The Rise and Resilience of Atlantic City Casinos

Atlantic City, New Jersey, has long been synonymous with gambling, boardwalks, and seaside charm. Since the late 19th century, this coastal city has drawn visitors with its promise of leisure and excitement. 

However, it wasn’t until 1976 that New Jersey voters approved casino gambling, transforming Atlantic City into a major gaming hub. The first casino, Resorts International, opened its doors in 1978, sparking a wave of development that reshaped the city’s identity. 

By the 1980s, Atlantic City was a glittering rival to Las Vegas, boasting a lineup of casinos that attracted millions annually.

The city’s casinos have always been more than just gambling dens; they are sprawling complexes offering entertainment, dining, and luxury accommodations. In its peak years, Atlantic City hosted up to 12 casinos, with iconic names like Caesars, Bally’s, and the now-closed Trump Taj Mahal drawing crowds from across the Northeast. 

The industry’s economic impact was profound: in 1990, Atlantic City’s casinos generated $2.95 billion in gaming revenue, employing over 49,000 people and contributing significantly to New Jersey’s tax base.

The Modern Casino Landscape

Today, Atlantic City’s casino scene is leaner but still vibrant, with nine operating casinos as of 2025. These include Borgata, Hard Rock, Caesars, Harrah’s, Tropicana, Bally’s, Golden Nugget, Ocean Casino Resort, and Resorts, as researched by the jackpot replays website JackpotSounds.com. The Borgata, opened in 2003, remains the market leader, accounting for roughly 25% of the city’s total casino revenue in 2024, which reached $2.68 billion across all properties. Hard Rock and Ocean Casino Resort have also carved out strong positions, each reporting over $400 million in annual gaming revenue last year.

The casinos employ approximately 22,000 workers, a decline from the industry’s peak but still a cornerstone of the local economy. Slot machines, numbering over 20,000 across the city, generate about 70% of casino revenue, with table games like blackjack, poker, and roulette making up the rest. 

The average visitor spends about $150 per trip on gaming alone, with additional spending on hotels, dining, and entertainment pushing per-visitor contributions higher.

Challenges and Adaptation

The road hasn’t always been smooth. The early 2000s brought fierce competition from neighboring states like Pennsylvania and New York, which legalized their own casinos. Between 2014 and 2016, five Atlantic City casinos closed, including Revel, a $2.4 billion luxury property that shuttered after just two years. 

The closures led to 11,000 job losses and a 20% drop in gaming revenue from 2006’s high of $5.2 billion. Economic downturns, coupled with outdated facilities in some properties, further strained the industry.

Yet, Atlantic City has shown resilience. The legalization of online gambling in New Jersey in 2013 was a game-changer. In 2024, online gaming revenue hit $1.92 billion, with Atlantic City’s casinos partnering with digital platforms to capture a younger, tech-savvy audience. 

Sports betting, legalized in 2018, added another $746 million to the industry’s coffers last year, driven by both in-person and mobile wagering. These innovations have helped stabilize the market, with total gaming revenue (including online and sports betting) reaching $5.39 billion in 2024.

Top 10 Best Things to Do in Atlantic City, New Jersey – Atlantic City Guide 2025

Beyond the Casino Floor

Atlantic City’s casinos are not just about gambling; they are entertainment hubs. The Borgata’s 2,000-seat event center hosts major acts, from comedians like Kevin Hart to music legends like Sting, drawing over 500,000 concertgoers annually. Hard Rock’s 7,000-seat arena is another draw, while Tropicana’s nightlife, including its Havana-inspired Quarter, attracts a younger crowd. 

Dining options range from high-end steakhouses to celebrity chef restaurants, with over 150 eateries across the casinos serving 10 million meals yearly.

The Boardwalk, stretching 4 miles along the Atlantic Ocean, remains a key attraction, with casinos like Bally’s and Resorts offering direct access. Visitors—over 27 million in 2024—also enjoy non-gaming amenities like spas, pools, and shopping. The city’s convention center, tied to Harrah’s, hosts 300 events annually, from trade shows to boxing matches, adding $200 million to the local economy.

The Future of Atlantic City’s Casinos

As of 2025, Atlantic City’s casinos face a complex future shaped by national economic policies, particularly those associated with President Donald Trump’s second term. Trump’s historical ties to Atlantic City’s casino industry—having owned and operated Trump Plaza, Trump Marina, and Trump Taj Mahal—lend a unique perspective to his administration’s potential impact. 

His policies, including proposed tariffs and federal spending cuts, could have mixed effects on the industry, as discussed at the 2025 East Coast Gaming Congress held at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City.

On one hand, Trump’s tariffs and economic policies may create challenges. Experts at the conference noted that tariffs could disrupt supply chains, increasing costs for casino operations, from gaming equipment to food and beverage supplies. International tourism, which accounts for 10% of Atlantic City’s 27 million annual visitors, may decline due to trade tensions and visa restrictions, potentially reducing casino revenue by 5-7%, according to industry projections. 

Federal spending cuts could also limit infrastructure investments, stalling projects like the $100 million Boardwalk renovation completed in 2023, which boosted visitor numbers by 3%.

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