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Atlantic City Information

Ground broken for Atlantic City ShopRite project - As reported by , on November 18 ground was broken on the 444,000 square-foot ShopRite supermarket to be located at 1801 Baltic Avenue in Atlantic City. Atlantic City has been without a major grocery store for more than 15 years. 

91ÊÓƵ receives grant for police reform initiative in Atlantic City - According to a November 16 press release from 91ÊÓƵ, the University has received a $700,000 grant from the U.S. Department of Justice to conduct and assess a new policing intervention in Atlantic City and Pleasantville that focuses on improving police-citizen interactions during traffic stops with residents and visitors. The project will beging Summer 2022 and last 18 months. Further reporting from . 

"Stronger Shores" effort announced in Atlantic City - As reported by , on November 23, U.S. Rep. Jeff Van Drew announced the "Stronger Shores" innitiative at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Atlantic City near Absecon Inlet. Brett Matik, chairperson of the Atlantic County Economic Alliance; 91ÊÓƵ President Harvey Kesselman; Capt. Jonathan Theel, commander of U.S. Coast Guard Sector Delaware Bay; and Lt. Col. Ramon Brigantti, commander of the Philadelphia District of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers joined Van Drew for the announcment. "Stronger Shores" promises a series of policies and projects, costing billions of dollars, aimed at increasing the resilience of New Jersey coastal communities. Announced projects include the dredging of the mouth of the Maurice River, back bays and shipping routes from Cape May to north of Atlantic City. Funding for the projects may come from the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act.

Teachers convention returns to Atlantic City - As reported by , after a virtual meeting in 2020, the annual returned to the Atlantic City Convention Center on November 4 and 5. The NJEA convention is one of the largest conventions held in Atlantic City. According to a from Meet AC, including two other events, the annual New Jersey State League of Municipalities Conference (November 16-18) and the Import Expo (November 7-8), Atlantic City welcomed 37,800 convention attendees in November. The estimated economic impact for the three events is over $20 million. 

Work begins on replacement of Venice Park bridge - As reported by , on December 6, work to replace the bridge crossing Primrose Avenue in the Venice Park neighborhood of Atlantic City began. This $2.5 million infrastructure project, aimed at improving connectivity and safety for residents, is being paid for with funds from the state Department of Transportation and the South Jersey Transportation Authority.

New Jersey Gaming News

Amendment to Atlantic City PILOT Bill considered - As reported by ,  and  , legislators are considering an ammendment to the 2016 bill that established a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes (PILOT) for Atlantic City's casinos. A number of bills have been proposed. The state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reported favorably on Senate Bill () on December 6. According to the Assembly committee passed an amended version of A5587 (now identical to S4077) on December 13. The bill will now go to the full Senate and Assembly for a final vote. Linked here is cfrom Casino Association of New Jersey President Joe Lupo

Casino Association of New Jersey names new president - As reported by the and , Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City President Joe Lupo has been appointed president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. Lupo's appointment follows the unexpected resignation of Terry Glebocki, former CEO of Ocean Casino Resort. 

Voters reject college sports betting ballot question - As reported by , , and, New Jersey voters rejected a ballot measure () that would have permitted wagering on New Jersey-based collegiate sports teams and collegiate events occuring in New Jersey. Poling conducted by the William J. Hughes Center for Public Policy at
91ÊÓƵ predicted the ballot question would be rejected. 

National Gaming News

Esports Trade Association chooses head of an Atlantic City-based esports company to help develop betting standards for esports and video games - As reported by , Anthony Gaud, CEO and co-founder of G3 Esports, has been named to the . Gaud will will establish and chair a committee tasked with developing betting standards and processes for esports and video games nationally. 

Jim Allen of Hard Rock International to lead American Gaming Association - According to a Novemer 5 from the (AGA), Jim Allen, Hard Rock International Chairman and Seminole Gaming CEO, has been named as the incoming AGA Board Chair. Allen's two year term will begin January 2022. He has served on the AGA board of directors since 2015. 

Nevada casinos report revenue of at least $1 billion for eigth consecutive month - As reported by , Nevada casinos have tied a record for most consecutive months of more than $1 billion in gaming revenue (win). October 2021 marked the eigth consecutive month that casino gaming operators reported revenue in excess of $1 billion in total gaming revenue. The previous record was set in the eight months October 2006 to May 2007. The Las Vegas Strip saw its second-highest single-month total gaming revenue with October 2021 generating $702.2 million. 

New York publishes rules for mobile sportsbooks; no launch date set - According to , rules for mobile New York sportsbooks were published on November 24. The state's nine temporarily-licensed operators could go live whenever they are ready. Senator Joe Addobbo Jr. has requested that the New York State Gaming Commission set a start date for the market, but . 

NFL branded slot machines coming in 2023 - As reported by , through a multi-year licensing agreement, Aristocrat Gaming has received permission to release an NFL-branded slot machine expected to reach casino floors by 2023. This partnership can be seen as futher proof that the NFL, which had been resistant (like other major sports leagues) to gaming, has become more open to partnerships with gaming companies. Such partnerships, according to a league representative speaking to The Washington Post in September, will generate $270 million in revenue for the NFL in 2021 and as much as $1 billion annually within the next ten years. 

Rush Street Interactive announces new iGaming engine for multiplayer events - As reported by , Rush Street Interactive has launched a new iGaming platform called "RushArena."  The 'multiplayer engine' facilitates tournament style play for users. The first offering in the 'arena' space is a slot tournament contest called RushRace. The company also plans to offer peer-to-peer contests using the same platform in the future. 

U.S. social casino revenue nears $1 billion - According to , American iOS users spent a record $990 million in social casino apps from Q3 202 to Q2 2021. While a fraction of what 'real-money' casinos earn, revenue generated by 'social gaming' apps has increased in tandem with that of 'real-money' operators: . 

Wynn CEO steps down, names successor - As reported by , Wynn Resorts CEO Matt Maddox, who took over after founder Steve Wynn resigned in February 2018, has announced his resignation effective February 1. Craig Billings, president and CFO of Wynn Resorts and CEO of Wynn Interactive will succeed him. 

Hospitality & Tourism News

Beach concerts to return to Atlantic City in Summer 2022 - As reported by , a country music festival is planned for the Atlantic City beach August 12-14, 2022. The 2021 three-day beach concert series by Phish brought an estimated 30,000 people into the city each day. 

International travel ban lifted, modified - As reported by the and , U.S. officials lifted a ban on international travel from 33 countries on November 8. Under new rules travelers will need to show proof of a negative coronavirus test before boarding a flight: . Following the announcment of omicron as a "varient of concern" a established from 8 African countries. 

New Jersey bill to create Black Heritage Trail and Commission - As reported by and , the N.J. Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee voted to approve Bill which would create a Black Heritage Trail and Commission. According to the committee's November 15 "The purpose of the Black Heritage Trail would be to promote awareness and appreciation of Black history, heritage, and culture in the state through education, public programs, and historical markers." 

Playland’s Castaway Cove, damaged by fire, submits rebuilding plan to Ocean City Planning Board - As reported by , Playland's Castaway Cove in Ocean City,  has submitted an application to replace the arcade building which was destroyed by fire on January 30. The Boardwalk amusement opened for Summer 2021, but has yet to rebuild. 

Shuttered B.L. England plant sold, new owners considering site for hotel, marina, and other development - As reported by , New Jersey's last coal-powered electrical plant, B.L. England, which closed May 1, 2019, has been sold to Beesleys Point Development LLC. Upper Township, N.J. Mayor Richard Palombo told the press that while a plan has yet to be finalized, the new owners were considering a marina and retail areas, a restaurant and a hotel for the site. Plans are still in motion to bring electricity generated by Ocean Wind, , into New Jersey’s power grid at the site.

United States and New Jersey respond to reports of new COVID-19 virus strain - On November 26, the World Health Organization (WHO) designated a COVID-19 strain ("Omicron" - B.1.1.529) as a . New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy responded to the WHO's announcement at his . Governor Murphy said,  "The reality is that our region is a hub of international travel and commerce, we must be ready now in anticipation of this variant hitting us." Further reporting from , .