Atlantic City, N.J., is on an epic losing streak; over the past six years, competitive and economic forces have crushed its local casino economy, driving revenue down by more than 40 percent, The Washington Post reported yesterday. The city that once inspired the board game Monopoly had its own gambling monopoly on the East Coast. Now, it’s more Marvin Gardens than Boardwalk, with states from Maryland to Maine lining up to join the high-stakes game for tax revenue and middle-class jobs. In 2006, when gambling in Atlantic City reached record levels, there were 27 commercial and tribal casinos, slots parlors and racetrack casinos in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast. Now there are 55 -- with more casinos coming in Maryland, Pennsylvania and Massachusetts. In 2006, gross gambling revenue here was a record $5.2 billion. The total has gone down every year since.
