Atlantic City, New Jersey — Panels separating from a wall at the Tropicana Casino and Resort may look bad, but engineers have found no structural problem, a state gaming enforcement official said.

Earlier this month, a state gaming inspector filed a report with the U.S. Labor Department warning that a column was bowing and part of a wall was bulging at the casino. The inspector, Lewis M. Springer Jr., is not an engineering expert, but said the column appeared to be under „enormous stress.“

Casino Control Commission spokesman Daniel Heneghan said Thursday that the casino in the past few weeks hired engineers who found the problem was decorative — panels were separating from a wall at the casino — not structural.

The area is being cordoned off as the problem is repaired.

This year, the casino has seen revenues plummet, laid off about 1,000 workers and had a management shake up.

Four years ago, a parking garage under construction for the casino collapsed, killing four workers and injuring 36. Authorities blamed the collapse on faulty design and construction.