AC Casinos Fall Hard in September

The Miss America pageant brought thousands of visitors to Atlantic City last month, but it didn't seem to help with gambling revenues. The 12 casinos experienced a 12.9 percent drop in September, compared to the same month last year.

Miss America returned to Atlantic City in 2013, but it didn't help with casino gaming revenues. (Photo Courtesy of Miss America Organization)

The casinos won a bit more than $240 million from gamblers. Revenue from table games dropped nearly 19 percent; slots revenue fell 10.6 percent.

Roger Gros, publisher of Casino Connection AC, said the Miss America pageant has never helped the seaside resort in terms of gaming.

"It's always been a drag on gaming revenues because that entire weekend, they bring people into the city that aren't necessarily gamblers," Gros said. "These people take up rooms and don't gamble."

Gros said the 2013 calendar didn't help either. This September contained one less weekend day than September 2012.

Only the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel posted an increase last month. Caesars Atlantic City saw the largest decrease.