Economic Slowdown: Online Casinos Next?

The economic slowdown has hit the stock markets and housing markets are hitting the casinos as well...could online casinos be next? While the online gambling world has yet to be affected, Atlantic City is feeling the sting. For a city known for their generous comps beginning with free drinks and ending with free hotel rooms, the cost is quickly becoming prohibitive. AC's eleven casinos are grappling with the value of continuing the tradition of free giveaways to the buses of gamblers who make their way from New York City and other places.

For now, online casinos and online gambling sites have a big advantage in the convenience department which is why traditional brick-and-mortar casinos have had to sweeten the deal. With fewer people coming to AC, is this the time to cut back on freebies or the time to offer even more? In 2007, the casinos gave away 2.4% less than the year before although six casinos actually offered more and five less.

One retiree and gambler says, "You can definitely tell it's slowing down. One woman we come down with used to get hundreds of dollars at a time. Now she says it's a lot less." With racetracks competing with casinos, Atlantic City has to be hoping that the economy will make a swift turnaround. While online gambling seems to be safe now, it is too soon to forecast where the stock market will be going.