Borgata, Atlantic City’s top casino, gets new 5-year license despite ownership uncertainty

NJ grants Borgata new 5-year license

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — Half of it is up for sale with no owner in sight, but the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is the best thing the nation’s second-largest casino market has going for it right now.

Largely for that reason, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission granted the Borgata a new five-year license Thursday, assuming the ownership will work itself out in the coming year or two.

“We remain optimistic about operating in Atlantic City and are very proud of the Borgata,” said Keith Smith, CEO of Boyd Gaming, which continues to own half the casino. “Over the last five years, we’ve continued to improve the product and deliver a great experience, and we’ll continue to build on that over the next five years and maintain our No. 1 position in the market.”

The commission forced MGM Mirage in March to put its 50 percent ownership stake in the Borgata up for sale after MGM refused to cut ties with the family of an Asian casino magnate long suspected of having ties to organized crime. MGM and the Ho family are partners in a casino in the Chinese enclave of Macau.

Since it opened in 2003, the Borgata has dominated the Atlantic City market. It was designed to bring Las Vegas-style glitz and glamor to New Jersey.

“Through an unprecedented economic downturn and increased regional competition, Borgata has continued to demonstrate its ability to remain a strong competitor in Atlantic City,” said commission chairwoman Linda Kassekert.

She also said New Jersey regulators were satisfied by MGM’s decision to walk away from the Borgata and place its 50 percent ownership stake in a conservatorship, headed by a retired state Supreme Court chief justice.

Borgata and Boyd Gaming officials did not reveal anything about MGM’s efforts to find a buyer. An MGM spokesman did not immediately return a call seeking comment Thursday.

The commission found that the Borgata is financially stable and heard evidence from company officials on how it continues to lead the Atlantic City market. For example, the Borgata has 17 percent of the city’s table games but produces 20.4 percent of the city’s table-game revenue. It also accounts for 34 percent of Atlantic City’s casino food and beverage revenues.

The Borgata’s revenue topped $695 million in 2009. That was down 5.9 percent from 2008 but was more than any of the 10 other casinos in Atlantic City took in.

Through last month, the Borgata has taken in nearly $270 million in 2010, down 5.7 percent from the same period last year. Gambling revenue citywide is down 7.9 percent for the period.