planned yet-to-be announced new investments tied to its upcoming 20th anniversary and Ocean will spend $15 million on renovations to seven more hotel floors, in addition to adding a private helipad.
The Showboat Hotel, as well, plans to open a $100 million indoor water park by Memorial Day weekend.
Still, there remains cause for concern.
Mike Sampson, Sr; VP of Operations at the Hard Rock casino, said he believes “2023 is going to be a challenging year for Atlantic City.”
“In addition to economic uncertainty, the market will have to adjust to increased hotel inventory while visitation and revenue continues to decline at the majority of properties in the city,” he said.
The question of whether smoking will continue to be allowed in the casinos could also be addressed in 2023 and have lasting impact.
“We’re suffering; we need help,” said Thomas Truitt, a dealer at the Borgata. “When people are blowing smoke in your face, it’s hard to breathe.”
But Giannantonio, who also is president of the Casino Association of New Jersey, says business conditions need to improve before smoking can be ended. “We have to stabilize the industry,” he said during a recent public forum. “If you eliminate smoking, we are going to have a pretty significant and immediate downturn. There is a time for eliminating smoking – I’m not sure it’s right now.”