Atlantic City’s Showboat Casino to Announce Closing
Bad days in Atlantic City: Just a week after the Revel announced it would close if it doesn’t find a buyer, the Showboat Casino appears ready to close as well.
Unite Here Local 54’s Bob McDevitt tells FOX 29 News that the hotel and casino will notify workers that it’s closing.
About 2,500 people work for the Showboat.
It’s worth mentioning that Showboat is right next to the Revel, which is also in trouble financially.
The Showboat is the poorest-performing of the four Atlantic City casinos that Caesars Entertainment owns.
Company CEO Gary Loveman said in May that Atlantic City’s 11 casinos are too many, and that the company would work to find ways to reduce its expenses in New Jersey.
[Update 10 am] Here’s the press release:
LAS VEGAS, June 27, 2014 – Caesars Entertainment Corporation today announced it will close Showboat Atlantic City effective August 31, 2014. The difficult decision to close the property follows persistent declines in business levels in the area exacerbated by the high property-tax burden in Atlantic City.
“While we regret the impact that this decision will have on our Showboat associates, we believe this is a necessary step to help stabilize our business in Atlantic City and support the viability of our remaining operations in the vicinity,” said Gary Loveman, chairman and chief executive officer of Caesars Entertainment. “Since 2006, revenue in Atlantic City has declined by more than $3 billion and competition in the city has increased. The dynamic in Atlantic City has led us to the difficult but necessary decision to close Showboat in an effort to help stabilize our business there and support the viability of our remaining operations in the vicinity. We sincerely appreciate the service, dedication and professionalism shown by the employees of the Showboat over the years to provide our customers with incredible experiences.”
Caesars Entertainment is offering assistance to Showboat employees displaced by this decision, including providing preference for available positions at the three remaining Caesars-affiliated Atlantic City properties as well as sister properties in the region and across the enterprise and other transitional resources.
Caesars remains the largest operator in Atlantic City and will continue efforts already underway to help revitalize and transform the area. Caesars is developing a new, state-of-the- art meetings facility adjacent to Harrah’s Atlantic City and is pursuing other opportunities to stimulate new visitation and growth, including recently overhauling the gaming floor at Bally’s and investing in new dining options throughout the company’s Atlantic City footprint. The company has not yet determined what will become of the property and land. It intends to collaborate with city and state officials as it evaluates alternative uses.
Showboat will remain fully operational until its closure and will honor all room reservations and events until that time. Customers with reservations after August 31, 2014 will receive assistance in finding alternate accommodations.
Caesars Entertainment acquired Showboat Atlantic City by purchasing Showboat Inc., in June 1998.
