OF COURSE IT DOES SILLY! Casinos have come and gone since Resorts Casino Hotel opened its doors to gaming on May 26, 1978, but never were there no casinos open except for:
- Mar to July 2020 when the Corona Virus shut down the town
- Oct/Nov 2012 due to Superstorm Sandy
- August 2011 due to Hurricane Irene
- July 2006 a 3-day casino shutdown was forced due to a NJ State budget crisis
- September 1985 due to Hurricane Gloria
WILL YOU BE NEEDING ANYTHING FROM AMAZON FOR YOUR VISIT? Check out their “Deals of the Day”! Maybe you’re in the market for some good walking shoes, a new camera, sunscreen or a nice hat to keep you from getting too much sun? You want to be comfortable and prepared, right? Amazon has some great travel essentials. Check it out!
What Casinos Have Been Open in Atlantic City and When
Nine casinos currently dot the city’s footprint, down from its all-time high of 12 or 13 at any one given point in time. Those bolded are currently open.
- Resorts Casino Atlantic City, formerly Merv Griffin’s Resorts and Resorts International. Opened May 26, 1978.
- Caesars Atlantic City, formerly Caesars Boardwalk Regency. Opened June 26, 1979.
- Bally’s Atlantic City, formerly Bally’s Park Place. Opened December 29, 1979.
- Sands Hotel & Casino, formerly The Brighton. Opened August 11, 1980. Closed November 11, 2006. Imploded October 18, 2007.
- Harrah’s Resort, formerly Harrah’s Casino Resort. Opened November 23, 1980.
- Atlantic Club Casino Hotel, formerly ACH, Atlantic City Hilton, The Grand, Bally’s Grand, Golden Nugget at Boston Avenue. Opened December 12, 1980. Closed January, 2014.
- Claridge Hotel, formerly Del Webb’s Claridge, Hi Ho Casino, Bally’s Park Place. Opened July 20, 1981. Merged into Bally’s December 30, 2002. No longer an operating casino.
- Trump’s World’s Fair, formerly Playboy Hotel & Casino, Atlantis, Trump Regency. Opened April 1981, Closed 1999. Building demolished 2001.
- Tropicana, formerly Tropicana Casino & Resort, TropWorld. Opened November 26, 1981.
- Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, formerly Harrah’s Boardwalk Hotel Casino at Trump Plaza. Opened May 26, 1984. Closed September 16, 2014. Imploded February 17, 2021.
- Golden Nugget (in Marina District), formerly Trump Castle, Trump Marina Hotel & Casino. Opened June 19, 1985.
- Showboat Casino Hotel. Opened April 3, 1987. Closed August 31, 2014. Reopened July 8, 2016 as a hotel/entertainment complex only.
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, formerly Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort. Opened April 2, 1990. Closed October 10. 2016. Reopened as Hard Rock on June 27, 2018.
- Borgata Casino & Spa. Opened July 2, 2003.
- Ocean Casino Resort, formerly Revel Entertainment. Opened May 25, 2012. Closed September 2, 2014. Reopened as Ocean on June 27, 2018.
Whew!
What Casinos Are Currently Open in Atlantic City
Resorts Casino Hotel
Resorts Casino Hotel is the oldest casino in Atlantic City, opening on May 26, 1978. You can feel the history as you walk the property and see the beauty of the past still shining. There’s the Starlight Ballroom with its cozy, glistening dark wood where top entertainment like Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis Jr. used to entertain, and the marble staircase the celebrities would use to get to their suites. Scattered throughout the building are celebrity handprints and signatures, like those of Buddy Hackett, encased in sand. But Resorts of today is a beautiful casino and hotel with large guest rooms, ocean views, shops, restaurants, entertainment venues and a DraftKings sportsbook. Just step out the door and you’re on the Boardwalk. Can’t get much better than that!
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
Golden Nugget Casino, located in the Marina District is the smallest casino in Atlantic City when it comes to number of hotel rooms. Their rooms are nice but some could use a remodeling. There is a multi-level lobby which can be confusing, especially for first time guests, and the casino floor is not that large, but you’re sure to enjoy some of your favorite games.
If you’re looking for a fine dining experience, Vic and Anthony’s Steakhouse is perfect. There are a number of other fine restaurants at Golden Nugget including the Chart House and Lillie’s Asian Cuisine, so you have a number of great dining options, but Golden Nugget’s popular Buffet is currently closed until further notice.
Caesars Atlantic City
Caesars Atlantic City has large guest rooms and many types to choose from including many ocean view rooms since the property sits directly on the boardwalk. You’ll also find here a large casino as well as shopping and entertainment venues. As for dining options, the Gordon Ramsay Pub and Grill was Chef Ramsay’s first restaurant in Atlantic City. It’s “kind of” budget friendly compared to his other restaurants. Also open now is Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen, and if you’re looking for a good Steakhouse, you can’t go wrong with Morton’s. Caesars has a loyal clientele of guests who have been going there for years and love it!
Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel and Casino
Bally’s Atlantic City main casino floor had recent renovations and has become more lively, but the hotel rooms are small and basic. The Wild Wild West bar is a go-to party spot for anyone looking for inexpensive tables, drinks, live bands and arcade games. Some great places to dine here are Jerry Longo’s Meatballs & Martini’s and Guy Fieri’s Chophouse. Carluccio’s Italian is also a favorite among visitors. If you’re into sports betting, Bally’s offers the popular FanDuel Sportsbook.
Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City
Harrah’s Resort is your above standard casino and hotel by day with a large casino floor and clean, budget friendly rooms with great service in five, yes five hotel towers, so you’re sure to find the perfect room. But at night, the place is full of young party goers ready to have the night out of their life. The Pool After Dark, one of the most popular clubs in the city, has a beautiful, large tropical pool at the center.
Harrah’s is located in the Marina District of Atlantic City so you won’t have direct access to the Boardwalk, but it’s not too far away and for card holders there is shuttle service to sister properties in the city, Caesars, Bally’s and Tropicana.
Many great dining options are available including Gordon Ramsey Steak which is a bit pricey for some. For less expensive options you can try the A.C. Burger Company or Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay. Also now open is Guy Fieri’s Chicken Guy. There are many other options also so you certain to find one that suits your tastes and budget.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
The Hard Rock Hotel and Casino opened in the former Trump Taj Mahal and is instantly recognizable by the massive guitar in front of the hotel. Inside the walls are lined with music memorabilia. The party starts right when you enter the hotel with live music in the lobby bar all throughout the day. Hard Rock boasts top-notch entertainment from Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood and other artists, who have performed in the Etess Arena.
There are also excellent dining options as well. Japanese restaurant Kuro is a favorite or Il Mulino for classic Italian fare. For less expensive and on-the-go options you could try the Atlantic City favorite, White House Subs which we love and for a quick bite you’ll enjoy White House Subs or the Fresh Harvest Buffet.
Ocean Resort Casino
Ocean Casino Resort is synonymous with modern elegance as you’ll see as soon as you arrive and get a look at the beautiful glass structure at the end north of boardwalk. Guest love the new, stylish and spacious hotel rooms. A new attraction in the city is the William Hill Sportsbook where you can take a swing in their Top Golf simulator and top your night off with a drink and a quick bite.
High-end restaurants abound, like the award-winning American Cut Steakhouse, or Iron Chef Jose Garces’ Amada. If your throat is dry, try Villain and Saint which is vibrant with great craft beer or Serendipity3’s happy hour. Ocean’s 5,000 seat Ovation Hall has reopened recently, so expect some big names heading to Ocean Resort soon.
Tropicana Casino and Resort
Tropicana boasts a sparkling casino, a shopping mall, and high-end dining and bars open for vacationers or corporate events any weekend, or weekday. For dining, you can try Cuba Libre, a Cuban-inspired restaurant that’s a favorite with regulars. You could also try Carmine’s which is a legendary New York City Italian family-style restaurant, or P.F. Chang’s for Chinese and Asian dishes These are just a few of the options.
If you’re looking to party, give the Dam Good Sports Bar a swing and Boogie Night where costumes are encouraged. For family entertainment, Tropicana has an IMAX movie theater and its hotel rooms are modern and spacious. You can find everything you need at Tropicana!
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa
Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa is a place to behold with its marble-lined lobby decorated with glass sculptures. The spacious casino is comparable to others in the city, but their true star is the accommodations. Guest rooms are spacious and luxurious compared to some of the other hotels. Even the bathrooms are large and elegant.
Of course, a hotel and casino of this caliber wouldn’t disappoint when it comes to restaurants. Some of the many options are Old Homestead Steakhouse, Angeline by Iron Chef Michael Symon, Izakaya by Michael Schulman, a Japanese favorite, and the Borgata Buffet which boasts to be the best in the city. If you enjoy your late nights you’ll find high-end nightclubs with high-profile DJ’s rotating throughout the night, and for shows, many top acts perform in the Event Center.
Online Casinos
Online gambling is legal in New Jersey and in Atlantic City and currently, all casino hotels other than Bally’s operate online gambling sites.
Credit to Mike Epifani for this information.
What To Do
As with Las Vegas, there are a lot of things to do in Atlantic City. You can take a relaxing weekend by the beach, enjoy the restaurants and shops along the boardwalk, or go on a shopping spree in one of AC’s shopping malls.
Many people just want to relax, eat and gamble and if that’s what you want to do then that’s what you should do. You can stay downtown and rent an Airbnb or have a staycation at one of the nine casino resorts where you have everything you need so you don’t need to leave the property until it’s time to go home.
Just make sure to do your research before visiting to ensure you have the best experience.
Now that you know Atlantic City has nine beautiful and exciting casinos, you must know that everyone has their opinion on which one is the best. Of course, the answer is subjective and often biased, but check out What is the Best Casino Hotel in Atlantic City?
Maybe you’re in the mood for shopping after your breakfast or early dinner? If so, check out our post listing the 6 best shopping malls in the Atlantic City area!
