AC casinos see increase in gambling revenue in May

AC casinos see increase in gambling revenue in May The Atlantic City casinos have finally caught a break, reporting 1.6% combined gambling revenue increase in May, compared to the same month last year. The 11 casinos in Atlantic City saw gamblers losing total of $415.3 million or 1.6% more than they did last May, according to the numbers released by the state Casino Control Commission. Leaders among the casino games were once again the slots with $289.6 million in revenues, while the table games brought in $125.7 million. Statistically, however, the slots revenue of the Atlantic City casinos declined by 1.5% and the table games were up 9.5%. Leader among the 11 casinos was the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, where revenue was up 11.4% compared to last May, up to $44.7 million. The loser this month was Caesars Atlantic City with 4.7% decline in revenues to $46.3 million. The revenue at Bally's Atlantic City was also down 3.3% and and the Showboat Casino Hotel was down 1.9%.

The lucky break the casinos in New Jersey are catching is explained by some with the extra weekend this May - extra Friday and Saturday fell on this year's calendar, typically the busiest days of the week for the casinos. But any bit would help the U.S. second largest gambling destination - this was only the third month out of 17 when the AC casinos showed combined increased revenues. Bad economy and loss of business to neighboring states due to smoking ban are the main factors blamed for the overall decline of the Atlantic City casinos. The Pa smoking ban passed by State Senate yesterday could slightly improve the position of the Atlantic City casinos once it goes in effect.

Published on 06/11/2008