Pennsylvania slots have impact on Atlantic City casinos

Pennsylvania slots are no longer just a threat here, but are wreaking havoc on the Boardwalk casinos – a point underscored by the Tropicana Casino & Resort’s fight for its life in a state relicensing hearing.

„We really underestimated the impact of Pennsylvania,” William J. Yung III, president and CEO of the Tropicana’s parent company, said during last month’s hearing, trying to explain to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission why he ordered 900 layoffs at the casino resort this year.

After taking two weeks of testimony, the commission is expected to decide this week if the owner and operator of the Tropicana can keep its gambling license based on character, integrity, business acumen and financial stability.

Last Friday, the commission voted to extend the casino’s current license, which expired at 12:01 a.m. Saturday, until it makes a final ruling. If the commission approves a new license, it will be despite vigorous complaints from Atlantic City’s largest union – Unite Here Local 54 – about what it says are unsanitary conditions at the Tropicana due to the layoffs.