Sandy Wrapped Up a Down Month for Atlantic City Casinos

October turned out to be a bad month for Atlantic City casinos and Sandy’s arrival only made things worse.

Reports out from the Division of Gaming Enforcement showed that the Atlantic City casinos generated only $209 million in October, which is $52 million less than what was made in gambling revenue during the same month last year.

Recovery for the casinos is off to a slow start. The recent cancellations of the NJEA and the League of Municipalities conventions has translated into a $30 million loss for the city’s economy, according to Don Marrandino from Caesars Entertainment. The Press of Atlantic City reports that the four Caesars Entertainment properties, following the storm, were at less than 50 percent of normal occupancy.

The good news is that the recovery started this weekend with Carrie Underwood's concert at Boardwalk Hall, which not only brought thousands of people into the city, but it also showed thousands of people that Atlantic City is open for business.

Other big shows that could help spur-on Atlantic City this month include top comedians Wanda Sykes (November 16 and 17 at Borgata), Mike Epps (November 17 at House of Blues), and Brad Garrett (November 24 at Borgata), “Long Island Medium” Teresa Caputo (November 24 at Tropicana), the So You Think You Can Dance tour (November 23 at Trump Taj Mahal), and legendary rockers Aerosmith (November 23 at Revel).

SoJO 104.9's Rob Acampora contributed to this post.