New Jersey Attains 45 Years in Legalized Casino Gaming

December 2022 makes it about 45 years since the Casino Control Act got signed into law in 1977. It's also been 45 years since legalized gambling came to Atlantic City and New Jersey. The legalization of online gaming has significantly impacted NJ and Atlantic City as a whole.

In celebration of 45 years of legalized gaming, a group of top gaming officials, stakeholders, and executives held a panel discussion to discuss the impact of casino gaming in Atlantic City. It was an event held on December 8 at Stockton University's Atlantic City campus.

Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality, and Tourism (LIGHT) held the event in the Fannie Lou Hamer Event Room at the John F. Scarpa Academic Center.

Several promises and expectations got set before the arrival of land-based and online casinos in Atlantic City. However, the main goal of the panelists was in determining whether gaming had significantly transformed the resort town and will continue in that light.

Since February 2022, the land-based and online gambling industry has continued an upward trend in Atlantic City’s win streak. According to the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, casinos in Atlantic City generated close to $212.4 million for February. This statistic represents a 43.3 percent increase in comparison to last year’s record. Online gaming recorded $130 million in revenue generation, which is a 38.8 percent increase.

So far this year (2022), casinos and internet gaming overall have increased by 19 percent. However, the problems between Russia and Ukraine caused an increase in gas prices. The increase could also cause a corresponding increase in visitors with intentions of traveling close to home.

In the panel moderated by Jane Bokunewicz, some of the notable members of the event included:

• Lynne Levin Kaufman
• Michael Epps
• Mark Giannantonio
• David Rebuck
• Steven Perski

Lynne Levin Kaufman (Co-chair of Cooper Levenson’s Gaming Law Practice)
Levin Kaufman’s practice is primarily devoted to gaming regulatory and business-related issues. Some of these gaming regulatory matters include licensing, financings, mergers, and acquisitions. She represents casino operators, manufacturers, and gaming equipment suppliers.

Michael Epps (Solicitor for Atlantic City)
Until June 2022, Michael Epps was the Executive Director of the Atlantic City Initiatives Project Office charged with developing an implementation plan for primary elements of the Atlantic City Transition Report. He plays a vital role in the panel as the first Atlantic City native to serve on the Commission.

Mark Giannantonio (President and CEO of Resorts Casino Hotel and President of the Casino Association of New Jersey)
Giannantonio is a board member of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, which held the event in celebration of 45 years of legalized gaming. He holds an important position, even before his position as president and CEO of Resorts Casino Hotel. Giannantonio was a Senior Gaming Consultant with Spectrum Gaming.

David Rebuck (Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement)
David L. Rebuck was named Director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement by Governor Chris Christie. Rebuck served as Deputy General for New Jersey and has overseen various endeavors to modernize gaming in New Jersey.

Steven Perski (Retired Superior Court Judge)
Mr. Perski is the author and principal co-sponsor of the New Jersey Casino Control Act. He’s also the policy advisor to the Mayor of Atlantic City.

Without a doubt, it appears the Atlantic City casinos breathe new life into the tourism industry of the Atlantic City. The number of visitors hits around 30 million from 7 million every year. However, the arrival of NJ online casinos and land-based ones may have caused zero change in deep-seated problems affecting the city, leaving 30% of residents below the poverty line.