New York competition, smoking, internet betting concerns roil US northeast's gambling market
Casinos in the northeastern U.S. are dealing with numerous challenges as they brace for the arrival of new competitors in New York City
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Casinos in the northeastern U.S. are dealing with numerous challenges as they brace for the arrival of new competitors in New York City.
A potential smoking ban in Atlantic City, an ongoing debate over whether internet gambling hurts or helps the bottom line of physical casinos, and the loss of business to illegal online operations were among the challenges identified Wednesday during a major casino conference in Atlantic City.
Panelists at the East Coast Gaming Congress at the Hard Rock casino discussed turmoil in the industry, particularly as it prepares for the influx of three downstate New York casinos widely expected to redefine the regional gambling market.
New York is in the process of choosing casino sites and preparing to respond to hundreds of questions from potential casino operators before it moves closer to awarding licenses.
Mark Giannantonio, president of Atlantic City's Resorts casino and of the Casino Association of New Jersey, said his city has “a two-year window” to prepare itself for the new competition from its northern neighbor.
“We see New York gaming in general clearly as a threat,” he said, expecting stronger competition for customers from the region and from other countries who will choose to visit and gamble in New York.
He also said New York casinos will affect competitors in eastern Pennsylvania and Connecticut.
Giannantonio said Atlantic City needs to improve its cleanliness, infrastructure and public safety in order to meet the challenge of new competition.
“Casinos can only do so much,” he said. “We provide the jobs, the capital.
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