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Atlantic City gaming revenue down in February

The dozen Atlantic City casinos reported $212.3 million in total gaming revenue last month, down 12.5 percent from February 2012.

Revel's retail mall was largely empty on a recent Friday. (Suzette Parmley / Staff)
Revel's retail mall was largely empty on a recent Friday. (Suzette Parmley / Staff)Read more

The dozen Atlantic City casinos reported $212.3 million in total gaming revenue last month, down 12.5 percent from February 2012.

The latest month was a day shorter than the previous, leap year February, accounting for some of the decline, while any lingering effects of Hurricane Sandy were less clear-cut, according to figures from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. The storm hit hard in North Jersey and New York - key markets for Atlantic City.

The financially troubled Revel, which announced Feb. 19 that it would file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy this month, ranked 10th among the 12 gaming halls, with $9 million. The $2.4 billion megacasino just edged out the much smaller Resorts, with $8.7 million, and Trump Plaza, $5.2 million.

Nine casinos reported revenue declines, including market-leading Borgata, which generated $46.6 million, down 7.5 percent from a year earlier.

The largest revenue declines were reported at Trump Plaza (41.8 percent); Bally's (30.2 percent); and Showboat (27.4 percent). The owner of Trump Plaza announced last month that the casino had been sold to Meruelo Gaming Holdings L.L.C. for $20 million.

Two casinos reported revenue increases - Atlantic Club, up 22.7 percent at $10.2 million, and Tropicana, up 12.5 percent at $16.3 million.

Revel's financial performance has the attention of state gaming regulators. The casino - which debuted April 2 - has been generating monthly revenue numbers far below expectations. Revel's expected restructuring is intended to wipe out about $1 billion of debt in a debt-for-equity swap with creditors, according to sources.

Revel chief executive Kevin DeSanctis said that February revenue from 2,450 slots and 160 table games was up 13 percent over January (in which Revel brought in just over $8 million in gaming revenue) and that group and leisure business was up.

"Our numbers are starting to head in the right direction," DeSanctis said in a statement Monday. "More than 44 groups held meetings at Revel in February, and we exceeded our leisure bookings forecast.

"In the short term, our focus is on enhancements to entertainment programming in the Social and an outstanding lineup in Ovation Hall in March and April," he said. "As we move into summer, significant additions will open, including a high-end slot lounge, a Noodle Bar, and HQ Beach Club."