Ocean Casino Resort, Bally’s, Caesars Casino, and Resorts AC all based in Atlantic City are working on major plans in a bid to boost sales in the coming years. After a hard time trying to stay open during and even after the pandemic, these casino operators have invested heavily to ensure that the brick and mortar casino remains relevant.
Some of the projects that can be seen going in these casinos include the addition of new games to their databases, renovation of hotel rooms and inclusion of in-house entertainment options. All these plans are expected to be complete by the end of 2022. By then, the casino industry as a whole will have undergone close to two years of relatively low productivity.
While there is still some level of uncertainly around Covid-19, the AC casino operators are eager to change the narrative they have lived through in the recent past. Each of these casinos will have a new attraction that is supposed to entice customers to come out of their homes to gamble or just enjoy the mood in the revamped establishment. The fact that these casinos have accommodation facilities is an added advantage; visitors coming from out of town can explore the new amenities as part of their stay.
The greatest project for Resorts Atlantic City Hotel and Casino will be the renovation of the rooftop pool that has been scheduled to begin in February. The plan is to have a brand new retractable roof which will mean that the pool can be used all year round.
The casino has also set aside a sum of $5m which will be used for the purchase of new slot machines and table games to supplement what is already there. In line with this new gaming area is the idea of upgrading the high stakes slot machine area and creating a new VIP room with Asian interior décor.
In the meantime, Ocean Casino Resort is planning to embark on a $75m project that will be started around spring or summer. As part of the entire construction work that will take place during this time, the casino aims to complete the unfinished hotel floors which have stalled since 2012 when the casino was first opened as Revel.
For the management of Caesars Entertainment, this period of renovation is an opportunity to give the casino a facelift. Many generations of bettors have been to this establishment and it is about time people felt that they were in a new venue.
For Caesars Casino, the $400m they plan to invest will be used in construction of a new theatre. With the launch date for this already fixed into the first quarter of 2023, it is going to be a busy time as the vision comes to life. Caesars also plans to build a new restaurant within the gambling premises that will cater to all cuisines.
In collaboration with Nobu Hospitality, the veteran casino brand will be remodeling different parts of the accommodation wing. $400m is without a doubt a large sum of money but the management of Caesars plans to use it over a period of three years on all three properties scattered around the New Jersey gambling hub.
For Bally’s, the upcoming remodeling phase will be an opportunity for the betting provider to launch accommodation facilities. The plan is to have 75 renovated hotel rooms, a new-look lobby and bar plus an indoor facility where guests will hang around for various forms of entertainment.
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State projects
While the casino owners are working on enhancing the player experience for those who visit their premises, the state government of New Jersey is also at work to complement their efforts. This definitely means that most parts of AC will be a buzz of activity for the next twelve months but for a good cause.
The state government has asset aside $100m for developing a water park and setting up a major supermarket in the city. Clearly, the entire city is singing the same song as far as development is concerned. Education sector investors have also taken this opportunity to upgrade their facility to world class status – Stockton University has announced plans to have a new student’s hall finished by the end of 2022.
As part of the city’s efforts to create a new image that is geared at supporting the gaming industry, Atlantic City is looking at opportunities to invest in wind energy. This not only means cheaper and readily available electricity but also a host of opportunities for those who will work or invest in the sector.
The challenge ahead
Apart from the ongoing pandemic, casinos in the Atlantic City area are still dealing with plenty of challenges. Revenues collected from in-person gaming from most of the major casino operators are still way below what was realized before the onset of Covid-19. The major consolation for stakeholders now is that they will bear a lessened tax burden after the tax bill passed in December.
The pandemic worked well to promote the growth of iGaming and sports betting sectors of the gambling industry. Revenue from these two earners definitely played a big role in keeping the betting operators afloat in what would have otherwise been the season when most of them go out of business.
The launch of the gambling sector in neighboring New York is not to be taken lightly although it is still too early to establish how much it will impact the casino industry gains made in NJ. Reports from certain gambling news reviews indicate that the Garden State performance could suffer a drop of 20% as a direct effect of the newly established New York market.
It is obvious that New Yorkers depended on NJ for most of their online gambling needs, but what is known for sure is that gamblers went over the border to enjoy the thrill of gambling in a brick and mortar casino.
Final Thoughts
There is so much for the gamblers of New Jersey to look forward to now that every major AC casino brand has renovation work going on in their premises. With a new gambling hub open next door, only time will tell how the new attractions keep the business going.
