EDITORIAL: Revel closing another blow to A.C., jobs

The announcement came Tuesday that the $2.4 billion Revel casino/hotel, an overpriced white elephant almost immediately upon opening, will be closing next month. This was not unexpected, following as it does three other casino closings happening this year.

The Revel announcement was just one more devastating economic blow to New Jersey and to Ocean County in particular, where more than 1,000 of the casino’s 3,100 workers live. Only Atlantic County has more gaming workers.

In the near term, the state must help the laid-off casino workers find new jobs. It won’t be easy. In addition to Revel’s impending demise, the Atlantic Club closed in mid-January. The Showboat goes dark at the end of this month, and the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino is expected to close its doors next month. The four shuttered casinos are expected to cost the region more than 9,500 jobs and $259 million in spending power.

Over the long term, New Jersey must expand gambling opportunities throughout the state and make a renewed commitment to transforming the city from a casino town with a few family-friendly attractions to a family-friendly resort that happens to be home to a few casinos.

Unemployment has been a persistent problem in the region. In June, the rate for the Atlantic City metropolitan area was 9.5 percent, ranking it 360 out of 372 metro areas nationwide, according to the U.S. Department of Labor. Revel’s closing is one more brutal reminder of the fact that Atlantic City cannot support a dozen casinos. Increased competition for the gaming dollar in New York, Pennsylvania and Connecticut has taken a major toll on casino revenues and jobs. Pennsylvania has dethroned Atlantic City as the second-most-visited gambling destination in the country, behind Las Vegas.

It is long past time that residents of New Jersey and beyond be given the opportunity to play the odds outside of “Monopoly City.” State Sens. Raymond Lesniak, D-Union, and Paul Sarlo, D-Bergen, have proposed legislation that would allow voters to decide on a constitutional amendment that would allow two casinos in North Jersey. The voters should be allowed to weigh in.

Ultimately, though, Atlantic City must open its arms to families, inviting them to spend some time and money in the place once known as a family resort and nicknamed “America’s Playground.” City officials have begun to do that. They have begun promoting the beach, the nightclubs and the shopping to lure visitors. And there are some signs it is working. But unless the state and city continue on that path, as well as addressing serious public safety issues and improving the ambience in areas west of Pacific Avenue, it will not last.

A city by the sea, with a wonderful, historic boardwalk and a 3.5-mile beachfront, has much to recommend it. As the glamor and glitter of the casinos dim, Atlantic City needs to play to its unique strengths.