Atlantic City will finally catch a break as Pennsylvania implemented a new smoking ban this past Thursday. The ban affects 75% of the floor of PA slot parlors which puts the state on even footing with Atlantic City. This equality will be short lived, however. New Jersey will enforce a full smoking ban effective October 15th, placing PA back in the driver’s seat. AC can’t catch a break. New competition from PA, the smoking ban, high gas prices, and a difficult consumer environment have contributed to a string of monthly revenue declines (see chart). The 10/15/08 full smoking ban pushes back the “easy comparison” thesis by another 12 months.
Full smoking ban goes into effect on 10/15/08