July 2022 Snapshots
In LIGHT of the data.
July 2022 showed indications of a strong summer season fueled by a return to normal operations and consumer behavior. At $299 million, July 2022 brick and mortar gaming revenues for Atlantic City鈥檚 nine casinos exceeded July 2021 by 8%. Unlike last summer, Atlantic City casinos in 2022 are operating without official public health restrictions, which were still in place at the start of summer 2021. There also isn鈥檛 the 鈥淐OVID-19 drag鈥 of persisting public health concerns that kept some visitors from returning to pre-pandemic behaviors even after an end to the COVID-19 public health emergency in New Jersey.
Meetings, conventions and trade shows are back in full swing this summer. Data provided by Meet AC show some of the clearest indicators of an end to the COVID-19 drag and a return to pre-pandemic (or better) levels of activity. In the six months ended June 2019, Meet AC facilitated 134 conventions, trade shows and meetings, and welcomed 345,000. In the same period ended 2022, Meet AC facilitated 138 conventions, trade shows and meetings, and welcomed 453,000 鈥 this represented a 316% and 1377% increase respectively over the same period in 2021. In 2021, Meet AC facilitated just 33 conventions, trade shows and meetings, and welcomed only 30,700 attendees.
Further, July鈥檚 2022 brick and mortar gaming revenues also exceeding July 2019 ($277.2 million) by 8% is a hopeful indication that the growth trend that we saw before the pandemic may be back on track. Seven months in, 2022 leads 2019 for total brick and mortar casino revenue by 4.4% and, for the first time since the start of the pandemic, there seems to be a real chance that 2022 year-end brick and mortar casino revenue will exceed 2019.
Consistent with an emerging trend, internet gaming revenue for the month shows signs of plateauing, likely due to a seasonally driven shift in gambling behavior or a potential preference for in-person gaming activities during the summer.
But this did not prevent July 2022 from turning in the strongest total casino industry revenue performance (excluding racetracks) in recent history (since 2011). At $453.1 million, July 2022 beat out July 2021 ($416.3 million) to set a new near-term record for single month industry total gaming revenue. Year to date 2022 total industry gaming revenue exceeds 2021 by 8.9% and, with another 40% at least of revenue still to be earned in 2022, indications seem to favor another year-end revenue total of over $4 billion.
Data from the South Jersey Transportation Authority suggests a promising, but still incomplete recovery for visitation to the city. Traffic through the Pleasantville Toll Plaza of the Atlantic City Expressway has increased 6.3% in the first half of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, however, counts for the six months ended June 2022 still haven鈥檛 recovered fully to pre-pandemic levels. At 8.1 million, vehicle counts at the plaza lag the 2019 total from the same period (9.4 million) by almost 15%.
It is unclear if a portion of the lower vehicle counts may be attributable to less trips by locals who may be working from home or car-pooling to combat high gas prices, or drivers opting not to use the expressway due to a recent increase in the price of tolls. With brick-and-mortar revenue exceeding pre-pandemic levels the lower vehicle counts do not seem to be influencing economic activity at the casinos.
Atlantic City Gaming Win & Total Casino Revenue
Source:
| Monthly Revenue (Casino Licensees, $ In Thousands) |
July 2022 |
% Change from Prior Year | July 2021 | YTD July 2022 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD July 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Gaming Win (includes Internet & Sports Wagering) | 453,140 | 8.9% | 416,281 | 2,687,179 | 16.9% | 2,298,682 |
| Sports Wagering Revenue | 17,448 | -15.7% | 20,695 | 126,839 | -20.0% | 158,470 |
| Internet Gaming Win | 136,701 | 15.2% | 118,685 | 951,221 | 26.3% | 752,899 |
| Casino Gaming Win | 298,991 | 8.0% | 276,900 | 1,609,119 | 16.0% | 1,387,313 |
| Quarterly Revenue (Industry, $ In Thousands)** | Q1 2022 | % Change from Prior Year | Q1 2021 | YTD March 31, 2022 | % Change from Prior Year | YTD March 31, 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Casino |
$444,943 |
18.0% | $377,151 | $444,943 | 18.0% | $377,151 |
| Rooms | $119,399 | 32.3% | $90,224 | $119,399 | 32.3% | $90,224 |
| Food & Beverage | $103,714 | 62.8% | $63,720 | $103,714 | 62.8% | $63,720 |
| Entertainment & Other | $51,729 | 53.5% | $33,693 | $51,729 | 53.5% | $33,693 |
| Casino Licensees Total Revenue | $719,785 | 27.4% | $564,788 | $719,785 | 27.4% | $564,788 |
** 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 March 31, 2022 & 2021 |
Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | YTD 2022 | YTD 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Occupancy percentage | 63.05% | 52.41% | 63.05% | 52.41% |
| Average Daily Room Rate (ADR) | $152.20 | $130.74 | $152.20 | $130.74 |
| Revenue Per Available Room (RevPAR)* | $95.96 | $68.52 | $95.96 | $68.52 |
* RevPAR= ADR X Occupancy Percentage
Atlantic City Statistical Transportation Data
Source:
| Travel Mode | June 2022 |
Change from Prior Year |
June 2021 |
YTD June 2022 |
Change from Prior Year |
YTD June 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AC Expressway | ||||||
| Total Toll-Paying Traffic Pleasantville Toll Plaza |
1,579,702 | -5.3% | 1,668,829 | 8,060,996 | 6.3% | 7,582,127 |
| AC Airport | ||||||
| Scheduled Service Passengers | 74,248 | -9.1% | 81,645 | 412,700 | 9.9% | 375,634 |
| Charter Passengers | 11,084 | 252.1% | 3,148 | 60,227 | 329.0% | 14,038 |
| Total Air Passengers | 85,332 | 0.6% | 84,793 | 472,927 | 21.4% | 389,672 |
Atlantic City Meetings and Conventions Data
Source:
| July '22 | July '21 | % Change from Prior Year |
TOTAL 2022 YTD |
TOTAL 2021 YTD |
% Change from Prior Year |
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Conventions/Tradeshows/Meetings* | ||||||
| # of Shows | 8 | 4 | 100% | 50 | 10 | 400% |
| # of Room Nights | 18,109 | 7,588 | 139% | 72,378 | 9,406 | 669% |
| # of Delegates | 80,665 | 37,510 | 115% | 348,806 | 44,806 | 678% |
| Delegate Spending | $19,861,473 | $7,057,118 | 181% | $112,543,055 | $9,239,404 | 1118% |
| Boardwalk Hall Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 5 | 0 | N/A | 22 | 0 | N/A |
| # of Attendees | 21,405 | 0 | N/A | 110,152 | 0 | N/A |
| Hotel Bookings | ||||||
| # of Shows | 13 | 19 | -32% | 92 | 65 | 42% |
| # of Room Nights | 19,436 | 19,156 | 1% | 74,193 | 64,814 | 14% |
| # of Attendees | 29,311 | 25,785 | 14% | 125,374 | 75,846 | 65% |
| Delegate Spending | $10,809,254 | $10,032,078 | 8% | $47,973,481 | $37,258,326 | 29% |
| Monthly Totals | ||||||
| # Convs_Trade_Mtgs / Boardwalk Hall / Hotel | 26 | 23 | 13% | 164 | 75 | 119% |
| # of Room Nights | 37,545 | 26,744 | 40% | 146,571 | 74,220 | 97% |
| # of Attendees | 131,381 | 63,295 | 108% | 584,332 | 120,652 | 384% |
| Delegate Spending | $30,670,727 | $17,089,196 | 79% | $160,516,536 | $46,497,730 | 245% |
Notes:
January 2021 hotel attendees reflect virtual attendance numbers
March and August 2021 conventions/tradeshow numbers updated based on information received after reporting deadline
January 2022 conventions/tradeshow numbers updated based on information received after reporting deadline
March 2022 Boardwalk Hall Bookings updated based on information received after reporting deadline
*Includes Meet AC events booked at Boardwalk Hall
LIGHT Snapshots is a publication of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality
& Tourism, 淫性视频 School of Business
Jane Bokunewicz, Ph. D., Faculty Director and Associate Professor of Hospitality
Atlantic City Information
Atlantic City Free Public Library main branch to receive makeover - As reported by , the William K. Cheatham Building on Tennessee Avenue will receive its first extensive capital improvements in 37 years. Work will include remodeling of first-floor bathrooms, exterior cleaning, replacement of front stairs and sidewalk, and improvements to lighting, signage and railings. Work is expected to be completed Fall 2022. Library will remain open during construction. Total construction cost ($448,500) to be financed in part (50%) by New Jersey Library Construction Bond Act grant funding.
Atlantic City Police Department opens new substation on Boardwalk - As reported by , the Atlantic City Police Department has opened a new satellite headquarters at 1325 Boardwalk. The substation is intended to improve response times to quality-of-life and safety issues in the city's Tourism District.
City Council approves lease of Carnegie Library to nonprofit - As reported by the first-floor and half of the second, of the Carnegie Library will be rented to the National Action Network鈥檚 NAN Newark Tech World for use as a community and education center for youth in Atlantic City. NAN will pay $1 per year for five years and cover half the utility bill for the building, an estimated $50,000 per year.
No update on Atlantic City Supermarket Project - As reported by , an $18.5 million project to bring a 44,000-square-foot ShopRite to 1801 Baltic Ave. has made little progress since its November 2021 groundbreaking.
淫性视频鈥檚 Noyes Museum of Art receives $30,000 grant from Geraldine R. Dodge Foundation - According to a 淫性视频 press release, The Dodge Foundation has awarded the Noyes Museum of Art of 淫性视频 a $30,000 general operating support grant. Funds from the grant will be used to support museum programing and community access including: keeping access to programs and exhibitions at low-to-no cost for the local community, expanding a community garden, supporting student programing, expanding programs to individuals with disabilities, and providing cultural engagement opportunities to Hammonton's growing Latino population. Additional reporting from .
淫性视频 Phase II Residence Hall project celebrates milestone - On July 19, members of the 淫性视频 and local communities gathered to celebrate the "topping-off" of the Phase II Residence Hall. The six-story, 416-bed residence hall is set to open in Fall 2023. 淫性视频 press release, further reporting by , and .
淫性视频 President Harvey Kesselman announces retirement - At the July 20 meeting of the University's Board of Trustees, President Kesselman announced that he will retire at the end of the current fiscal year (June 30, 2023). President Kesselman has served as the University's fifth president since 2015, and was a member of 淫性视频's inaugural class in 1971. Read the full 淫性视频 press release, view a Special Message from President Kesselman.
New Jersey Gaming News
Assemblyman Ronald Dacer Remembered for "legacy of advocacy" - As reported by , and , Assemblyman Ronald Dancer passed away on July 23 after a long illness. Dancer represented the 12th District for nearly 20 years and served on the Agriculture and Food Security; Military and Veterans' Affairs; and Tourism, Gaming and the Arts committees. He was a longtime advocate of the New Jersey horse racing industry and served on the New Jersey Horse Racing Commission from 1999 to 2002.
Hard Rock International announces leadership appointments for Atlantic City and Las Vegas - As announced in a from Hard Rock International, Joe Lupo, current President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will become president of the future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas once Hard Rock International completes its purchase of The Mirage Hotel & Casino from MGM Resorts International. Anthony Faranca, current general manager of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, will be promoted to property president effective Sept. 1. Further reporting from and .
Legislators consider eliminating smoking ban exemption for casinos - As reported by , New Jersey legislators are considering legislation (/) that would eliminate the exemption to the 2006 Smoke-Free Air Act that permitted casinos and simulcasting facilites to continue to allow smoking indoors. According to further reporting by , casino dealers are not in favor of a proposal being discussed by legislators to permit casinos to create designated outdoor smoking areas that employees could opt out of staffing. The Assembly and Senate bills, which seem to have strong support from legislators have, none the less, stalled
Union and Atlantic City casinos reach agreement on new contracts - As reported by , as of July 28 all nine of Atlantic City's casinos had reached an agreement with Local 54 of the Unite Here union for new four-year labor contracts, avoiding potential labor strikes. New contracts include significant raises for union members including housekeeping employees, who will immediately see their hourly salary increased to $18, up from varying levels at different casinos. Their pay will increase to $22 per hour at the end of the four-year contract. Further reporting from and .
National Gaming News
Dream Las Vegas Casino Hotel, part of Southern Strip expansion, breaks ground - According to , The Dream Hotel Group based in New York City, broke ground July 8 on a $550 million hotel and casino project adjacent to Harry Reid International Airport. The resort is considered part of a 'boom' in development along the southern end of the Las Vegas Strip likely set in motion by the arrival of the NFL's Raiders and the $1.9 billion Allegiant Stadium nearby.
Massachusetts to legalize sports betting - According to and , Massachusetts legislators reached an agreement on legislation to legalize sports betting on Aug. 1. The state is expected to pass a sports betting bill in 2022, but the timeline for launching legal sports wagering in the state is unknown.
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Fines Caesars Entertainment for regulatory violations - As reported by and , Caesars Entertainment was fined $50,000 by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) for repeated regulatory infractions. According to the DGE, as of November 2021, Caesars failed to properly register and license 49 key employees over a period of more than a year. Because Caesars initially self reported and acted in a timely manner to resolve infractions it discovered in May 2021, the DGE innitially declined to penalize, but the revelation of additional infractions led Caesars to agree to the $50,000 fine in recognition of the seriousness of its failure to register its casino employees with the DGE.
Part of propertywide Bally's to Horseshoe Las Vegas rebranding, on-site sportsbook set to become family friendly arcade - As reported by , as part of a propertywide branding transition from Bally's to Horseshoe Las Vegas, the 7,000-square-foot, on-site sportsbook has been closed. Operators announce plans to convert the space to a family friendly arcade in an effort to welcome a broader audience.
Penn National stops taking bets through theScore Bet sportsbook focuses on Barstool Sportsbook brand - As reported by , Penn National has ceased to operate theScore Bet in the U.S. The brand, still in operation in Canada, was shuttered in favor of the Barstool Sportsbook brand.
Hospitality & Tourism News
113th annual NAACP National Convention comes to Atlantic City - As reported by and , Atlantic City hosted the for the fourth time in history and first time since 1955. The convention, which ran from July 14-20, featured over 90 individual events and attracted approximatly 6,000 attendees. Vice President Kamala Harris, was among several notable attendees and gave a on July 18. Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr., told the media he "hopes the national convention will one day come back to the city, and that since the city was in the national spotlight once again, other organizations will consider holding big events here." Additional reporting from .
42nd Annual National Sports Collectors Convention held in Atlantic City - As reported by , and, The National Sports Collectors Convention returned to Atlantic City July 27 -31. The , one of the largest of its kind, attracted 60,000 attendees to Atlantic City's Convention Center. Reportedly the second largest attendance in the history of the convention, it may also have been, according to Show Manager John Broggi, "the largest event held at the Atlantic City Convention Center, or, Boardwalk Hall in at least 10 years."
Barnegat Lighthouse receives $1.3 million in renovations - As reported by , the historic landmark is receiving $1.3 million in maintenance and capital improvements including: masonry recoating and repairs to the brick fa莽ade, interior lantern steel platform repairs, roof repairs and new windows. Work, started in March, is expected to be complete, and the lighthouse reopened to the public, by Oct. 15, 2022. The state park remains open durring renovations.
Collaborative project between the Noyes Museum of Art of 淫性视频, Create 48 and the Atlantic City Arts Foundation produces two new murals in Atlantic City - According to a 淫性视频 press release and , two new murals celebrating four African American education trailblazers, and three different civil rights leaders were completed in time for the NAACP National Convention, which took place in Atlantic City for the first time since 1968. As reported by , held a kickoff party earlier in the month, the first of three large-scale events planned for this summer as part of its 48 Blocks Atlantic City program.
Restrictive guidelines imposed by Division of Alcoholic Beverage Control to impact New Jersey Breweries - As reported by , 18 were issued by the Division of Alcohol and Beverage Control effective July 1. Among the conditions are prohibitions against food service and food truck operations, "pop up" shops, bazaars and craft shows, and more than 25 on-premises "special events" per calendar year. "Special events" include any live music or performance, or live-televised championship sporting event. Further reporting by .
Spirit Airlines, Inc. (鈥淪pirit鈥) and JetBlue Airways Corporation (鈥淛etBlue鈥) announce "definative merger agreement" - According to a July 28 , Spirit and JetBlue have agreed to a merger, which, if approved by regulators, would create the fifth-larges U.S. airline carrier. The announcement comes one day after an anticipated merger between Spirit and Frontier Airlines was abandoned. Further reporting from and .
淫性视频 Continuing Studies Program emphasizes Atlantic City history with weekly walking tours - According to a 淫性视频 press release and as reported by , 淫性视频's Office of Continuing Studies hosted a series of weekly walking tours in July focusing on Atlantic City cultural history. Led by Levi Fox, adjunct professor of General Studies and Atlantic City historian, tour participants visited a number of sites throughout the city and learned about their cultural and historical significance. Fox and tour developer, Diana Strelczyk, assistant director of the Office of Continuing Studies, believe the tours not only provide a fun and informative experience but also encourage trusting relationships among tourists and residents.
