Snapshots November 2020
In LIGHT of the data.
While casinos earned approximately $650 million less March through June 2020 than the same period in 2019, as of November 2020, Atlantic City casinos trailed 2019 year-to-date total gaming revenue by just 21.5%. Internet gaming revenue, up 101% for the year-to-date, continues to soften the blow of the shutdown last spring and current operating capacity restrictions, but can do little to offset job losses and declines in non-gaming revenues.
Land-based gaming had gained ground in September and October. But, the start of a 鈥榮econd wave鈥 of COVID-19, followed by N.J. Executive Order 194, which, effective November 12, required indoor food and beverage options to close between 10 p.m. and 5 a.m., likely contributed to the decline in November. Additionally, a much needed holiday bump from Thanksgiving weekend, usually a busy time for casinos, was limited this year by travel restrictions between states and stern warnings about family gatherings.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Monthly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) |
November 2020 |
% Change from Prior Year | November 2019 | YTD November 2020 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD November 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | $260,859 | -9.6% | $288,591 | $2,373,726 | -21.5% | $3,022,553 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue | $22,471 | 44.9% | $15,509 | $137,391 | 23.6% | $111,199 |
| Internet Gaming Win | $91,827 | 86.9% | $49,138 | $870,888 | 101.0% | $433,367 |
| Casino Gaming Win | $146,561 | -34.6% | $223,944 | $1,365,448 | -44.9 | $2,477,987 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands) | Q3 2020 | % Change from Prior Year | Q3 2019 | YTD September 30, 2020 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD September 30, 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino | $398,733 | -18.7% | $490,347 | $865,604 | -34.2% | $1,315,609 |
| Rooms | $143,490 | -29.2% | $202,711 | $241,104 | -50.0% | $$482,424 |
| Food & Beverage | $50,900 | -68.8% | $162,918 | $154,639 | -64.7% | $437,704 |
| Entertainment & Other | $36,191 | -50.4% | $72,896 | $85,035 | -54.4% | $186,500 |
| Casino Licensees Total Revenue | $629,314 | -32.2% | $928,872 | $1,346,355 | -44.42% | $2,422,236 |
Atlantic City Hotel Lodging
Source: N.J. Division of Gaming Enforcement
| Casino Hotel Lodging Statistics For the Period Ended September 30, 2020 |
Q3 2020 | Q3 2019 | YTD 2020 | YTD 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 72.9% | 90.8% | 70.6% | 81.2% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $159.11 | $161.06 | $144.89 | $145.51 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $115.99 | $146.24 | $102.29 | $118.15 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
[As Atlantic City鈥檚 casino hotels were closed for the months of April, May and June there is no data available]
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source: South Jersey Transportation Authority
| Travel Mode | September 2020 |
Change from Prior Year |
September 2019 |
YTD September 2020 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD September 2019 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
1,466,344 | -15.0% | 1,725,091 | 10,881,915 | -29.0% | 15,315,896 |
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | 12,861 | -80.0% | 64,263 | 337,615 | -56.7% | 779,010 |
| Charter Passengers | 2,518 | -68.7% | 8,031 | 22,684 | -70.6% | 77,260 |
| Total Air Passengers | 15,379 | -78.7% | 72,294 | 360,299 | -57.9% | 856,270 |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source: MeetAC
| Nov '20 | Nov '19 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2020 YTD |
TOTAL 2019 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 0 | 2 | -100% | 20 | 75 | -73% |
| # of Room Nights | 0 | 32,804 | -100% | 68,752 | 243,799 | -72% |
| # of Delegates | 0 | 28,837 | -100% | 145,199 | 369,592 | -61% |
| Delegate Spending | $0 | $23,358,805 | -100% | $75,644,362 | $216,611,785 | -65% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 0 | 4 | -100% | 11 | 53 | -79% |
| # of Attendees | 0 | 27,871 | -100% | 129,722 | 327,906 | -60% |
| Hotel Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 0 | 20 | -100% | 42 | 168 | -75% |
| # of Room Nights | 0 | 10,038 | -100% | 30,390 | 120,650 | -75% |
| # of Attendees | 0 | 12,981 | -100% | 46,200 | 127,581 | -64% |
| Delegate Spending | $0 | $5,437,062 | -100% | $24,624,740 | $86,347,336 | -71% |
| Monthly Totals | ||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 0 | 26 | -100% | 73 | 254 | -71% |
| # of Room Nights | 0 | 42,842 | -100% | 99,142 | 364,449 | -73% |
| # of Attendees | 0 | 69,689 | -100% | 321,121 | 589,298 | -46% |
| Delegate Spending | $0 | $28,795,867 | -100% | $100,269,102 | $302,959,121 | -67% |
LIGHT Snapshots are a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality
& Tourism at 黑料社
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Institute Coordinator & Associate Professor of Hospitality
Atlantic City Information
Atlantic City mayor wants city to have 3-5 year exclusive right to sell recreational marijuana - As reported by on November 11, Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small proposed the state grant Atlantic City exclusive right to sell recreational marijuana for 3-5 years. The proposal met opposition from Senate President Steve Sweeney and other state legislators.
Atlantic County Workforce Development Board addresses high unemployment rate - As reported by , due to the impact of COVID-19 on the hospitality and tourism industries, Atlantic County has the highest unemployment rate in the state of New Jersey and led the nation in job losses . The Atlantic County Workforce Development Board, which provides training and support services for dislocated or qualified unemployed residents, has partnered with Atlantic Cape Community College to sponsor the Foundation for Success Program. The program aims to train up to 100 residents who are eligible for Work First New Jersey and Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funding to fill current job vacancies.
Boardwalk Hall restoration project on schedule - As reported by , a $1.8 million restoration and masonry project for Boardwalk Hall, which began earlier this year, is on track for completion by Summer 2021. The project includes structural repairs to the building's limestone and steel facade and the removal of two rusty and inoperable light towers that had been installed in 1980. The last renovation of the building exterior was conducted in 2010, and prior to that in 1980. Boardwalk Hall, built in 1929, is on the National Register of Historic Places.
New restrictions announced on outdoor gatherings and youth sports - As reported by on November 30, New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy, announced new restrictions on outdoor gatherings and youth sports. Effective December 5, all indoor youth and adult sports were put "on pause" through January 2, 2021 and effective December 7, the outdoor gathering limit was reduced to 25 people. There are exceptions for collegiate-level and professional team indoor sporting events, and for outdoor gatherings for religious or political activities, funerals, memorial services and wedding ceremonies. Earlier in the month, Governor Murphy announced that effective November 17, the indoor gathering limit would be reduced from 25 to 10 people.
Tourism District measures approved by Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) Board of Directors; operating budget reduced for 2021 - According to afrom the CRDA, several measures, including a public/private partnership with AC Development Company (ACDevco) for the Phase II development of 黑料社鈥檚 Atlantic City campus, were approved. The Board of Directors voted to approve Preliminary Determination of Project Eligibility (PDPE) for an Entrepreneurship Center serving women and minority-owned businesses, and PDPE for the Showboat Resort Hotel Entertainment Retail District (EDR). The EDR project includes the construction of a water park and family entertainment center as well as the renovation of the existing Showboat Hotel Tower. The project will only receive final approval after a public hearing. According to , the authority also announced a 2.4% reduction in its 2021 operating budget compared to 2020. Budgets for MeetAC (down by 20.3%), CRDA Marketing (down nearly 22%) and Capital Improvements (down nearly 66%) were reduced, and spending for the Special Improvement Division, which oversees maintenance and sanitation of Atlantic City鈥檚 Tourism District, was slightly increased (up 8%).
New Jersey Gaming News
Caesars closes on Bally's sale - As reported by , on November 18, Caesars Entertainment Inc. completed the sale of Bally's to Bally's Corporation (Formerly Twin River Worldwide Holdings Inc.). As part of the $25 million transaction, which has been in the works since April, Bally's Corporation will receive three sports betting and five iGaming skins in New Jersey. Bally's Corp. owns 10 casinos and racetracks nationwide with around 11,859 slot machines, 405 gaming tables, 54 stadium gaming positions, 49 dining establishments, 26 bars, 2,538 hotel rooms and four entertainment venues, and off-track wagering. According to the , Bally's Corp. has also purchased a sports betting technology company, Bet.Works, for $125 million.Bally's Corp. plans to split into two divisions "Bally's Casinos" and "Bally's Interactive."
Governor Murphy says there is no evidence that Atlantic City Casinos are responsible for COVID outbreaks - As reported by , New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy told reporters on November 18 that there was no evidence that casinos in Atlantic City were responsible for outbreaks of COVID-19. "We believe, based on the evidence that we have, that they鈥檝e been able to responsibly manage their casino floors,鈥 Murphy said during a briefing with other state officials. 鈥淲hether it鈥檚 through (personal protective equipment), whether it鈥檚 through dividers, capacity management, temperature checks, review of symptoms checks with people who go onto the floor, which is happening in all the casinos ... there is not any evidence that there is either bad managemen