September saw a 15.1% decrease in casino revenues over the same month last year. It is the largest single month decline in the entire 30 years since Atlantic City opened its first casinos. This makes a 6.3% decline for the first nine months of 2008 compared to the same period in 2007. The two major factors cited in the downturn has been the general economy as well as the increased competition from slots parlors up the east coast.