Maybe Atlantic City Will Expand

I was doing a little reading this morning and found something interesting at the bottom of another gloomy article about Atlantic City.  The beginning of the article touches on Pinnacle and MGM Mirage leaving Atlantic City.  Towards the end the article touches on a note that may have been forgotten that gives the market a glimmer of hope.

..at last spring’s East Coast gaming conference, N.J. State Sen. Jim Whelan (D., Atlantic) floated the idea of modifying state regulations requiring investors to build casinos with at least 500 hotel rooms.

I said glimmer…

Perhaps allowing smaller hotels will give investors reason to look at building in Atlantic City.  I’ve liked this idea for a while, as this was touched on last year.  I know that if the Chelsea Hotel had a small casino I would frequent it more than I do now.

This idea has been on the table for almost a year with no movement, so I don’t expect movement any time soon.  If a company really want to build, I can’t imagine the government saying no.  I have to assume that there aren’t any real prospects, no matter what the press reports.

Tagged as: Atlantic City, Casino, Economy, Government, MGM, Pinnacle