By David Madden
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) – Atlantic City casino operators are looking for new options to turn their fortunes around as profits continue to shrink in the midst of increased competition from other states.
Three states have cleared the way for internet gambling within their borders.
New Jersey’s proposed rules are in the comment stage and hopes are to have the system up and running within the state by the end of the year.
What will it mean to a casino’s bottom line?
Analyst Michael Pollock with the Spectrum Gaming Group suggests it’ll give New Jersey the early upper hand on other states.
“It’s also going to be valuable in how the operators use it, how they leverage it to the benefit of getting customers in their doors,” says Pollock.
An online casino offering, paired with the proper inducements, could get some people to actually head down the shore to play.
Another thing the state is considering is pairing with other states to link their slot machines to offer bigger jackpots.