As Revenue Dwindles in AC Casinos, So Do Comps

by KYW's David Madden

Comps are down at Atlantic City’s 11 casinos, another sign of the faltering economy.

The number of free hotel rooms, meals, and show tickets handed out to so-called “rated” players is down about nine-percent for the first three months of this year, according to the Casino Control Commission.

That news doesn’t surprise analysts like Harvey Perkins with the Spectrum Gaming Group:

"The downfall in revenues in Atlantic City, which were particularly steep in January, February and the steepest in March, lends itself mathematically to a downturn also in complementaries."

Translation: less spent, less given away.

The economy, paired with competition from Eastern Pennsylvania and New York City, are to blame. And that’ll increase next month with a new slots parlor set to open in the Lehigh Valley.