NYC casinos, possible smoking ban, gambling struggles will challenge Atlantic City in 2026

Friday, January 2, 2026 7:12 PM
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  • Wayne Parry, The Press of Atlantic City

The opening of the first of three New York City casinos, a possible end to smoking in its own casinos and the continued struggles of many gambling halls to get back to business levels they last saw before the COVID19 pandemic broke out are among challenges facing Atlantic City in 2026.

Also to be dealt with in the new year is the level of state control under a new takeover law that would allow New Jersey to pick and impose a “master developer” for big economic development projects in the city.

Lawmakers are again talking about approving casinos in northern New Jersey to fight back against new ones in New York.