Casino revenue rose in 2017 for 2nd year

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. » In 2017, it was a very good year — for Atlantic City’s casinos.

They saw their gambling revenue increase for the second year in a row after a dismal decade in which five of the city’s 12 casinos shut down, eliminating 11,000 jobs.

Figures released Friday by the state Division of Gaming Enforcement show the seven casinos won $2.66 billion in 2017, an increase of 2.2 percent over 2016.

The city’s top casino, the Borgata, had its best year ever, and Atlantic City has a new No. 2 casino: the Tropicana, which survived a near-death experience a decade ago and has been steadily growing and reinvesting in itself since then.

“Every single casino won more, and every internet operation reported increased win last year,” said James Plousis, the new chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. “Total internet win had its fourth straight year of double-digit increases. It shows an industry that is getting stronger and healthier and well-positioned for the future.”

Christopher Glaum, deputy chief of financial investigations for the gaming enforcement division, noted that 2017 was the first year since 2006 that there was a year-over-year increase in gambling revenue at brick-and-mortar casinos, where the numbers were up 0.3 percent.

Atlantic City’s remaining casinos have regained their balance in a slimmeddown market.