April 2022 Snapshots
In LIGHT of the data.
In the April 2022 gross gaming revenue numbers from the state Division of Gaming Enforcement we see the continuation of an overall pattern of recovery for Atlantic City鈥檚 casino operators. Brick-and-mortar gross gaming revenue totals for the month improved over last month鈥檚 $216.6 million and last year鈥檚 $189.6 million by 8.6 and 24.1% respectively, and improved 13.3% over pre-pandemic April 2019 ($207.6 million).
With the return of warmer weather and the promise of a solid summer tourism season on the horizon, we should expect to see brick and mortar gross gaming revenue numbers gradually increase month-to-month as we head into the peak summer season.
Factors that contributed to increases in revenue last year - like pent-up demand and increased discretionary spending money because of COVID-19 subsidies - may be offset this year by inflation and higher gas prices, however we are not yet seeing evidence of this impact in the spring revenue numbers. Staffing shortages will likely continue to impact summer 2022 but may be mitigated by the return of foreign workers. While COVID remains a concern, the public seems to be returning to pre-pandemic social behavior by attending large gatherings, traveling more, and socializing with friends.
For a more through discussion and forecast of the upcoming summer 2022 tourism season, please see a recap and full recording of LIGHT鈥檚 14th Annual Jersey Shorecast HERE.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source:
| Monthly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) |
April 2022 |
% Change from Prior Year | April 2021 | YTD April 2022 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD April 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | 386,757 | 20.7 | 386,757 | 1,466,489 | 22.3 | 1,199,515 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue | 14,583 | (37.1) | 23,183 | 73,163 | (25.2) | 97,779 |
| Internet Gaming Win | 136,883 | 27.0 | 107,750 | 545,364 | 30.2 | 418,989 |
| Casino Gaming Win | 235,291 | 24.1 | 189,621 | 847,962 | 24.2 | 682,746 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands)** | Q4 2021 | % Change from Prior Year | Q4 2020 | YTD December 31, 2021 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD December 31, 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | $452,937 | 21.8% | $372,012 | $1,781,740 | 44.0% | $1,237,617 |
| Rooms | $135,229 | 77.8% | $76,059 | $617,785 | 93.1% | $319,936 |
| Food & Beverage | $111,653 | 105.3% | $54,390 | $408,335 | 95.3% | $209,036 |
| Entertainment & Other | $64,262 | 80.2% | $35,659 | $215,671 | 80.5% | $119,490 |
| Casino Licensees Total Revenue | $764,081 | 42.0% | $538,120 | $3,023,530 | 60.3% | $1,886,079 |
** Data agregated from New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for individual properties, includes amended totals as of April 12, 2022. May not match totals from which represent a 'snapshot' of data at the time of publication and are not retroactively updated.
Atlantic City Hotel Lodging
Source:
| Casino Hotel Lodging Statistics For the Period Ended September 30, 2021 & 2020 |
Q4 2021 | Q4 2020 | YTD 2021 | YTD 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 66.39% | 46.45% | 67.60% | 61.75% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $156.60 | $121.58 | $172.88 | $139.74 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $103.97 | $56.24 | $116.87 | $86.28 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source:
| Travel Mode | March 2022 |
Change from Prior Year |
March 2021 |
YTD March 2022 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD March 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
1,356,355 | 10.9% | 1,223,507 | 3,606,785 | 15.7% | 3,118,019 |
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | 73,019 | 20.2% | 60,732 | 192,343 | 55.7% | 123,563 |
| Charter Passengers | 10,256 | 398.6% | 2,057 | 24,033 | 402.8% | 4,780 |
| Total Air Passengers | 83,275 | 32.6% | 62,789 | 216,376 | 68.6% | 128,343 |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source:
| April '22 | April '21 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2022 YTD |
TOTAL 2021 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings* | ||||||
| # of Shows | 9 | 0 | N/A | 27 | 2 | 1250% |
| # of Room Nights | 10,322 | 0 | N/A | 40,844 | 1,778 | 2197% |
| # of Delegates | 29,347 | 0 | N/A | 203,713 | 1,236 | 16382% |
| Delegate Spending | $7,504,233 | $0 | N/A | $40,064,786 | $1,335,872 | 2899% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 2 | 0 | N/A | 10 | 0 | N/A |
| # of Attendees | 10,268 | 0 | N/A | 65,352 | 0 | N/A |
| Hotel Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 12 | 12 | 0% | 36 | 20 | 80% |
| # of Room Nights | 4,428 | 9,789 | -55% | 30,271 | 12,207 | 148% |
| # of Attendees | 10,420 | 6,902 | 51% | 47,523 | 23,383 | 103% |
| Delegate Spending | $3,743,569 | $4,885,841 | -23% | $21,443,060 | $8,096,693 | 165% |
| Monthly Totals | ||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 23 | 12 | 92% | 73 | 22 | 232% |
| # of Room Nights | 14,750 | 9,789 | 51% | 71,115 | 13,985 | 409% |
| # of Attendees | 50,035 | 6,902 | 625% | 316,588 | 24,619 | 1186% |
| Delegate Spending | $11,247,802 | $4,885,841 | 130% | $61,507,846 | $9,432,565 | 552% |
Notes:
Reduction in figures beginning mid-March 2020 are due to cancellations and/or shut downs as a result of COVID-19
January 2021 hotel attendees reflect virtual attendance numbers
*Includes Meet AC events booked at Boardwalk Hall
LIGHT Snapshots is a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality
& Tourism, 黑料社 School of Business
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Faculty Director and Associate Professor of Hospitality
Atlantic City Information
Atlantic Cape Community College building Innovation Center, launching esports and cybersecurity programs - According to an April 27 from Atlantic Cape Community College, construction is underway on an Innovation Center, which will house esports and cybersecurity programs beginning fall 2022. The center, which will replace Boyer Hall on Atlantic Cape's Mays Landing campus, is being funded through a $4 million New Jersey鈥檚 Securing Our Children鈥檚 Future Bond Act grant and $1.33 million from Atlantic County. Further reporting by .
Atlantic City Council introduces $218.6 million budget - As reported by , on April 20, Atlantic City Council introduced a city budget that lowers the local tax rate while giving significant raises to city workers. A public hearing on the budget will be held on May 18th.
Atlantic City receives $1 million in grant funding as part of New Jersey Department of Community Affairs Neighborhood Revitalization Tax Credit program - As reported by and , The Atlantic City Development Corp. and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance received $1 million total in grants from Fulton Bank in support of two revitalization efforts in the city - ACDevco's 2022 and the Economic Alliance鈥檚 .
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) grants $50,000 to Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties (JFS) - As reported by the CRDA has awarded $50,000 to JFS for the program. The program connects individuals and families in Atlantic City experiencing homelessness to secure housing and other necessary services. According to a 2020 Atlantic County Point-in-Time Count, 95% of the county鈥檚 homeless population live in Atlantic City according to U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on homelessness in Atlantic City and County.
CRDA Appoints Deputy Executive Director - According to an April 28 , the CRDA has appointed as its new Deputy Executive Director. Moore replaces Rosa Farias who departed in March.
Judge rules in favor of PILOT law reconsideration - As reported by , on May 2 Superior Court Judge Michael J. Blee upheld a previous judge's ruling that changes to the payments-in-lieu-of-taxes law for Atlantic City鈥檚 casinos violate a 2018 court settlement with Atlantic County.
New Jersey Gaming News
American Legion, New Jersey Casino Control Commission partner on job fair - seek to fill 2,500 casino jobs - As reported by , on April 28, Atlantic City's nine casinos participated in a job fair hosted by the American Legion and Casino Control Commission with the goal of filling 2,500 positions, including as many as 1,300 full-time jobs in the resort. Further reporting by . The job fair is part of a at casinos across the region and nation.
Caesars Entertainment to partially power three Atlantic City properties with solar energy project - As reported by , Caesars Entertainment is working with DSD Renewables on a solar energy project that "will generate more than 10,000 kwh of clean, renewable energy." Operators view the project as a 'critical step' for environmental sustainability in the region.
Dealers union backs smoking ban - On April 25 United Auto Workers (UAW), a union representing Atlantic City casino dealers, sent a to state legislators stating their support of bills and , which would "eliminate smoking ban exemption for casinos and simulcasting facilities." Further reporting from .
Esports Entertainment Group (EEG) launches online betting platform Vie.gg in New Jersey - After successfully completing a 'soft play' phase, on April 4, EEG that its esports betting platform, Vie.gg would fully lanch in New Jersey. EEG, affilited with the licences of Bally's casino, is the first operator to be granted permission to launch full esports betting operations in the state of New Jersey. Through EEG, bettors in New Jersey will now have the ability to wager on professional esports events so long as they appear on the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcements's (DGE) approved list of games. Unlike other operators to date, EEG will not need to seek DGE approval on a case-by-case basis. Reporting by , and
Patron alleges FanDuel violated New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act by not refunding deposit - As reported by , a FanDuel patron has filed a lawsuit with the Superior Court of New Jersey alleging that FanDuel's advertising is 鈥渇raudulent, misleading, and incorrect鈥 in relati