Atlantic City Races Against Time for Beach Replenishment Before Summer Season

Atlantic City, renowned for its vibrant beaches and oceanfront attractions, is confronting severe beach erosion as the summer season looms. The deterioration, exacerbated by weeks of winter storms, has left the northern part of the city with scant sand, jeopardizing the traditional summer festivities and the appeal of its famed Boardwalk. Casino executives from the area’s northernmost establishments—the Ocean Casino Resort, Resorts, and Hard Rock—are pressing for an accelerated beach replenishment project, which, according to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, may not commence until late summer at the earliest.

This delay poses a significant challenge to Atlantic City’s tourism and gambling sectors, with the casinos fearing a dip in visitor numbers due to the diminished beachfront. The erosion has already claimed Hard Rock’s popular beach bar, and other casinos are struggling to adapt to the shrinking shores. The situation is critical for the city’s economy, especially as it strives to recover from the financial impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. With in-person gambling revenues still below pre-pandemic levels, and the added revenue from internet gambling and sports betting having to be shared with partners, the physical allure of Atlantic City’s beaches is deemed essential for drawing visitors.

The last beach replenishment in Atlantic City occurred in 2020, with subsequent funding delays exacerbating the current erosion issues. A proposed $30 million replenishment project has secured $25 million in federal funding, but bureaucratic processes threaten to delay its start. Casino and city officials are advocating for a "beach-lite" early summer intervention to mitigate the erosion’s impacts. However, the feasibility of such a solution remains uncertain as the city and its casinos brace for a challenging summer season.