Politico took a trip to Atlantic City and found a “city without a pulse,” its Boardwalk “empty,” its casinos “limping.” One out of every three Atlantic citizens remains without a job, not surprising when casinos can only operate at reduced capacity. That said, one of the many distasteful aspects of the current pandemic is the spectacle of Wall Street boffins rubbing their hands with glee over the improved cash flow that results from casinos getting by on fewer employees and drastically reduced amenities. Big Gaming is not entirely blameless, as its representatives have indicated that this is their ‘new normal.’ As for Atlantic City, “unionized casino employees say they have now been jobless for so long that they’ll have to reapply to their former jobs should their casinos decide to hire them back at all.” A 2,400-turkey Thanksgiving giveaway saw demand far outstrip supply.
Reports Community FoodBank of New Jersey CEO Carlos Rodriguez, “No one’s thriving here.” People who have money are saving it at record levels, not good for an industry that relies on conspicuous outlay of dollars. As for those who don’t have money, there’s scant help coming from the federal government, even if the Senate gets off its duff (a mighty big “if”) and passes a second multi-trillion stimulus package. If you think Covid-19 has been bad for the economy, you ain’t seen nothing yet. As Politico notes, “Atlantic City thrives on the industries the coronavirus hit the hardest—entertainment, tourism, service, hospitality—leaving it particularly vulnerable.” (Mind you, the exact same thing could be said about Las Vegas.) And it’s hitting the people at the bottom of the economic pyramid, those making under $27,000 a year, the hardest.
During my last year on the east coast I spent real time in AC. Ocean is as nice a casino property as any in the US. During the winter, however, it doesn’t make much sense for properties to operate during the week.
For context you should include that the House Of Representatives passed a multi-trillion dollar stimulus bill this past summer, and that Senator McConnell never let it be considered in the Senate. Plus Nancy Pelosi negotiated with the White House for months on a deal that, like the one in the summer, did indeed include help for restaurants and bars. Pelosi and Schumer only this week agreed to go along with the latest proposal that you correctly describe as bare bones, and that is because its so late in the game, and they promise to push for way more in the next Congress. The hold up is Mitch McConnell and his Republican Senate majority, the American people deserved an up or down vote in the Senate on the bill that McConnell ignored on purpose, or at least we deserved a Conference Committee negotiation on the details… Three thousand Americans died yesterday from the virus, we need to bail out small businesses and ride this out till the vaccines make it safe, this is no time for the same old political gridlock crap… The ball is in Mitch McConnell’s court, has been for months and months…
AC: We are both retired, and enjoyed 1-2 weekly trips to AC. Without the considerable entertainment mostly @ Hard Rock & MGM Borgata (not to be confused with The Borgata – R.I.P. many benefits), AC is a lonely place. With convoys of ATV’s & bikes on Atlantic Ave or Pacific Ave it’s more scary than it has ever been before. I wish Bart Blatstein well, but I can’t imagine families flocking to Showboat for his proposed water park.