Borgata's Influence Over Industry Revenues

The 12 gambling halls won $475 million in August, an 11.2 percent increase over the same month last. But without the Borgata, which opened in July, revenue at the other casinos fell 1.2 percent. Still, the results were an improvement over July, usually a strong month, when revenues grew only 4.4 percent, and without Borgata fell 6.8 percent.

Borgata had a strong showing. Its $53 million in revenues put it second behind Bally's, which reported $67.4 million. And Borgata's $20.1 million table win put it at the top for the city. Many analysts say Borgata has been helping to bring table players back to Atlantic City at a time when the resort has been very focused on slot customers.

The Showboat, helped by a hotel expansion that opened in May, reported the largest revenue increase of 5.5 percent. Big losers included two of the three Trump casinos, Hilton and Harrah's.

Geographically, Borgata, which is located in the Marina District, hurt nearby Trump Marina and Harrah's, while several of the Boardwalk casinos faired better in August than July. Trump Marina, which has been hampered by poor access as it waits for a new ramp connecting it to Borgata, also played unlucky at the tables. Its revenue declined the most.

Michael Pollock, publisher of the Gaming Industry Observer, said it is too soon to see trends in the numbers, he was encouraged by the August results. Compared to July, revenues rose 10 percent. "I'm always leery of putting too much emphasis on one month," he said. "But it's a 10 percent improvement over July. I think that clearly the market is growing."

But Mark Brown, chief operating officer for Trump Hotels and Casino Resorts, said the figures show Borgata is stealing market share, because six casinos -- including Trump Marina and Trump Taj Mahal -- reported revenue declines, and Trump Plaza was essentially flat. "They're not growing the market," Brown said. "They just took money."