Atlantic City to close two casinos, lose 5,000 jobs over three days
The Showboat Casino Hotel is closing Sunday, followed by the two-day closure of Revel on Monday and Tuesday. The Trump Plaza will also be closing its doors on Sept. 16.
Denise Miller (facing camera) and Gloria Panameno, who worked at the Showboat Casino Hotel for 24 years and 27 years, respectively, hug as they leave the closing casino on Sunday.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A time few could imagine during the glory days of casino gambling has arrived in Atlantic City, where two casinos and more than 5,000 jobs will be lost this weekend.
The Showboat is closing Sunday, followed by Revel’s two-day closure Monday and Tuesday.
Trump Plaza is next, closing Sept. 16. To the thousands of workers who will be left behind, it still seems unreal.
The Showboat Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., closed its doors on Sunday.
WAYNE PARRY/AP
The Showboat Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., closed its doors on Sunday.
Showboat bartender Chris Ireland says casino workers never thought this could happen.
Atlantic City began the year with 12 casinos, but before summer’s end, it will have eight.
A large crowd gathers on The Boardwalk in Atlantic City, N.J., at the entrance of the closing Showboat Casino Hotel on Sunday.
MEL EVANS/AP
A large crowd gathers on The Boardwalk in Atlantic City, N.J., at the entrance of the closing Showboat Casino Hotel on Sunday.
The contraction is due to ever-increasing competition in neighboring states.
Many analysts and casino executives say Atlantic City will do better with fewer casinos. Some have already improved their financial position since the Atlantic Club closed in January.
Larry Litmanen13 hours ago
Here's why AC failed, outside of the casino you are in the hood. On the boardwalk you have these questionable people offering you rides on rickshawls, almost demanding you ride one.
Outside of the boardwalk it gets even worse, it's like Brownsville or East New York, a straight up hood.
Also because casino employees are unionized you have a lot of older people who are just not that appealing to the eye. In the end, there's more stuff to do in a place like Niagara Falls, i am not even talking about Vegas here.
Just think about it, NYC and it's larger suburbs have around 20 Million people, all within 3-4 hours of AC and it still failed. That's how bad it is.
LikeReplyShare5 replies4
Poetic Justice12 hours ago
Got nothing to do with the aesthetics you mention. Atlantic City always had those run down areas. I remember going there before the casinos when we used to go on the boardwalk and get out saltwater taffee. Then when the casinos came the bus drops you and you go right inside. No one has time for venturing out to deal with questionable characters unless you are restless and you decide to stay in the hotel as a vacation. The real problem is they are losing revenue to states like NY where they build casinos like the racetrack casino out in Aqueduct. CT got Foxwoods. It's like technology things change and some become obsolete.
LikeReplyShare1 reply1
Terry washere11 hours ago
Do you really think people enjoy going to a gh etto to go gambling?
LikeReplyShare0
DANIEL P HANOVER11 hours ago
It's TOO far away. Casinos closer to NYC would have stood a better chance.
LikeReplyShare1 reply0
Terrence WIlliams9 hours ago
Yea because that's the key to Vegas! New York isn't the center of the universe. The casino's were built without any ties to the community. They did not do anything for AC. No programs, no growth, nothing. The only thing they benefited were the owners. Atlantic City's population even declined over a 10 year period. Vegas is still growing a rapid rate. The reason AC is failing is it's selfish ideologies. Not it's proximity to New York....SMH
LikeReplyShare0
Mitch Dubo39 minutes ago
It's mainly because of increased competition. You can gamble almost anywhere now.
If what you are saying was true, explain how AC was doing so well when the surrounding area was worse. It's a lot better looking now.
LikeReplyShare0
Wiggl Wagon5 hours ago
They give the factories to China and Mexico then expect people on unemployment and welfare to patronize the casinos.
LikeReplyShare1 reply3
Sucker MC1 hour ago
Exactly! And then the Chinese still come here to take jobs and build. Oh well. Those are you guys friends.
LikeReplyShare0
Keith White3 hours ago
I listen to some stupid points of view but to blame the financial collapse on being unionized is ridiculous . Great call Larry bottom line is people are driving to Pa Md De to gamble for a better enviornment and better odds .
LikeReplyShare1
kevin johnson5 hours ago
All the posters are correct. AC is a dump and the casino owners simply lined their pockets. They shot the golden goose with their greed. Vegas was an empty desert before the casino's arrived and now look at the place. The Vegas casino owners, city and state had a vision and they implemented it. Now it's a thriving sprawling city that still attracts millions of visitors each year. All AC does is bus in seniors for the day and give them coupons. No-one dares to venture off the boardwalk or out of the casino. It's ghettoville.
LikeReplyShare1
Sucker MC13 hours ago
They killed the economy and the job markets. They so greedy that when people stop coming and the big wigs aren't getting the money they are used to, they close up shop. The bureaucrats are no better, they raise the taxes and rents where the Casinos can't afford to stay in business. These people are so money hungry; they don't care about anyone but themselves. They know who they are.
LikeReplyShare4 replies1
Poetic Justice12 hours ago
States like New York opened up casinos. CT already got Foxwoods. People stopped traveling that far because it takes a few hours to get out to Atlantic City from the city. They were losing revenue and just could not compete anymore.
LikeReplyShare2 replies0
DANIEL P HANOVER11 hours ago
I'm from Patchoue. I went to an Atlantic City casino once by bus. You know how sometimes you have something in your mind as a fact, because you just assume it ? Well, for some reason I really can't explain, I thought Atlantic City was just outside the Holland Tunnel in New Jersey, i.e. not that far away. The bus ride to and from Atlantic City from Suffolk County was TOO long a trip ! I never went back because it was so far away. So I agree with you that it is simply too long a trip for many people, such as myself, to make.
LikeReplyShare1 reply0
Terrence WIlliams9 hours ago
Yea OK, Yet another person who thinks the west coast starts on the other side of the Hudson River. Who really thought AC is in Hudson County? It's not the distance it's the cost. It's more expensive to go to AC then to stay in TImes Square for the weekend
LikeShare0
Terrence WIlliams9 hours ago
Sucker MC you hit it on the head. The casinos try to squeeze every buck out of you. Even in Vegas you can get a nice hotel for cheap. For some reason in AC they doidn't realize that a cheaper experience meant more people coming down and spending more money. Geez the hotel prices alone kept 70% of the visitors away
LikeReplyShare1
dont1 hour ago
They spent/invested so much money on these Casino's especially the REVEL and in all these years truly never invested in making the area any better around the Boardwalk.Look you go to AC enjoy and relax but in every casino there is an element of people that make you feel very
uncomfortable 24/7 . I use to be a regular at the Trop & Bally's not anymore now I go to the Bogota and even there it is getting uncomfortable at the pool and the tables. Putting outlet stores off the Boardwalk is no help must clean up the surrounding area which will never happen.
