Even the casual visitor can tell that Atlantic City has been in a bit of a decline. The city’s former glory has faded. Of course, a lot of this has to do with the economy in the United States. Since the recession began the American public has stopped traveling as often for as long, and spending less once the get where they’re going. This has a profound effect on the casino resort industry. Atlantic City has suffered a double whammy this summer when neighboring states, Pennsylvania and Delaware, decided to expand their gambling laws and allow casinos to host table games. This was compounded by the news the New York City, Atlantic City’s best feeder market, wants to add a slots parlor in Queens.

These are some of the major reasons why one of Atlantic City’s best casino resorts is posting another loss in revenues. The Borgata Casino and Resort has rereleased that their second quarter report will show revenues and profits declined. The Borgata’s net income was down almost $1 million from the previous year from $18.3 million in 2009 to $17.3 million in 2010. The Borgata’s revenue was down 2.4 percent in comparison with the same quarter of the previous year.

Boyd Gaming, which has a 50-50 joint partnership with MGM Resorts International for the Borgata Casino and Resort, decided to prerelease the quarterly report because they are trying to secure financing for Borgata related opportunities. MGM Resorts International is trying to sell their stake in the casino resort, and it is believed that Boyd Gaming wants to take over outright. Any financing deal would need approval from the gaming regulators in New Jersey. Boyd Gaming is also stressing that they do not believe that the second quarter of 2010 will be as important as the second half of the year. This should be the tell tale sign of how Atlantic City casinos will fare against the economy and the competition.

The American public has become very accustomed to not seeing their money. We make purchases using debit or credit cards, buy stuff online, transfer funds electronically, and receive direct deposits. Casinos picked up on this a long time ago and started phasing out the slot machines that required players to drop coins into slots. Casino goers may miss hearing all those coins hit the tray when they score the big jackpot, but they do not miss having to carry around the bucket that could be easily stolen. Now jackpots print out tickets that tell the player how much they have and can be read by other slot machines and casino cashiers.

Global Cash Access has developed a system that takes the cashless phase one step further. Global Cash Access is a provider of cash access solutions and data intelligence. They have devised a system that will allow casino patrons who use ATM’s to decide if they want cash or a ticket that can be used in the casino’s slot machines. They system is called QuickTicket. The QuickTicket system is designed to cut back on the hard cash flow for casinos cutting down on costs and provide peace of mind for casino patrons who don’t want to carry around cash.

The QuickTicket system got a vote of approval this month when the Nevada Gaming Control Board granted Global Cash Access the chance to test their system in Nevada casinos. Casino sites will be selected for a product field trial of QuickTicket. This is the first step towards brining the system into the Nevada casino market. “We are very pleased with the decision and look forward to QuikTicket’s beta-testing in Nevada,” said Global Cash Access President and Chief Executive officer, Scott Betts. His company is waiting for approval from VISA and MasterCard before releasing the beta testing of QuickTicket. Once tested and approved Global Cash Access will seek to put QuickTicket in casinos throughout Las Vegas and other casino jurisdictions.

For months sites like this one have been reporting on how popular the online casino and gambling community has become. The industry has grown from upstart internet sites to multi-million dollar businesses. Online casinos have gone from offering basic video slot machines to almost every game that can be found in a land based casino. Games have gone from low tech to high tech, and, in some cases, live dealers and casino action. Jackpots have gone from exciting to hundreds of thousands of dollars. Online casino companies themselves now have all the trimmings you would expect from a big time Wall Street corporation. If recent trends continue, the online casino and gambling industry will continue to grow.

A report from Global Business of Online Casinos says that the online casino and gambling industry could grow by billions of dollars in a matter of just a few years. By the end of the current year the online casino industry will be worth $4.7 billion when it comes in terms of gross gaming yield. In two years gross gaming yield will be up to $5.8 billion, and by 2014 all the way to $7.1 billion. Percentage rise from 2009 to 2014 that is a gross rise of 79 percent.

Not only are online casinos easier to access than their land based cousins, but they also take a fraction of the people to operate. Gambling online is becoming more socially acceptable, and countries around the world are starting to relax some of their laws when it comes to online gambling. All of these trends are predicted to continue. “Add to that the growth in social networking, mobile apps and micro-transactions and times that by the growing number of people globally with broadband connections and wireless access,” said Rachel Church Saunders of The Global Business of Online Casinos. She went on to echo what most experts, operators, and fans of online casinos are feeling by expressing her confidence that the future of online casinos looks very promising.

The Casino Regina has seen some recent labor problems. They have had their two biggest groups of work forces go on strike at the exact same time. The dealers and other casino positions were joined on the picket lines by food and beverage employees. This has cause a bit of a disruption in the casino. The Last Spike Restaurant had to be closed while the Whistle Sop Cafe was forced to operate with much of its menu missing. On the casino floor, slot machines players were relegated to getting up off the machine and fetching their own drinks. It is plain to see why this is such a huge problem. Either the visitors are taken away from the gambling to get a drink, or they just don’t drink.

Fortunately the food and beverage workers at the Casino Regina will be returning to work. The Retail, Wholesale, and Department Store Union, which represents the food and beverage staff at the casino reached an agreement with the owner of the casino, the Crown-owned Saskatchewan Gaming Corporation. The main issue of pay raises was completed. The agreement was to increase pay 5.5. percent over the next three years. This goes along with a general increase of 0.25 percent for years one and two.

Sadly, the casino workers are getting close to completing their eighth week of the strike. There has been very little communication between the workers union, Public Service Alliance of Canada, and casino management. “There isn’t a person in the world who wants to be on the picket line, but our members are really solid,” said Robin Benson of the PSAC. Benson continued, “Talks are still ongoing so that’s a good thing.” PSAC has been without a contract for a little over a year (May 2009). The core issues are pay rates, family leave and night shift premiums. There does not seem to be an end in sight, but at least now casino patrons will be able to enjoy a drink while they are at the slots.

Countries around the world are starting to develop self exclusion lists for their casinos and gambling venues. The idea behind it is, those who realize they have a gambling problem can put themselves on the list. Once on the list they are supposed to be barred from gambling in a casino. They are basically giving the right to the casino to kick them out if identified. The problem with the self exclusions list is, it is very hard to enforce. Casinos are asked to, basically, keep an eye on every individual. Many gamblers who place themselves on the list have made it into the casino and gambled. Sometimes the win, sometimes they loose.

Usually it’s the losers who turn to the casino and sue claiming they should never have been allowed to enter, but now there is a winner who is suing the British Colombia Lottery Corporation over his winnings. Mike Lee placed himself on the exclusion list but still managed to enter casinos like the Cowichan. During one trip he scored a $40,000 jackpot. However, when he went to cash in his winnings he was told that he could not collect and nothing could be done about it. Now he is taking his case to court.

Lee’s lawyer says that he was allowed to enter the casino, win small jackpots. “He provided his ID, he was paid, and he was never asked to leave,” stated Lee’s lawyer. “To my client, that was a representation that it was permitted for him to play.” Lee and his lawyer claim that it was okay when the pots were small or he was losing, but when it came to the big one their was no deal. The casino is claiming that according to the law they don’t have to pay a member of the self exclusion list any winnings and are not responsible for losses. Lee claims that law was signed after he joined the program.

The Golden Tavern Group is a division of Las Vegas based Golden Gambling. They operate 46 taverns and bars throughout the state of Nevada making them the largest operator of such establishments in the state. Some of their popular brands include PT’s Place, PT’s Gold, PT’s Pub, Sierra Gold, Sierra Junction, Sparky’s and Gold Bar. Like the casinos around Las Vegas and Nevada the Golden Tavern Group has laid out a series of promotions for the month of August that should bring an exciting close to the summer. These promotions vary from drink specials to give-a-ways, to gambling tournaments.

The Golden Tavern Group offers its loyal customers the Bites and Beer Club. This club allows guests specials towards food and drinks. It also gives members points toward rewards that can be used in the group of taverns. Like almost all bars Sierra Gold and PT’s taverns have a happy hour. The happy hour is daily from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m., and consists of half off all drinks and pizzas for all members of the Beer and Bites Club. Continuing with food and drink specials. PT’s taverns and Sierra Gold each have a 50 cent Wing Mondays, and PT’s offers other drink specials and some food specials that are available 24 hours for gamblers who get munchy at any time.

With NFL football season rapidly approaching the Golden Tavern Group is offering a night of fun for fantasy football fans. Those who wish to hold their draft in the bars will receive 50 percent of the entire bill and a free draft kit. Continuing with football the group wants to send three winners that chance for a NFL Getaway. Purchase a Coors Light much or a Blue Moon pint and be entered into a drawing that will send the winners to an NFL game, hotel stay and a $500 gift card. Don’t forget about the gambling. The group is offering a poker video tournament that will pit tavern against tavern with a prize pool of $30,000. First place will take home $10,000 in cash.

Governor Christie wants to create a new tourism district that would control the casinos and casino resorts in Atlantic City. He also wants new casino regulations and a redirecting of Casino Reinvestment Development Funds. This means passing it through the state’s Assembly, and that means he’ll need help from both sides of the aisle. Mr. Levinson continued, “The governor made it clear he wants to work with the Legislature.” However it has been noted by many experts and followers of the New Jersey government that he likes to use executive orders. “Having watched the way this governor operates, and his broad use of executive power, I would then expect a very assertive attempt to enact these plans in some form,” said Montclair State University professor of political Science, Brigid Harrison.

One of the most controversial ideas is the selling or closing of state run race tracks. While southern New Jersey may have the casinos, central and northern New Jersey has the horse racing industry. Governor Christie has to convince lawmakers from these regions that this will help the state as a whole. Of course he is getting some strong opposition. “This is an incomplete, shortsighted plan created in a vacuum,” said several lawmakers in a statement.

Those opposing this area of the new plan are wondering if taking the money away from the horse racing industry and putting it all into the casino and Atlantic City tourism industry is wise. They point to a semi-failed shopping and entertainment complex named Xanadu. The Governor has said he would be interested in saving the shopping complex. Lawmakers concerned about the racing industry could use this as leverage which would either kill Xanadu or sustain the race tracks that are on the chopping block.

Revitalizing Atlantic City and New Jersey’s gaming industry seems like a great idea. The Governor’s plans are bold and could help. What reamains to be seen is if lawmakers can come to an agreement that would benefit the entire state.

New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, spoke in front of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk Hall recently and pledged his support to revitalize New Jersey’s casino industry and Atlantic City as a whole. He talked about finding ways to pump money into the fading city and allowing her to grow and reclaim her former glory. He talked about building a new coalition that would allow for a public/private investment scheme that would help the city grow. He talked about enticing investors back to southern New Jersey so half finished projects like the Revel Casino and Resort would never happen again. He talked about lowering crime. For the most part, his speech was met with praise. There were some detractors, but there needs to be if all sides are going to get together and pass effective legislation.

The question is: Now that the speech has been made, what happens next? It is possible that Governor Christie could invoke changes through executive orders, but this could only pertain to some of the ideas he has. The rest would require approval of New Jersey’s State Assembly. A spokesperson from the Governor’s office sated, “We foresee using a mix of executive and legislative action.” It may not be easy to get approval from enough members of both houses, even among party lines for new casino laws. As one of the ideas is to close race tracks in the northern part of the state, it may come down to regional politics.

Democrats in the legislature began planning a summit to discuss the future of the New Jersey casino and gambling industry. Lawmakers who were interested in seeing how the governor’s plan could be molded into something more palatable for the entire state met at the Governor’s mansion and talked. “We were as a group ready to express our support for his plan, and he wants to answer our questions as the process goes forward,” said Atlantic County Executive, Dennis Levinson. He mentioned that the Governor listened more than he talked, absorbing the ideas brought before him.

Reactions to the Governor’s were mixed, of course. On the surface those who work and live in Atlantic City casinos and other tourist venues seemed happy with the tone. Most notably the idea of cleaning up the crime that can be easily associated with the city. Surprisingly, Atlantic City Mayor, Lorenzo Langford, showed his support for the plan after the history of Atlantic City government was attacked. “What I heard was a theme of collaboration, participation, and cooperation,” he stated. There were several members of both political parties joining Governor Christie on the stage that was set up in front of Atlantic City’s Convention Center and Boardwalk Hall to show their support.

However, the Governor’s plan to revitalize the casino resort town was met with some skepticism, chiefly from State Senate President, Steve Sweeney, a Democrat. He felt that the Governor’s plan “…failed to offer proposals that could actually grow the industry, attract new investment and restore the state’s reputation as the East Coast’s preeminent gaming destination.” He thought the anyone who spent time on the Boardwalk would reach the same conclusion it took a commission six months to reach behind closed doors. He went on to say that, in order to improve Atlantic City and revitalize the casino resort industry would take more than a fresh coat of paint. He would like to see initiatives that make it attractive for investors to bring in new products and money. He wants to see measures that would create jobs and be welcoming to businesses.

Sweeney wants to see a gaming summit set up. Democrats in the state assembly are already planning such a summit and Sweeney wanted it known. In fact, in light of the Governor’s speech, the summit is “all the more vital and pressing.” Sweeney said that the summit would use the Governor’s plan as a basis to go by, but wanted to deal with more detailed economic issues. He felt the plan only went half way.

In a speech given by New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, he said, “Atlantic City is dying.” There is some truth in that statement. Atlantic City has seen a decline over the past decade or so. Of course, the economy has hit Atlantic City hard, but the paint was starting to fade before that. Casino resorts were starting to show their age, the famed Boardwalk was loosing its luster, crime was up, and then Atlantic City had to deal with something new, competition from neighboring states. The Governor’s office is ready to release a plan that would see the state take control of Atlantic City tourism and reshape New Jersey’s gaming, sports and entertainment industries.

During the speech the crowd broke into applause when the Governor stated that he was going to make Atlantic City “safe and clean.” He was not as specific as to how, but set a deadline of July 1, 2011 to enact a plan to do so. He also wants to help Atlantic City casinos by not allowing slot machines in the state’s racetracks. He also wants a plan that would bring the investors back to Atlantic City. Currently, investors are scared of new casino projects for the town as is evident by the unfinished Revel Casino and Resort.

Governor Christie then attacked the local government of Atlantic City. “Atlantic City has had a historically corrupt, ineffective, inefficient government.” He commented that leaders of the town have always just coasted along on “the gaming wave.” Now that there is competition in neighboring states, that it was time to “create a new wave.”

Governor Christie kept saying that he wanted to partner with Atlantic City to bring back its former glory. “We are here to partner in success. We are not here to subsidize failure.” This extended to the racing industry which he believes should not be subsidized by the state. He wants a new Atlantic City Tourism District that would operate a “Private-public partnership.” This new body would take over for the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority, and receive funds from casino operators and future investors.