Atlantic City, NJ – The storied gambling mecca of Atlantic City finds itself at a critical juncture, facing an unprecedented wave of potential competition that threatens to reshape its economic landscape. As revenue figures for the city’s traditional brick-and-mortar casinos show a decline, the specter of new gaming facilities in New York and the burgeoning possibility of casinos in North Jersey loom large, sparking urgent discussions among regional leaders and lawmakers. A recent briefing hosted by the Greater Atlantic City Chamber and the Atlantic County Economic Alliance (ACEA) underscored the gravity of the situation, painting a stark picture of potential job losses and economic ripple effects extending far beyond the casino floor.
The core of the concern stems from a confluence of factors. New York has already greenlit the development of new casinos, including one operational in New York City with two more slated for 2030. Simultaneously, legislative momentum is building in North Jersey, with discussions centering on the potential for casino development in the Meadowlands. These developments, coupled with the persistent growth of online gaming and sports wagering, are creating a volatile environment for Atlantic City’s established industry.
"As we have been projecting for the last six months, it would appear that there is, after adjusting for inflation, a falloff in the gross gaming revenue for bricks and mortar, while the online gaming is expanding at about double-digit rates," explained Max Slusher, director of business development for the ACEA, during the briefing. "Additionally, when you talk about sports wagering, it’s without question that the predictions in future markets are starting to have an obvious impact. They’re down almost double-digit in real terms, and that is something the State of New Jersey is going to have to deal with."
The implications of this evolving market are profound. The ACEA has projected that the opening of new casinos in proximity to Atlantic City could lead to significant job losses, not just within the direct casino-hotel sector but also across a multitude of ancillary industries that rely on the vitality of the gaming economy. The urgency of these projections has galvanized local stakeholders to advocate for strategies aimed at protecting Atlantic City’s economic future.
The Looming Shadow: New York and North Jersey Casinos
The immediate catalyst for this heightened concern is the rapid expansion of the gaming industry in neighboring New York. The opening of a new casino in New York City, with further developments on the horizon, directly siphons potential revenue and customer bases away from Atlantic City. This geographical proximity, combined with the allure of new, potentially state-of-the-art facilities, presents a formidable challenge.
Adding another layer of complexity is the ongoing debate surrounding casino development in North Jersey, particularly in the Meadowlands region. Proponents argue that such development would capture a significant portion of the lucrative Northern New Jersey market, which currently travels to Atlantic City or other regional casinos. However, for Atlantic City, this represents a direct threat of cannibalizing its existing customer base and workforce.
A comprehensive assessment by the ACEA, focusing on "casino-hotel employment exposure," paints a sobering picture. As of April 2026, Atlantic County directly employed 21,172 individuals in casino-hotel roles. However, under a worst-case scenario, the ACEA estimates that as many as 11,053 jobs could be at risk by 2035 due to increased competition. Even a more moderate outcome projects approximately 7,048 jobs being affected. These figures are not confined to direct casino employment; they encompass a broader spectrum of regional workers whose livelihoods are intertwined with the success of the gaming industry.
The Ripple Effect: Beyond the Casino Floor
The impact of a diminished casino industry in Atlantic City extends far beyond the immediate workforce. The ACEA’s analysis highlights several key sectors that are vulnerable to a decline in casino business:
- Hospitality and Food Services: A decrease in casino patrons would inevitably lead to reduced demand for hotel rooms, restaurants, bars, and entertainment venues. This translates to fewer jobs in these crucial service sectors.
- Retail: Casino visitors are significant consumers of retail goods. A downturn in tourism and gaming revenue would directly impact retail sales and employment.
- Transportation: Taxis, ride-sharing services, and public transportation all rely on the flow of people to and from casinos. Reduced gaming activity would curtail demand for these services.
- Entertainment and Attractions: Beyond the casinos themselves, Atlantic City boasts a range of entertainment options, from shows to attractions, many of which are patronized by casino-goers.
- Local Supply Chains: Businesses that supply goods and services to casinos, hotels, and restaurants would also face reduced demand, creating a cascading economic effect.
Slusher emphasized that the threat is not solely confined to Atlantic City. "These are also jobs of those industries and peoples whose livelihoods are dependent on the casino industry," he stated. "If North Jersey casinos are approved, then we have a possibility of up to 8,000 of these jobs being exposed in Atlantic County. This would go up to 11,000 if you’re talking about all of southern New Jersey. Once again, that’s just not casino jobs."
The Economic Divide: Wealth Disparities and Market Capture
A particularly poignant concern raised during the briefing centers on the potential economic redistribution that could occur if casinos are established in North Jersey. Speakers pointed out a stark contrast in median household incomes between Atlantic County and the proposed development areas in North Jersey.
"One of the things that we’re very concerned about as locals is that we have a very low median household income, and yet the two areas that are trying to grab onto the casino gaming, have very high household incomes, so they’ve got two of the highest in state, and we have one of the lowest in the state," Slusher articulated.
This sentiment was echoed by Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson, who delivered a passionate plea for the preservation of Atlantic City’s gaming exclusivity. Levinson highlighted the dire socioeconomic conditions in Atlantic County, stating, "I have 35,000 people below the poverty level here in Atlantic County. We’ve been surpassed by Salem County. We’re 20 of 21 counties with only one other county poorer than us. Repeat, that’s 35,000 people below the poverty level. That’s only $33,000 a year." He argued that diverting gaming revenue and jobs to wealthier regions would exacerbate existing inequalities and further marginalize communities that rely heavily on the industry for economic sustenance.
Adding to the data supporting the shifting public opinion, an FDU Poll conducted in April revealed that 44% of New Jersey voters support the idea of casinos outside of Atlantic City, indicating a potential shift in public sentiment that could pave the way for legislative changes.
The Convention Market: A New Frontier of Vulnerability
Beyond direct gaming revenue and employment, the convention market represents another critical area of potential impact. Slusher indicated that this sector is poised to feel the effects of increased competition, regardless of whether North Jersey casinos materialize.
"Regardless of what happens with North Jersey casinos, online gaming is slowly nibbling away at us, New York casino gaming will also have a slight negative impact," Slusher explained. "So where are those employees going to go? We believe it’s going to be a convention market which is doing well, half that market is run by the convention, the overall convention industry and the other half is run by casino-hotels."
The ACEA’s data underscores the substantial economic contribution of the convention industry to Atlantic City. In 2025, the convention sector generated an estimated $393 million in direct economic impact and supported 4,000 jobs. A significant portion of this success is attributed to the synergy between the convention industry and the casino-hotel infrastructure. Losing conventions to competing destinations, particularly to newly developed facilities in North Jersey, could lead to a substantial decline in this vital economic driver, with knock-on effects for numerous supporting industries.
Charting a Path Forward: Reinvestment and Diversification
In response to these mounting challenges, the ACEA and the Greater Atlantic City Chamber are advocating for a multi-pronged strategy focused on reinvestment and diversification. Their recommendations include:
- Funding Convention-Led Hospitality Reinvestment: The proposal emphasizes the critical need to bolster the convention market as a key attraction, ensuring that Atlantic City remains competitive in securing large-scale events. This involves continued investment in convention facilities and related hospitality services.
- Diversifying Atlantic City’s Appeal: The goal is to reposition Atlantic City not solely as a gaming destination but as a multifaceted resort town offering a diverse range of attractions and experiences. This strategy aims to broaden its appeal to a wider audience, reducing reliance on gaming alone.
- Sustaining Investment in Casino Hotel Destinations: The report stresses the importance of maintaining incentives for casino hotels to continue investing in their facilities. These establishments have historically poured billions into upgrades and amenities, and continued investment is seen as crucial for maintaining their competitiveness and attractiveness to visitors.
"We want to make casino gaming one attraction among many already in Atlantic City," Slusher stated, outlining the strategic vision. "We must continue investment for fiscal casino hotel destinations. Our casino hotels have put billions of dollars into their facilities, and we’re saying we’ve got to keep that incentive so that they continue to do that."
The Political Landscape and Future Timelines
The potential for new casinos in North Jersey is not a foregone conclusion. Establishing such facilities would necessitate a new constitutional amendment, a process that requires legislative approval and a statewide voter referendum. The existing constitutional amendment, ratified in 1976, restricts casino gambling exclusively to Atlantic City.
A recent filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission by Ark Restaurants Corp., an investor in New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC, indicated that the New Jersey Legislature missed an August 3 deadline to advance a constitutional amendment that would permit casino gambling at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks. However, the filing suggests that a statewide referendum could potentially occur in November 2027, or during a subsequent general election.
Should voters approve such an amendment, the timeline for development could be relatively swift. New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC has indicated that a temporary casino could be operational within approximately one year of approval, followed by a permanent facility within approximately two years, contingent upon licensing and regulatory requirements.
The projected timeline for these potential developments is as follows:
- November 2027 (or later): Statewide referendum on constitutional amendment allowing casinos at racetracks.
- Approximately 1 year after approval: Opening of a temporary casino at Meadowlands or Monmouth Park.
- Approximately 2 years after approval: Opening of a permanent casino facility.
The coming years represent a period of significant uncertainty and potential transformation for Atlantic City’s gaming industry. The interplay of evolving market dynamics, expanding competition, and the outcome of potential legislative and voter decisions will ultimately determine the future trajectory of this iconic resort town. As leaders and stakeholders navigate these complex challenges, the focus remains on safeguarding economic stability and fostering a resilient future for Atlantic City.
