Atlantic City’s casino workforce is down 17.5 percent from last year as the resort continues to deal with the Covid-a9 pandemic.
According to data from the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, Atlantic City’s nine casinos reported 22,503 jobs in September 4,782 fewer jobs than reported in September 2019, a decrease of 17.5% year over year. That marks the third month the workforce was down after casinos reopened following a nearly four-month lockdown.
The last full month the city’s casinos reported an increase in total jobs, year over year, was June 2019, when the industry employed more than 29,000 people, according to an analysis by the Associated Press.
Steve Callender, president of the Casino Association of New Jersey and regional president for Caesars Entertainment Inc., said the closing of the city’s convention business and 25% property capacity restrictions are the main cause of the low employment numbers.
“It doesn’t surprise me that we’re down that far based on the capacity restraints that we have,” he told the AP. “We need help, and we need to be able to offer more of an experience for people. We think we’re ready to go to 50% indoor dining and, certainly, have meetings and gatherings where we have the ability to spread people out in the casino ballrooms and banquet halls).”
The September employment report also listed more than 4,800 jobs that are considered temporary or seasonal. Since July, the category has included “a significant number of individuals on furlough due to COVID-19,” according to the state gaming regulator’s report.
Callender said a good portion of the employees on furlough include banquet and restaurant employees, as well as front office staff who handle meetings and convention events.
Atlantic City casinos were forced to shut down in March. Leaving employees to seek unemployment benefits. Casinos reopened in July, but to a limited capacity. The industry has reported operating losses of more than $112 million during the period.
