The connector also affected the city's casino industry, shifting business from boardwalk casinos to those at the marina. Transportation analyst and former SJTA executive Anthony Marino agreed that the connector "no doubt a factor in the difficulties experienced by Boardwalk casinos." The eight casinos along the boardwalk in 2001 were down to four by 2016. State records that year showed that the three marina casinos had an average annual gross revenue of $134 million, compared to $70 million for the boardwalk casinos. Whelan said "the impact of the [connector project is undeniable", in improving traffic flow in the city and road access to Brigantine. He also credited the project for bringing Borgata, which has since become the city's top-grossing casino.