Struggling Revel needs new management, N.J. Senate president says

Atlantic City’s newest casino has been struggling financially since it opened in April.

According to the leader of New Jersey’s Senate, the problem lies with management.

 

Senate President Steve Sweeney says many visitors had a bad first impression of Revel because of the food prices. And he says the troubled casino has not offered very generous perks.

“I would be so happy if the current management could correct this ship,” said Sweeney, D-Gloucester. “I think that they’re in a deep hole, and I just don’t see it. What I think is going to happen is eventually the investors are going to say, ‘The investors are not giving you any more money because this isn’t working.’ And eventually someone is going to come in and buy it.”

Sweeney says Atlantic City needs Revel to succeed, and he believes tourists may give it another try if new management makes changes.

“If you look just at the facility, there’s no reason why it shouldn’t be successful. It’s gorgeous, a great location,” he said. “When you listen to the owner and he says no one understands my plan for the business maybe no one understands it because it doesn’t make sense.”

Revel’s management has tried to make it a full-scale resort destination rather than focusing on the casino. They plan to use part of $150 million in loans and credit to expand its food options.