Will firms keep their Atlantic City casinos open if they get New York licenses? 2 say yes, 2 silent.

A moment Atlantic City has long feared is drawing nearer: Gambling companies have submitted eight bids for the three licenses expected to be awarded in or near New York City by the end of this year.

But lost in the general anxiety over what three new casinos on New Jersey’s doorstep might do to Atlantic City’s casino industry is this fact: Four of the eight proposals for New York come from companies that already operate casinos in Atlantic City.

In effect, they are bidding to compete against themselves.

So The Press of Atlantic City asked: If you get a license for a New York casino, will you commit to keeping your Atlantic City casino(s) open?

Two said they would: MGM Resorts International, which owns Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, and Bally’s Corp., which owns Bally’s Atlantic City.

Bally’s, however, is in a unique quandary: Earlier this month, New York City Council denied zoning changes the project needs to get built. That seemingly dooms the proposal — unless Mayor Eric Adams vetoes council’s decision, something he is considering.

Two others would not say: Caesars Entertainment, which operates three Atlantic City casinos — Tropicana, Caesars and Harrah’s Resort — and Hard Rock International, which owns Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

The last time new nearby competition was a real possibility, in 2016 when a referendum on whether to allow two casinos in North Jersey was on the ballot, the industry was awash in predictions that anywhere from two to five of Atlantic City’s casinos could close as a result.

That did not come to pass, as the referendum was defeated by an 80% to 20% margin. (Two state lawmakers want to revive the idea, introducing a bill to ask voters again to approve gambling in the Meadowlands complex in East Rutherford, just outside New York City.)

https://pressofatlanticcity.com/news/local/casinos/article_7d9c29a3-967b-4edc-bed8-a002428eac2a.html