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Atlantic City Information

Concert opposed by residents of the Ocean Club Condominiums to take place at a different location - As reported by , a Caribbean music festival, BRT Weekend (short for Beach Road Trip), initially scheduled at the former Chelsea Beach Bar, located across the Boardwalk from Ocean Club Condominiums, will now take place on the Missouri Avenue beach. The event will take place July 11-13 with concerts planned from 5 to 10 p.m., followed by after parties until 3 a.m. It is expected to draw more than 20,000 people to the resort.

Long-time president of Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, Michael Chait, resigns - According to a May 16 and coverage by , after seven years of service, Michael Chait has resigned his position as president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce. Jane Asselta, who recently served as New Jersey State Director for USDA Rural Development, has been hired as the chamber's new Leadership Consultant while a comprehensive search for a new President begins. Michael Chait has begun a new role as Public Information Officer for the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. 

Statistics show Atlantic City crime rate is down - As reported by , despite a trend of decreased crime in the resort, "perception of the city remains mixed among residents and visitors." Crimes against persons, which include murder, assault and sex offenses, were down 22.28%, while property crime such as robbery, burglary and thefts were down 4.3% and society crimes like drug offenses, weapons offenses and prostitution were down 4.48%. Atlantic City Police Chief James Sarkos told The Press that he feels confident that crime will continue to drop. 

New Jersey Gaming News

Amendment authorizing New Jersey Legislature to establish casino gaming at Monmouth Park Racetrack and Meadowlands Racetrack introduced - As recorded by the state legislature and reported by , New Jersey legislators have introduced a proposed constitutional amendment () that would see casinos established at Monmouth Park Racetrack and Meadowlands Racetrack. 

Atlantic City casinos announce Summer 2025 offerings, capital improvements - According to a May 22 from the Casino Association of New Jersey and reporting by and , Atlantic City's nine casino operators have made significant investments ahead of the Summer 2025 tourism season. Included in this list are a series of new gaming, dining and bar experiences recently unveiled at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, a new dining venue and reimagined nightclub opening at Hard Rock Atlantic City and $25 million in guest room renovations at Ocean Casino Resort. 

Caesars Entertainment launches first proprietary online casino game - As announced in a and reported by , on May 13, Caesars Palace Online Casino in New Jersey launched the company's first proprietary online casino game, Caesars Palace Signature Multihand Blackjack Surrender. The game was developed in New Jersey by the company’s recently established in-house games studio, Empire Creative.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City owner Tilman Fertitta to serve as U.S. ambassador to Italy, ex-wife approved to run company as interim - As reported by , Tilman Fertitta, owner of Golden Nugget casino in Atlantic City, has resigned (as of April 29) from his role as director and president of Fertitta Entertainment LLC to serve as the U.S. ambassador to Italy. In his absence, his ex-wife Paige Fertitta has been approved by the New Jersey Casino Control Commission and Nevada gambling regulators to take his place in an interim capacity. Further reporting by .

Legislators advance bill requiring study of language used in gaming advertisements and restricts advertisements and promotions in certain locations - As recorded by the New Jersey Legislature, a bill (/) has advanced through the house and referred, via the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee, to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee as of May 29. As reported by , legislators want to study the effect of certain words or phrases in gambling advertisements on bettors and are considering banning gambling ads from being placed in or near schools or colleges. 

New Jersey gaming regulators commit to Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with counterparts in United Arab Emirates - As reported by the , facilitated the signing of a MOU by Gov. Phil Murphy between the New Jersey Department of Law and Public Safety, Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), and General Commercial Gaming Regulatory Authority (GCGRA). The MOU creates a partnership between each region’s gaming regulators to innovate land- and internet-based gaming with a focus on cybersecurity and consumer protections.

Ocean Casino Resort donates $950,000 to Inlet Community Development Corp. - As reported by , received a $950,000 donation from Ocean Casino Resort on April 29 for its neighborhood revitalization efforts. The Inlet CDC is a 501c(3) nonprofit that was established in 2023. Its goal is to preserve the neighborhood’s coastal vibe while bringing in new homes, businesses and residents.

State moves toward ban of sweepstakes casinos, allege they amount to unregulated, untaxed illegal gambling - As recorded by the New Jersey Legislature and reported by New Jersey legislators have advanced a bill (/) that would prohibit sweepstakes-style wagering, establish new penalties for unlawful gambling operations and practices, and directs the Division of Consumer Affairs and Division of Gaming Enforcement to enforce penalties. As of May 29, the bill had been referred to the Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee.

National Gaming News

Caesars Foundation donates $200,000 to The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG) - As announced in a May 13 from The International Center for Responsible Gaming (ICRG), Caesars Foundation has donated $200,000 to the center to support cutting-edge research and education programs aimed at reducing gambling-related harm and enhancing responsible play initiatives across the globe. Additional reporting from . 

Illinois increases sports betting tax rate for second time in a year, introduces bill that would allow struggling casinos to relocate - As reported by  and , the Illinois state budget includes its second sports wagering tax increase in a year. Sports betting operators Draft Kings and Fan Duel are expected to feel the biggest impact from the new tax (see statement from ). The current proposed increase adds a levy of 25 cents per wager on an operator’s first 20 million booked bets with that rate doubling to 50 cents per bet for each wager placed after that initial 20 million. Also as reported by , Illinois legislators are currently considering a bill () that would require the Illinois Gaming Board (IGB) to conduct a survey to identify the operational successes and failures of each casino license and determine possible locations where struggling licensees might relocate. The statute would allow up to three casinos to move to a new area.

Pennsylvania carries out illegal gambling raids, seize over 400 unregulated slots in March - As reported by , officials report hundreds of illegal gambling machines have been seized in recent raids on illegal gaming operations in the state. Felony corrupt organizations charges have been filed against Buffalo Skills Games Inc., and J.J. Amusement Inc., for distributing the games. Both companies are owned by John F. Conley, who has prior federal illegal gambling convictions.

Social Gaming Companies form coalition, launch Social Gaming Leadership Alliance (SGLA), member VGW pulls business out of New York and other states - As announced in a May 20 , social gaming operators VGW, PLAYSTUDIOS, Yellow Social Interactive, ARB Interactive and B-Two Operations, along with major payments provider Nuvei have joined together to form an advocacy organization for the online social games industry. The aim of the is "to ensure key stakeholders better understand this growing industry, including free-to-play, casino-themed games that leverage sweepstakes promotions, which are enjoyed by millions of adults who love the creative, fun entertainment our partners provide." According to , the SGLA is distinct from the , which was formed last year by a different group of operators. VGW, a leader in the newly formed SGLA and one of the largest online sweepstakes casino operators, has announced plans to withdraw from New York operations as other online sweepstakes casinos have done the same. VGW has already withdrawn from other states including Connecticut, Delaware and Nevada (). 

Texas legislators pass bill extending state lottery for four more years - As reported by , after a $95 million jackpot was won by a European syndicate, the Texas State Lottery came under intense scrutiny and talks of its possible closure. A bill passed by the Texas legislature on May 25 would dissolve the Texas Lottery Commission, and allow the Texas Lottery to continue operating for four more years under the oversight of the Texas Commission on Licensing and Regulations. At the end of four years, the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission will decide the Lottery's ultimate fate.

Washington, D.C. mayor includes expansion of casino gaming in FY26 budget - As reported by and the , the proposed . includes provisions that would expand gambling in the district to include blackjack and poker table games. The Poker and Blackjack Gaming Authorization Act would legalize live dealer card games at select Class A sports betting locations, such as Nationals Park, Capital One Arena and Audi Field, expanding entertainment options at facilities that already host sportsbooks.

Wynn Resorts announces it will no longer pursue New York casino site, mayor calls on regulators to award licenses to existing slots-only venues - As reported by , citing a cumbersome rezoning process and long-running objections, representatives of Wynn Resorts announced that the company will no longer pursue plans for a casino hotel on Manhattan’s West Side. In the wake of Wynn's departure, Yonkers Mayor Mike Spanno has called on state regulators to award licenses to slots-only venues in his city and in Queens, and dole out the third downstate permit at a later date (). Such a decision would favor MGM Resorts International’s Empire City Casino in Yonkers and Genting’s Resorts World New York in Queens. Further reporting from , , , regarding prospects for future Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Metropolitan Park, Resorts World New York City and Caesars Time Square projects

Hospitality & Tourism News

Flagship Development Corp. files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy amid ongoing litigation - As reported by , Flagship Development Corp., operator of Flagship Resort on Maine Avenue in Atlantic City, the Atlantic Palace at 1507 Boardwalk in Atlantic City and La Sammana Resort on West Brigantine Avenue in Brigantine has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. This as the company continues to face allegations that it engaged in deceptive sales practices that violated the state’s Real Estate Timeshare and Consumer Fraud acts. Bids for the sale of the company are being accepted through July 14, with an auction planned for July 16 and a sale hearing to follow on July 18. Additional coverage from the and .

Le Tour de Downbeach returns for 16th year - As reported by and , cyclists gathered on June 1 for the annual 12-mile bike ride that raises money for St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital. The bike route travels through Atlantic City along the historic Boardwalk and loops through Ventnor, Margate and Longport.

Newark Liberty International Airport struggles with major delays, Federal Aviation Administration imposes flight limits - As reported by , and , one of the nation's busiest airports, Newark Liberty International Airport, has suffered major delays, "a chaotic series of equipment outages, runway construction and staffing issues and a chaotic series of equipment outages, runway construction and staffing issues." While issues persist, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has imposed flight limits of 28 arrivals and 28 departures an hour. As reported by , Atlantic County Executive Dennis Levinson has called for the expanded use of Atlantic City International Airport to "improve air traffic safety along the East Coast." As of June 2, pending the reopening of a runway that had been under construction, FAA officials are expected to raise flight limits to 34 arrivals and 34 departures per hour, despite the ongoing shortage of air traffic controllers.

New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism releases 2024 impact report that includes record tourism spending - The New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism has released the report prepared by Tourism Economics. According to the report, 123.7 million people visited New Jersey in 2024, and their spending exceeded $50 billion for the first time, settling at $50.6 billion. Year over year Atlantic County saw a 1.8% increase in visitation to nearly 24 million visitors in 2024 — accounting for 20% of visitation to the state. Further reporting by  and .

New Jersey Division of Travel & Tourism unveils The Jersey Gardens Trail mobile app and the Gardens of The Garden State landing page - As reported by , New Jersey tourism has launched two new digital offerings on . The mobile app features 41 agritourism sites and the  landing page serves as a resource for planning trips to these destinations. 

New Jersey law establishes offense of inciting a public brawl - As recorded by the New Jersey Legislature, a bill (/) that establishes the offense of inciting public brawl and upgrades the penalty for disorderly conduct in certain circumstances has been passed and signed into law. As reported by the new offense of “inciting a public brawl through disorderly conduct” is intended to help crack down on the types of public disturbances that have rocked boardwalks in numerous Jersey Shore towns in recent years. The offense will be punishable by up to 18 months in prison, a fine of up to $10,000 or both.

No Tax on Tips Act passes in Senate - As recorded on and reported by , the No Tax on Tips Act, which would allow eligible tipped workers to deduct 100% of their cash, credit, debit and check tips up to $25,000 per tax year, was passed by the United States Senate by unanimous vote. The act will now be considered by the United States House of Representatives.

Ocean City Chamber of Commerce agrees to back plan for luxury hotel on Boardwalk - As reported by , the Ocean City Regional Chamber of Commerce, after meeting with the owner of the former Gillian’s Wonderland at Sixth Street and the Boardwalk, Eustace Mita, has agreed to support a plan to develop a $150 million luxury hotel at the site “contingent upon several key recommendations." Recommendations include a comprehensive traffic study, pursuit of community input and consensus, collaboration with local business to ensure inclusive economic benefit and donation of the iconic Giant Wheel to the city as a symbol of goodwill and legacy. Opponents of the plan say the proposal is far too large for the property and would change the nature of Ocean City.

Potential drop in Canadian tourism feared - As reported by and , tourism operators fear current geopolitical issues may impact volume of Canadian tourists visiting the New Jersey shore and Philadelphia region in Summer 2025. Tourism Economics has reported a potential 22-24% decline in Canadian tourists to the New Jersey Shore, and a potential 22% decline in Canadians visiting the Philadelphia region. This concern was also discussed at the 17th Annual Jersey Shorecast held on May 21.

Regional tourism leaders fear vital J-1 Visa Program could be endangered by proposed cuts to the FY26 federal budget - As reported by , the New Jersey Tourism Industry Association has alerted members that the currently proposed FY26 federal budget includes a 93% reduction in funding for the State Department’s international exchange programs, which include the J-1 Visa Program. The cut of $691 million brings the current budget of $741 million to only $50 million for all educational and cultural affairs programs and operations. The J-1 Visa Program annually brings approximately 9,000 students from around the world to New Jersey to work summer jobs. Losing access to this labor force could have significant impacts on seasonal tourism operators who rely on forigen students to fill a variety of positions. 

South Jersey Transportation Authority hosts 100 Days of Summer Party to kick off tourism season - As reported by , the South Jersey Transportation Authority celebrated the unofficial start to summer with a 100 Days of Summer Party at the Farley Service Plaza on the Atlantic City Expressway. Additional coverage from and the .