Land Casinos in Atlantic City
Gambling in New Jersey has a long legacy with ups and downs, but with the state being generally more permissive compared to most other US states. Tax on gambling was used as a mean to finance different projects along the way, making itself an important mark in New Jersey’s history.
Today, there are only a few New Jersey businesses licensed to operate casino games, and all of these are based in Atlantic City.
| Casino | Theme | Since |
|---|---|---|
| The Borgata | Tuscany | July 2, 2003 |
| Caesars | Roman Empire | June 26, 1979 |
| Golden Nugget | Gold Rush Era | June 19, 1985 |
| Resorts | Roaring Twenties | May 28, 1978 |
| Tropicana | Old Havana | November 26, 1981 |
| Harrah’s | Marina Waterfront | November 27, 1980 |
| Bally’s | Modern | December 29, 1979 |
| Wild Wild West | American Old West | July 2, 1997, part of Bally's |
Borgata
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was opened on July 2, 2003, and offers 2002 accommodation rooms. The casino and hotel area are build on a Tuscany, Modernism thematic. The gaming area of Borgata Casino is 161,000 sq ft. We recommend the Borgata Comedy Club for visiting. The hotel & casino were last renovated in 2011. More details
Caesars
Caesars Atlantic City was opened on June 26, 1979, and offers 1158 accommodation rooms. The casino and hotel area are build on a Roman Empire thematic. The gaming area of Caesars Casino is 145,000 sq ft. We recommend the Dusk Nightclub for some fun. The hotel & casino were last renovated in 2006-2008. More details
Harrah’s
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City was opened on November 22, 1980, and offers 2588 accommodation rooms. The casino and hotel area are build on a Marina Waterfront thematic. The gaming area of Harrah’s Casino is 160,000 sq ft. We recommend The Waterfront Shops for a shopping experience. The hotel & casino were last renovated in 2017. More details
Bally’s
Bally’s Atlantic City was opened on December 29, 1979, and offers 1753 accommodation rooms. The casino and hotel area are build on a Modern thematic. The gaming area of Bally’s Casino is 225,756 sq ft. We recommend the Taste of the Shore for a nice meal. The hotel & casino were last renovated in 2009. More details
Tropicana
Tropicana Casino & Resort was opened on November 23, 1981, and offers 2129 accommodation rooms. The casino and hotel area are build on an Old Havana thematic. The gaming area of Tropicana Casino is 123,980 sq ft. We recommend The Palm for a nice steak. The hotel & casino were last renovated in 2015. More details
Golden Nugget
Golden Nugget Atlantic City was opened on date June 19, 1985, and offers 728 accommodation rooms. The casino and hotel area are build on an Gold Rush thematic. The gaming area of Golden Nugget Casino is 74,252 sq ft. We recommend the Farley State Marina for a visit. The hotel & casino were last renovated in 2011. More details
Resorts
Resorts Casino Hotel Atlantic City was opened on date May 26, 1978, and offers 942 accommodation rooms. The casino and hotel area are build on an Roaring Twenties thematic. The gaming area of Resorts Casino is 100,000 sq ft. We recommend the Platinum Place Slots for a fun game. The hotel & casino were last renovated in 2011. More details
Wild Wild West
Wild Wild West Atlantic City was opened on date July 2, 1997, and share the accommodation rooms and casino area with Bally’s, being part of this brand. The casino and hotel area are build on an American Old West thematic. We recommend the Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar for a drink. The hotel & casino were last renovated in 2011. More details
However New Jersey did not have an easy path on the gambling part. Despite being the main contender to Nevada’s Las Vegas supremacy, New Jersey counts only 7 licensed casino operations (as listed above), with many other businesses that got closed or had their projects canceled.
Fun Facts
- did you know that gambling activities in the state of New Jersey were used to finance different expenses and projects, like the French and Indian war or the American revolution?
- did you know that two of the most notorious universities in NJ and the US were built with money from gambling tax revenues? These are Princeton University (previously College of New Jersey) and Rutgers University (previously Queen’s College)
- did you know that Freehold Raceway from New Jersey is the oldest racetrack in the Unites States, with races taking place here since 1830?
- did you know that in 1975, New Jersey started the Pick-it as the first legal lottery game in the United States where buyers could pick their own numbers?