As reported by: Philadelphia Inquirer
How to deal with Pennsylvania slots coming on line?

That's the key question state regulators and casino executives will grapple with tomorrow during an industry conference in Atlantic City.

Wall Street gambling analysts, who will make up a panel at the event, the East Coast Gaming Congress, have estimated that Atlantic City could lose 5 to 8 percent in annual slots revenue once all 14 slots parlors are up and running in Pennsylvania under legislation that passed in 2004.

That's up to $30 million a year potentially at stake.

"The legalization or presence of gaming in one state invariably leads to calls for a response in neighboring states," said Joseph Weinert, managing editor of the Gaming Industry Observer newsletter, which tracks the Atlantic City market.

The response in Atlantic City has been to expand the market to include nongamblers, with such attractions as the Quarter, a retail, dining and entertainment complex at the Tropicana casino, and the similar Pier at Caesars, to open this summer.

Last week, the gambling affiliate of Morgan Stanley confirmed that it had purchased land in Atlantic City to build the resort's 13th casino. Three major companies with casinos in Atlantic City, Harrah's Entertainment Inc., Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., and Boyd Gaming Corp., are all expanding.
Article By: Philadelphia Inquirer