The nine casinos in Atlantic City employed 22,352 in August, based on figures supplied by the Division of Gaming Enforcement. In August 2019, the resort employed 6,233 more workers, up almost 22 percent. Of course, you can blame the coronavirus pandemic for the year over year decline. But the totals fell 2,528 compared to July, counting seasonal and temporary workers, as well as furloughed employees.
“We’re being careful and making sure we have the right demand before we bring people back to work,” said Steve Callender, regional president of Caesars Entertainment Inc. and president of the Casino Association of New Jersey. “The last thing we want to do is have people come back to work and then furlough them again.”
On August 31, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa furloughed 2,295 employees.
“Borgata may have been impacted more than other properties since they have more of a nongaming footprint than others,” said Jane Bokunewicz, coordinator of the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality & Tourism at Stockton University. “The food and beverage and convention jobs at Borgata would be among the most vulnerable under current circumstances.”
A number of casinos expect to slow down with the impending slower months in fall and winter.
Bob McDevitt, president of Unite Here Local 54, said about 44 percent of the members were working before Governor Phil Murphy permitted indoor dining to return. For September, he estimated that number would reach almost 68 percent, according to the Press of Atlantic City
