Atlantic City Could Lose 8,100 Casino Jobs By 2035

Atlantic City could lose more than 8,100 casino jobs and almost $1.3 billion in annual revenue by 2035 under the toughest scenario in a new Atlantic County Economic Alliance study.

The report combines several risks, including New York casino competition, online gambling growth, inflation and possible North Jersey casinos. It presents four planning cases rather than a single forecast.

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Good to Know

• The highest exposure case puts more than one third of current casino employment at risk.
• Without North Jersey casinos, projected losses fall to about 5,100 jobs and $815 million in annual revenue.
• Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park and Resorts World New York City now hold the three downstate New York casino licences.

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New York Competition Raises The Stakes

The three New York projects have turned a long discussed threat into a more immediate one for Atlantic City.

At the same time, more gambling revenue continues to shift online, where fewer hotel, hospitality and supplier jobs are required.

Max Slusher, director of business development at the alliance, said:

“This is a planning document, not a doomsday prophecy. But the size of the exposure is real, and the region needs to see it clearly before more competitive pressure is added.”

The local impact could be concentrated. Nearly 70% of Atlantic City casino hotel workers live in Atlantic City, Pleasantville, Egg Harbor Township, Galloway Township and Hamilton Township.

Conventions Offer One Route To Protect Jobs

The alliance wants more investment in conventions, meetings and nongaming tourism because casino workers in food service, housekeeping, transportation and banquets can transfer more easily into those sectors.

However, a proposed Meadowlands convention center could create more competition inside New Jersey.

Visit Atlantic City president and CEO Gary Musich said:

“If you invest in this, we become a development hub, and you grow that market for the state of New Jersey, not just moving it from South Jersey to North Jersey.”

The report also recommends delaying any North Jersey casino approvals until worker retraining, union protections and safeguards for the Casino Revenue Fund are in place.

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