March 2021
In LIGHT of the data.
The Q4 2020 report from the DGE marks the end of one of the most challenging years in the history of casino gaming in Atlantic City. A year that began with so much hope and the expectation of record high revenues, ended instead with record lows. The 2020 year-end net revenue ($1.86 billion) was the lowest since 2015 ($2.64 billion) the recent record low.
Gross Operating Profit, often used as an indicator of industry health, finished out the year 80.2% behind 2019. A historic 107-day shutdown, occupancy restrictions, increased operating costs and a curfew for food and beverage services made it especially difficult for operators to turn a profit in 2020.
It is testament to the importance of dining as part of the recovery for the region and overall Atlantic City experience that New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, chose an Atlantic City restaurant as venue for the signing of restaurant relief legislation.
The number of occupied room nights at casino hotels (2.3 million) was down 46.7% for 2020 compared to 2019 (4.3 million), and the occupancy rate (61.7%) was 17.2 percentage points behind 2019 (78.9%). Average 2020 RevPAR ($85.47) was down 23.7% compared to 2019 ($112.12). Atlantic City casino hotels fared better than most regarding occupancy. Average Hotel Occupancy rates in the U.S. during the pandemic remained below 50% even in the summer months.
The data tells a story of perseverance and adaptation in the face of significant obstacles. There is every reason to hope that as these obstacles are removed or overcome, the industry will again flourish, fueled by nationwide pent-up demand for travel and entertainment.
An analysis of the impact of a year of COVID-19 on Atlantic City gaming, tourism, travel and employment is available on the LIGHT website – /light/research.html.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source:
Monthly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) |
March 2021 |
% Change from Prior Year | March 2020 | YTD March 2021 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD March 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | $324,994 | 107.4% | $156,714 | $878,960 | 25.2% | $702,145 |
Sports Wagering Revenue | $26,451 | 311.9% | $6,422 | $74,596 | 115.6% | $34,602 |
Internet Gaming Win | $113,669 | 75.4% | $64,822 | $311,240 | 81.1% | $171,896 |
Casino Gaming Win | $184,874 | 116.3% | $85,470 | $493,125 | -0.5% | $495,646 |
Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) | Q4 2020 | % Change from Prior Year | Q4 2019 | YTD December 31, 2020 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD December 31, 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Casino | $372,012 | -8.3% | $405,624 | $1,213,630 | -27.9% | $1,682,701 |
Rooms | $76,059 | -39.1% | $124,949 | $317,163 | -47.8% | $607,373 |
Food & Beverage | $54,390 | -59.8% | $135,147 | $209,029 | -63.5% | $572,851 |
Entertainment & Other | $35,659 | -41.1% | $60,559 | $120,694 | -51.1% | $247,059 |
Casino Licensees Total Revenue | $538,120 | -25.9% | $726,279 | $1,860,516 | -40.2% | $3,109,984 |
[Note: The online operations of Golden Nugget (GNAC) were transferred to an affiliate called Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG) in the 4th quarter of 2021. The 4th quarter 2021 report is the first in which the revenues of each entity are listed seperatly. Previous reports have not yet been restated to reflect this change. Totals in the table above have been adjusted to match as nearly as possible reporting from the DGE as of April 9, 2021.]
Atlantic City Hotel Lodging
Source:
Casino Hotel Lodging Statistics For the Period Ended December 31, 2020 |
Q4 2020 | Q4 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
---|---|---|---|---|
Occupancy percentage | 46.3% | 72.2% | 61.7% | 78.9% |
Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $121.58 | $132.70 | $138.52 | $142.11 |
Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $56.24 | $95.78 | $85.47 | $112.12 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
[Note: Atlantic City’s casino hotels were closed in April, May and June due to COVID-19 restrictions.]
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source:
Travel Mode | February 2021 |
Change from Prior Year |
February 2020 |
YTD February 2021 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD February 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
AC Expressway | ||||||
Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
923,004 | 37.6% | 1,479,501 | 1,894,514 | -35.5% | 2,938,407 |
AC Airport | ||||||
Scheduled Service Passengers | 32,166 | -67.0% | 97,341 | 62,831 | -66.9% | 190,043 |
Charter Passengers | 1,459 | -77.5% | 6,497 | 2,723 | -78.3% | 12,525 |
Total Air Passengers | 33,625 | -67.6% | 103,838 | 65,554 | -67.6% | 202,568 |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source:
Mar '21 | Mar '20 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2021 YTD |
TOTAL 2020 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings | ||||||
# of Shows | 1 | 5 | -80% | 2 | 22 | -91% |
# of Room Nights | 1,778 | 9,582 | -81% | 1,778 | 72,188 | -98% |
# of Delegates | 7,000 | 88,029 | -92% | 7,036 | 217,187 | -97% |
Delegate Spending | $1,846,392 | $12,683,288 | -85% | $1,859,517 | $56,790,400 | -97% |
Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
# of Shows | 0 | 2 | -100% | 0 | 11 | -100% |
# of Attendees | 0 | 42,911 | -100% | 0 | 129,722 | -100% |
Hotel Bookings | ||||||
# of Shows | 5 | 3 | 67% | 8 | 25 | -68% |
# of Room Nights | 1,970 | 2,804 | -30% | 2,418 | 15,689 | -85% |
# of Attendees | 5,106 | 4,480 | 14% | 16,481 | 22,250 | -26% |
Delegate Spending | $978,389 | $1,122,924 | -13% | $3,210,852 | $8,875,160 | -64% |
Monthly Totals | ||||||
# Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 6 | 10 | -40% | 10 | 58 | -83% |
# of Room Nights | 3,748 | 12,386 | -70% | 4,196 | 87,877 | -95% |
# of Attendees | 12,106 | 135,420 | -91% | 23,517 | 369,159 | -94% |
Delegate Spending | $2,824,781 | $13,806,212 | -80% | $5,061,369 | $65,665,560 | -92% |
Note: Reduction in figures beginning mid-March 2020 are due to cancellations and/or shut downs as a result of COVID-19
LIGHT Snapshots is a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality
& Tourism at ºÚÁÏÉç
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Institute Coordinator and Associate Professor of Hospitality
Atlantic City Information
AtlantiCare breaks ground on new medical facility in Atlantic City - As reported by , on March 30, AtlantiCare broke ground on a $38 million Medical Arts Pavillion on South Ohio Avenue in Atlantic City. The three-story, 69,700 square-foot facility will include an urgent care center, dialysis unit, maternal and fetal health program, and teaching facilities for medical students and physician residents. The pandemic delayed the project, which is expected to be finished late 2022.
Atlantic City International chosen for FAA testing - According to a March 2 from the Federal Aviation Admonistration. Atlantic City International Airport has been selected as one of five airports to test and evaluate unmanned aircraft detection and mitigation systems. The testing, which will begin later in 2021 and continue to 2023, will "lead to the implementation of new technologies that will make airports safer for passengers and manned aircraft" and create standards for the future.
Atlantic City finalizes plans to rivise Atlantic Avenue traffic flow, improve safety - As reported by , city leaders are considering a plan to reengineer one of the city's main roadways, Atlantic Avenue. The $8 million to $10 million dollar project (90% federally finded) would reduce the four-lane roadway to two lanes separated by a center median. Protected bike lanes would take the place of the outside travel lanes and cars would continue to park at the curb. The project, which could start construction as early as December 2021, aims to improve safety by slowing down traffic and improving visibility for vehicles, cyclists and pedestrians.
Demolition begins on Black Horse Pike motels - According to , the first of four motels along the Black Horse Pike in West Atlantic City has been demolished. The four properties, Bay Point Inn, Hi-Ho Motel, Destiny Inn and Budget Motel, should all be demolished by, as part of an ongoing to address blight and flooding along one of the three main entryways to Atlantic City.
NJSIAA wrestling tournament will not be held in Atlantic City - As reported by , the annual NJSIAA individual wrestling tournament will not be held at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City this year. Tournament organizers announced alternative locations for the tournament, which has held individual championship matches at Boardwalk Hall since 2001 and has a history with the city going back to 1992.
Ocean Casino Restort to host Professional Fighters League (PFL) 2021 regular season bubble - According to a release from , Ocean Casino Resort will host the league's six week 2021 regular season in a 'state-of-the-art bubble environment.' No fans will be in attendance at the events, which will be broadcast live on ESPN2 and ESPN+. According to , Ocean Casino Resort has previously hosted PFL events during the 2018 and 2019 seasons.
U.S. Economic Development Authority awards $3 million to Atlantic County - As reported by , the U.S. Economic Development Authority has awarded $3 million to Atlantic County for the construction of a second building at the National Aviation Research and Technology Park (NARTP) in Egg Harbor Township. Once complete the two-story, 40,000 square-foot building will house at least three aviation technology companies, generating an additional 165 technology-based jobs. Economic development leaders hope the $11 million project will help strengthen Atlantic County’s growing aviation cluster and attract additional investment.
New Jersey Gaming News
Atlantic City Casinos, indoor dining establishments allowed to operate at 50% capacity - According to , effective March 19, Atlantic City Casinos, indoor dining establishments and other businesses statewide were permitted to increase operating capacity from 35% (since February 5) to 50%. The order was signed by New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy on March 11.
FanDuel sportsbook opens at Bally's Atlantic City -According to a March 15 release via , the FanDuel Sportsbook has opened its permanent sports betting lounge at Bally's