If you go to Atlantic City this summer, especially on a weekend, be prepared to deal with mob scenes. The traffic is heavy, the parking garages are full and there are lots of people on the boardwalk.

   Only problem for the casinos, is these people aren’t gambling. Casino revenues went down another 11% in June, compared to June 2009.

   Last weekend I went to Resorts, and found the surface parking lot almost full. The parking fee was $20, but that didn’t stop people from leaving their cars there. Most of them were heading right to the beach. I took a swim, and the beach was crowded. There were lots of people strolling the boardwalk. The water was nice and warm, nearly 80 degrees, by the way. But once I dried off and went inside, the Club 1133 was only about half full. The casino wasn’t nearly as crowded as it should have been for a Sunday in July. I had no trouble getting on any of my favorite machines.

   The arrival of table games to eastern Pennsylvania isn’t helping Atlantic City any. And when table games come to Delaware next month, expect them to take away people who used to come to Atlantic City from Washington and Baltimore. Especially since the Delaware casinos are smoke-free, and about 80% of gamblers are non-smokers.

   Atlantic City has to do something to stay competitive. Don’t ask me what, but Revel finishing up its beautiful building on the north end of the boardwalk would be a good start.

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