As revenues from in-house gambling lagged, the gaming industry and the state government pursued new online vehicles as sources to expand gaming markets.  In February 2016, Governor Christie signed legislation to allow online gambling and in the following November the first online sites began accepting wagers, including a tax on revenues of 15% on internet gaming platforms and 8% on games sponsored by the operating casino-hotels. 

       The approval of online gambling on traditional table games was followed by protracted legal challenges initiated by the state led by the Christie administration which ultimately resulted in a US Supreme Court decision issued in 2018 holding that a federal law prohibiting the state from legalizing sports betting was unconstitutional. Within weeks of the decision, on June 11, 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation permitting sports betting at New Jersey’s casinos and racetracks (with the exception of wagering on In-state collegiate teams and events) . 

    
​

​
Casino Win: Based upon filings with the Division of Gaming Enforcement, Casino Win for the nine casino hotel properties was $215.6 million for December 2022, reflecting a 1.8% increase compared to $211.8 million for December 2021. Year-to-date Casino Win for the nine casino hotel properties was $2.79 billion, reflecting growth of 9.0% compared to $2.55 billion for the prior period. Internet Gaming Win: For the year-to-date period, Internet Gaming Win reported by casinos and their partners was $1.66 billion, reflecting growth of 21.6% compared to $1.37 billion for the prior year-to-date period. Sports Wagering Gross Revenue: Sports Wagering Gross Revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $87.7 million for December 2022, reflecting a 48.5% increase when compared to $59.0 million in the prior period. Sports Wagering Gross Revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $763.0 million for the year-to-date, reflecting a 6.5% decline when compared to $815.8 million for the prior period. Total Gaming Revenue: Total Gaming Revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $454.8 million for December 2022, reflecting a 12.5% increase from $404.1 million reported in December 2021. For year-to-date, Total Gaming Revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $5.21 billion reflecting a 10.0% increase from $4.74 billion reported in the prior period

       In July 2003. the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opened, becoming the state's largest hotel with some 2,800 rooms and quickly leading all the City's casinos to become the top-grossing in gaming revenue. The success of the Borgata, however,  undercut revenues of the older hotels, particularly those which had incurred substantial debt to expand or renovate their properties in anticipation of the new competition.

      
       The Atlantic City casino industry grew rapidly from its launch in the 1970s through the 1990s, but from 2006 through 2013, gambling revenue fell by more than 45%. Its contraction lagged with cyclical economic slowdowns, along with competition from out-of-state gambling, first from Native American sites in Connecticut begun in the 1990s which were followed by gambling allowed in Pennsylvania, Delaware and New York. The first Atlantic City casino-hotel closures were of The Claridge in 2001 and The Sands in 2006. and in 2014, four of the then 12 casinos--Trump Plaza, The Atlantic Club, Showboat and the Revel--all closed, with the Revel's bankruptcy just 15 months after opening at a $2.4 billion construction cost perhaps the most spectacular failure. In 2016 the Trump Taj Mahal--the last operating casino-hotel of the Trump-owned group which previously also had included the Trump Plaza, Trump Castle, and Trump Marina--closed for the final time after prior bankruptcy filings of the Trump properties in 2004, 2009 and 2014.

In 2006, an impasse over the state's budget between then-governor Jon Corzine and the state legislature resulted in a lengthy state government shutdown at the height of the summer tourist season; this caused the temporary closure of all of Atlantic City's casinos (as well as racetracks throughout the state) because New Jersey law states that gambling establishments can not legally operate without government oversight from the New Jersey Casino Control Commission. The closures cost the state an estimated $1.3 million in casino revenues in addition to the loss of state taxes collected on casino employee wages.[14] As of early 2021, Atlantic City's gaming revenue has still not returned to its 2006 peak. Arguably, the temporary shutdown of Atlantic City's casinos in 2006 encouraged neighboring states to continue developing their own gaming industries.[15][16]



The proposed New Jersey Casino Expansion Amendment (2016) resulted from an agreement among Governor Chris Christie and Democratic state legislators, but voters rejected the ballot question by a margin of 77% to 23%.[53] State legislators were in deadlock over who would be allowed to own new casinos and tax revenue sharing. The measure did not say where the casinos would be allowed. Location and other matters such as tax rates would be determined by enabling legislation to be passed by the state legislature. A law passed by popular vote in 1976 gives Atlantic City a monopoly on casino gambling in New Jersey.[54][55]
An analysis by Fitch, a credit-rating agency, determined that as many as four of Atlantic City's eight casinos would be bankrupted by expanding casino gambling outside the city. Supporters of gambling in North Jersey said the measure would help Atlantic City by redirecting as much as $200 million per year in tax revenue to the city. Opponents said it was unlikely that much revenue would be generated and that it would not make up for the losses due to new competition. Even with no in-state competition allowed, four Atlantic City casinos have closed in recent years, causing severe economic problems.[56][57]

Sports betting
The gross gaming revenue of the gambling industry in the U.S. reached almost $53 billion in 2021, growing significantly over the 2020 figure which was impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. By segment, slots brought in the highest portion of revenue in both 2020 and 2021. Slot machines are often found in brick-and-mortar establishments like casinos, while casinos are well-known locations for gambling, they are not legal in every state. The number of commercial casinos in the U.S. reached 466 in 2021, meanwhile, the number of tribal casinos reached 515.
*  New Jersey Sports Betting, LegalSportsReport.com

• Sports & Recreation›
• Gambling

with $1.08 billion in January. In 2021, the total sports betting revenue in the United States amounted to $4.33 billion. In the U.S., sports betting is legal at the federal level, however, it is still not legal in every state.  As of January 2023, 30 states including Washington D.C. had operational legalized sports betting. Nevada, one of the leading U.S. states for sports bettors, reported a total of 126 sportsbooks in 2021.
As of January 2023, New Jersey had posted four consecutive months of over $1 billion in sports betting handle, roughly a quarter of the total sports betting revenue in the US reported in the 30 states including Washington D.C. which had legalized sports betting.
As of 2023, there are 23 legal online sportsbook casinos licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Many other states across the country have also gone through a legalization process, with differing restrictions on what teams can be bet on and the legal betting age. 

​n mid-March, 2020, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy ordered the casinos closed indefinitely due to COVID-19. The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa was the city’s last to reopen in July, 2020. Along with the Hard Rock, gamblers wishing to test their luck can still do so at Caesar’s, Bally’s, Showboat, and a handful of other places where the artificially bright lights have almost always seemed to be burning on borrowed time. 

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-- Atlantic City History



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The name Absecon came from the Indian word little water or "Absegami" named by the Indians living along the small Absecon Creek.
In 1695, Most early settlers in Absecon were English and earned their living clamming and oystering. Land were was bought not for farming but for control of the waterways.

In 1695, Thomas Budd purchased 10,000 acres of land in what later became Atlantic County. He paid 4 cents an acre for land on which Atlantic City now stands. It was called Further Island (further from Absecon) and later called Absecon Beach and finally became Atlantic City.
Jeremiah Leeds was the first permanent settler on Absecon Island in 1785. He came from Leeds Point to Absecon Island when it was a complete wilderness. He built a cabin of cedar logs and cleared a field where the Atlantic City Expressway now ends in Atlantic City. The block called Columbus Plaza was part of the Leeds farm. Most of the homes in Atlantic City until 1854 were built by descendants of Jeremiah Leeds. His youngest son, Robert, became the first postmaster of Atlantic City.
In 1819, Dr. Jonathan Pitney went to Absecon to set up his medical practice. His visits to Absecon Island convinced him that the island had the climate ideal for a health resort. He was instrumental in convincing the municipal authorities that a railroad to the beach would be beneficial. He has been called the "Father of Atlantic City".
The first beachwalk or "boardwalk in Atlantic City was completed in 1870 by Simon Luchs Wescoat. Because of its success as a resort, a second railroad was built in 1877. Fifty-four miles of track was laid in record time - 98 days. And in 1880, another milestone: the first salt water taffy in Atlantic City was made. Here future was assured.

Because of its location in South Jersey, which hugs the Atlantic Ocean between marshlands and islands, Atlantic City was viewed by developers as prime real estate and a potential resort town. In 1853, the first commercial hotel, the Belloe House, which was built at the intersection of Massachusetts and Atlantic Avenues.[31]
The city was incorporated in 1854, the same year train service began on the Camden and Atlantic Railroad.[32] Built on the edge of the bay, this served as the direct link of this remote parcel of land with Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. That same year, construction of the Absecon Lighthouse, designed by George Meade of the Corps of Topographical Engineers, was approved, with work initiated the next year.[33] By 1874, almost 500,000 passengers a year were coming to Atlantic City by rail. In Boardwalk Empire: The Birth, High Times, and Corruption of Atlantic City, "Atlantic City's Godfather"[34] Nelson Johnson describes the inspiration of Dr. Jonathan Pitney (the "Father of Atlantic City"[35]) to develop Atlantic City as a health resort, his efforts to convince the municipal authorities that a railroad to the beach would be beneficial, his successful alliance with Samuel Richards (entrepreneur and member of the most influential family in southern New Jersey at the time) to achieve that goal, the actual building of the railroad, and the experience of the first 600 riders, who "were chosen carefully by Samuel Richards and Jonathan Pitney":[36]
After arriving in Atlantic City, a second train brought the visitors to the door of the resort's first public lodging, the United States Hotel. The hotel was owned by the railroad. It was a sprawling, four-story structure built to house 2,000 guests. It opened while it was still under construction, with only one wing standing, and even that wasn't completed. By year's end, when it was fully constructed, the United States Hotel was not only the first hotel in Atlantic City but also the largest in the nation. Its rooms totaled more than 600, and its grounds covered some 14 acres.
The first boardwalk was built in 1870 along a portion of the beach in an effort to help hotel owners keep sand out of their lobbies. Businesses were restricted and the boardwalk was removed each year at the end of the peak season.[37] Because of its effectiveness and popularity, the boardwalk was expanded in length and width, and modified several times in subsequent years. The historic length of the boardwalk, before the destructive 1944 Great Atlantic Hurricane, was about 7 mi (11 km) and it extended from Atlantic City to Longport, through Ventnor and Margate.[38]
The first road connecting the city to the mainland at Pleasantville was completed in 1870 and charged a 30-cent toll. Albany Avenue was the first road to the mainland available without a toll.[39]
By 1878, because of the growing popularity of the city, one railroad line could no longer keep up with demand. Soon, the Philadelphia and Atlantic City Railway was also constructed to transport tourists to Atlantic City. At this point massive hotels like The United States and Surf House, as well as smaller rooming houses, had sprung up all over town. The United States Hotel took up a full city block between Atlantic, Pacific, Delaware, and Maryland Avenues. These hotels were not only impressive in size, but featured the most updated amenities, and were considered quite luxurious for their time.

One by one, additional large hotels were constructed along the boardwalk, including the Brighton, Chelsea, Shelburne, Ambassador, Ritz Carlton, Mayflower, Madison House, and the Breakers. The Quaker-owned Chalfonte House, opened in 1868, and Haddon House, opened in 1869, flanked North Carolina Avenue at the beach end. Over the years, their original wood-frame structures would be enlarged, and even moved closer to the beach. The modern Chalfonte Hotel, eight stories tall, opened in 1904. The modern Haddon Hall was built in stages and was completed in 1929, at eleven stories. By this time, they were under the same ownership and merged into the Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel, becoming the city's largest hotel with nearly 1,000 rooms. By 1930, the Claridge, the city's last large hotel before the casinos, opened its doors. The 400-room Claridge was built by a partnership that included renowned Philadelphia contractor John McShain. At 24 stories, it would become known as the "Skyscraper by the Sea". The city became known as "The World's Playground".[40][41]
In 1883, salt water taffy was conceived in Atlantic City by David Bradley. The traditional story is that Bradley's shop was flooded after a major storm, soaking his taffy with salty Atlantic Ocean water. He sold some "salt water taffy" to a girl, who proudly walked down to the beach to show her friends. Bradley's mother was in the back of the store when the sale was made, and loved the name, and so salt water taffy was born.[42][43]

During this time, Atlantic City was led by mayor Edward L. Bader, known for his contributions to the construction, athletics and aviation of Atlantic City.[46] Despite opposition, he had Atlantic City purchase the land that became the city's municipal airport and high school football stadium, both of which were later named Bader Field in his honor.[47] He led the initiative, in 1923, to construct the Atlantic City High School at Albany and Atlantic Avenues.[46] Bader, in November 1923, initiated a public referendum, during the general election, at which time residents approved the construction of a Convention Center. The city passed an ordinance approving a bond issue for $1.5 million to be used for the purchase of land for Convention Hall, now known as the Boardwalk Hall, finalized on September 30, 1924.[48] Bader was also a driving force behind the creation of the Miss America competition.[49]

In May 1929, Johnson hosted a conference for organized crime figures from all across America that created a National Crime Syndicate. The men who called this meeting were Masseria family lieutenant Charles "Lucky" Luciano and former Chicago South Side Gang boss Johnny "the Fox" Torrio, with heads of the Bugs and Meyer Mob, Meyer Lansky and Benjamin Siegel, being used as muscle for the meeting.[50] Gangster and businessman Al Capone attended the conference and was photographed walking along the Atlantic City boardwalk with Johnson.[51]


Nightclub era[edit]The 1930s through the 1960s were a heyday for nightclub entertainment. Popular venues on the white-populated south side included the 500 Club, the Clicquot Club, and the Jockey Club. On the north side, home to African Americans in the racially segregated city, a black entertainment district reigned on Kentucky Avenue. Four major nightclubs--Club Harlem, the Paradise Club, Grace's Little Belmont, and Wonder Gardens—drew both black and white patrons. During the summer tourist season, jazz and R&B music could be heard into the wee hours of the morning. Soul food restaurants and ribs joints also lined Kentucky Avenue, including Wash's Restaurant,[52] Jerry's and Sap's.[53]

       In 1976, a referendum was approved by New Jersey voters to amend the state Constitution to allow casino gambling restricted solely to Atlantic City, with the approval following rejection by voters two years earlier by voters of a prior referendum which would have allowed casinos at locations throughout the state.

       To implement the constitutional amendment, on June 2, 1977, Governor Brendan Byrne signed the New Jersey Casino Control Act (N.J.S.A. 5:12-71) into law on June 2, 1977.  As a former prosecutor and judge, Byrne's active support of the approval of Atlantic City casinos was a significant step aiding voter approval of the referendum after a prior proposal to allow casinos statewide had been rejected by voters two years earlier. The Act also made clear that gambling was intended only as a tool to spark wider renewal of the aging resort, with gambling segregated on casino floors apart from other amenities in the hotels and that the hotels have minimum numbers of guest rooms and designated non-gaming facilities. In signing the implementing legislation, Byrne bluntly addressed continuing concerns that casino gambling--like that previously established in Nevada--would be infiltrated by organized crime: “Keep your filthy hands off Atlantic City and keep the hell out of our state!”

       Toward this goal, New Jersey established a rigorous licensing and regulatory process of prospective casino licensees and their key employees which led to rejection of some high-profile applicants, including the Hilton Hotels Corp. and the then principal owners of the Caesars casino group. Under the Casino Control Act, state licensing and oversight of casino gambling and key casino employees are provided through a two-agency system:

• The Casino Control Commission is the politically independent, quasi-judicial, decision-making body, organized in (but not under the control of) the Department of Treasury which licenses casino-hotels and key employees.
• The Division of Gaming Enforcement is a unit of the Department of Law & Public Safety headed by the Attorney General, supervises and conducts law enforcement over all persons, locations, practices and associations related to the operation of casinos and all related service industries.The division evaluates every table game to determine if the odds are fair and oversees strict internal controls designed to protect the integrity of the game. The Division also maintains a list of persons who are excluded or ejected from any licensed casino in New Jersey, such as career or professional offenders, cheats or criminal offenders.
  Other regulations related to casino gambling include enforcement of the minimum age of 21 to gamble and restriction of gambling to the casino floor, prohibiting any play in lobbies, restaurants, bars or  other public spaces in the hotel.

*   Casino Control Act 
*   Casino Control Commission
*   Division of Gaming Enforcement

Governor Brendan Byrne holds bill--the Casino Control Act-- he had just signed on June 2, 1977 establishing process for licensing casinos before crowd in front of Atlantic City Convention Hall. Image: New Jersey State Archives

       Despite their inherent advantage in a return on gambling operations, some Atlantic City casinos have failed, typically through incurring excessive debt or other poor investment or management decisions. After its rapid growth in the 1970s and 1980s,the industry as a whole, however, lagged in diversifying  its original hotels or supporting development of non-gaming attractions within the City outside the hotels. Steve Wynn, one of the initial developers who founded the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City in 1978, sold it in 1987 after clashing with what he believed  excessive regulation by the state and the lack of an overall plan for the City; in announcing his departure, Wynn labeled the local Atlantic City government as "corrupt and stupid" and criticized the state government for not intervening to take control of Atlantic City's future development. Returning to Las Vegas with the profit from the sale of the Golden Nugget, Wynn built the first of his lavish new Las Vegas themed hotels, sparking a renewal of investment by other Las Vegas casino owners and developers in updating or building new hotels--a surge largely not matched in Atlantic City..

     .The first casino-hotel closures were of The Claridge in 2001 and The Sands in 2006. From 2006 through 2013, Atlantic City's gambling revenue fell by more than 45% and  In 2014, four of the then 12 casinos--Trump Plaza, The Atlantic Club, Showboat and the Revel--all closed. In 2016 the Trump Taj Mahal--the last operating casino-hotel of the Trump-owned group which previously had included the Trump Plaza, Trump Castle, Trump World's Fair and Trump Marina--closed for the final time after prior bankruptcy filings of the Trump properties in 2004, 2009 and 2014.

In 2003, the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa opened, a project through which  the MGM Mirage Company and Boyd Gaming to build a hotel with upscale guest rooms, restaurants and nightlife options previously lacking in the existing Atlantic City hotels. Borgata ’quickly became the top-performing casino in the city, but undercut its competitors, particularly the Trump Taj Mahal, which had previously been the highest-grossing casino in the city. Since its opening, Borgata has maintained its position as the top casino in Atlantic City, offering upscale lodging in its adjacent Water Club tower and promoting high-stakes World Poker Tour events and hosting the City's largest poker room with 85 tables.

From 1978-1985, Atlantic City gaming saw rapid growth, with average growth rates of 55.07% (total), 57.39% (slot) and 53.15% (table) per year. • From 1986-2006, the industry grew less impressively, with average growth rates of 4.37% (total), 1.55% (slot) and 6.21% (table) per year. • From 2007 to 2015, the industry saw average decline rates of -7.56% (total), -8.35 % (slot) and -8.13% (table) per year. • Since 1984, slots have out-earned tables in Atlantic City. • Slots increased their revenue share from 1980 to 2002; From 2003 to 2019, table games slightly increased their revenue share. This trend reversed in 2010, and again in 2020 due to the impact of COVID-19. 
Center for Gaming Research, University of Nevada-Las Vegas



Contributing factors to the decline of the Atlantic City casino-hotel industry were the failure to improve and diversify the City's attractions in the face of new competition, notably from Connecticut's new Native American tribal-affiliated casinos and new themed casino-hotels in Las Vegas followed by legalization of casino gambling in Delaware, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and New York State (with New York soliciting proposals in 2023 for potential casinos in New York City and nearby metro sites). Within Atlantic City, the opening of the Borgata in 2003 also undermined the older properties in the City, some of which had invested heavily in expansions or renovations in hope of meeting the new competition from the Borgata and outside the state. In 2006, the casinos accounted for $5.6 billion in revenue, but after the national financial collapse in 2008, by 2009 revenues had fallen to under $4 billion--the lowest the City had seen since 1997.

The proposed New Jersey Casino Expansion Amendment (2016) resulted from an agreement among Governor Chris Christie and Democratic state legislators, but voters rejected the ballot question by a margin of 77% to 23%.[52] State legislators were in deadlock over who would be allowed to own new casinos and tax revenue sharing. The measure did not say where the casinos would be allowed. Location and other matters such as tax rates would be determined by enabling legislation to be passed by the state legislature. 
An analysis by Fitch, a credit-rating agency, determined that as many as four of Atlantic City's eight casinos would be bankrupted by expanding casino gambling outside the city. 
       As the casino-hotel industry within Atlantic City struggled, new efforts were made to expand sources of gambling revenues beyond the gamblers who traveled to the casinos in the hotels. In 2018, the US Supreme Court ruled, in litigation initiated during the administration of Governor Christie, that allowed New Jersey to move ahead with implementing legalized sports betting, which began with the first online sports bet taken in August 2018. .As of 2022, there are 27 legal online sportsbooks licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

​

Optimism over a revival of gambling was spiked by the proposed new Revel casino-hotel to be built on a site at the northern end of the boardwalk, but the project encountered a series of problems, resulting in cost overruns in its construction. In  April 2010, its principal investor, the investment bank Morgan Stanley, announced that construction would be halted and that it would absorb a loss on its $932 million investment. After a series of ownership changes and refinancings--aided by the state government under Governor Christie committing to providing tax incentives up to $261 million in the stalled project in exchange for 20% of certain equity distributions--the casino-hotel finally opened after $2,4 billion was spent on its construction. Its opening night show on May 25, 2012, a perfornance by Beyoncé in its 5,050-seat concert venue, brought a capacity crowd including First Lady Michelle Obama and her daughters Sasha and Malia. Despite the glittering debut, the Revel quickly demonstrated that its revenues would fall far short of providing support to pay its huge debt, filing for bankruptcy reorganization in .

On February 19, 2013, Revel announced that it was filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The prepackaged bankruptcy will include immediate payment of all priority claims (e.g., vendors, taxes), and the reduction of Revel's debt from $1.503 billion to $272 million in exchange for the transfer of all of Revel's equity to the creditors.[36][37] As part of its bankruptcy filing, Revel declared that the casino's value had dropped from $2.4 billion to $450 million, and predicted that Revel would not be profitable until 2017.[38] In an attempt to attract more business, Revel created a smoking area and reduced hotel room prices, and planned to create an inexpensive food court, and a private lounge for high rollers.[17][38]
On June 19, 2014, Revel once again filed a Chapter 11 bankruptcy petition, warning of closing in early September if a buyer was not found.[39]
On August 12, 2014, Revel announced that no suitable bids were received, and that it would close by September 1.[40] By August 18, Revel Casino Hotel announced the official closing.
The hotel, resort, and casino closed permanently on September 2, 2014.On January 9, 2018, the hotel was sold for $200 million to AC Ocean Walk, whose majority owner was Bruce Deifik, and renamed Ocean Resort Casino, with a reopening announced for Summer 2018.[60]
In late January 2018, the online casino supplier GAN announced it would power an online gambling arm of the Ocean Resort Casino and anticipated the site's launching in 2018.
On April 2, 2018, it was announced that the resort would join Hyatt Hotels' unbranded Unbound Collection.[62]
In May 2018, the Ocean Resort Casino partnered with William Hill to offer sports betting.[63] Additionally that month, casino officials confirmed a June 28 reopening date. After receiving approval from state gaming regulators, the property opened on June 27, 2018.
In July 2018, the Ocean Resort Casino launched an online casino with over 50 available slot games. Players must be in New Jersey and at least 21 years of age to play.[65]

In May 2018, after a six-year legal battle, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey in Murphy v. NCAA and struck down a decades-old federal law that prohibited the state from legalizing sports betting. Within weeks of the decision, on June 11, 2018, Governor Phil Murphy signed legislation permitting sports betting at New Jersey’s casinos and racetracks. Three days later, the Governor placed the first sports bet at Monmouth Park Racetrack. (He bet $20 that Germany would win the World Cup and that the Devils would win the Stanley Cup.) Since then, sports wagering has proved popular in New Jersey, both online and at the state’s casinos and racetracks. Throughout this process, the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) and the New Jersey Racing Commission (NJRC) have worked to ensure compliance with the new laws and develop a fair, transparent market for sports wagering in New Jersey.

 The Borgata quickly became the top-grossing casino in Atlantic City and helped to revitalize the city’s struggling casino industry, surpassing the Trump Taj Mahal and leading to the construction of several other new casinos in the following years. It also set a new standard for luxury and entertainment in the city, which other casinos rushed to match. Despite some initial resistance, the Borgata’s success has proven to be a major turning point for Atlantic City’s gambling industry.  

       After a sharp decline in revenues during COVID-19-related lockdowns and falloff in visitors, the casino-hotels sought relief from the state government, successfully obtaining legislation in 2021 for a change to the casinos’ payment-in-lieu-of-property tax system which resulted in the industry paying $55 million less in 2022 than it would have if the law had not been revised.

IIn 2021, it reported roughly $767 million in gross operating profits, its best year in more than a decade. Through the first three quarters of 2022, the latest data available, Atlantic City’s nine casinos reported $608 million in gross operating profits, putting the industry on pace to match or surpass the previous year.

*  ​Atlantic City: How The Past And Present Collide In New Jersey Gambling, PlayNJ.com 
*  The Complete History Of Gambling In Atlantic City, njonlinegambling.com

According to a report published in 2017 by the Rutgers Overall, nearly 70% of New Jersey residents reported gambling in the past year, though
percentages varied by region and demographic variables. A majority of those who gambled
did so at land‐based venues (75.5%). Only 5.3% of the sample exclusively gambled online,
though 19.2% gambled at both online and land‐based venues.
The prevalence rate of gambling disorder in the total sample was 6.3% – about three times higher
than the average rate in other population samples. In addition, 14.9% of the sample reported
gambling problems, which is also nearly three times higher than the average rate across studies

About 5.3% of gamblers (n=134) gambled exclusively online and 19.2% (n=487) gambled
both online and at land‐based venues
By gambling activity, the highest percentage of high‐risk problem gamblers bet on live
poker (43.2%), followed by sports (41.9%) and other games of skill (33.5%); only 10.7% of
problem gamblers played the lottery.


​Overall, nearly 70% of New Jersey residents reported gambling in the past year, though percentages varied by region and demographic variables. A majority of those who gambled did so at land‐based venues (75.5%). Only 5.3% of the sample exclusively gambled online, though 19.2% gambled at both online and land‐based venues. The prevalence rate of gambling disorder in the total sample was 6.3% – about three times higher than the average rate in other population samples. In addition, 14.9% of the sample reported gambling problems, which is also nearly three times higher than the average rate across studies. These findings are largely due to the high rate of gambling problems in the online panel sample, which reported a rate of 10.5% for disorder and 21.6% for problem gambling. In contrast, the rate of gambling disorder in the telephone sample was well below average. 0.3%, and the problem rate was about average, 5.7%. For purposes of comparison, however, it is important to note that some prevalence studies continue to conduct data collection using only random digit dialing of land‐line phones; this methodology can grossly underestimate the prevalence rate because it excludes those who use only cell phones, that is, younger adults and ethnic minorities who traditionally have higher rates of gambling and gambling problems.
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The casino industry in Atlantic City has undergone many ups and downs over the years, and the fortunes of the Trump empire are a prime example of this. In the 1980s, Trump’s casinos were among the top revenue generators in the city, with the Trump Plaza and Trump Castle leading the way. However, by the 1990s, Trump’s fortunes had started to turn. The Trump Taj Mahal, which was billed as the largest casino in the world upon its opening in 1990, was deeply in debt within just 15 months and was forced to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. Trump was forced to sell assets and lost half of his interest in the property.



In the early 2000s, Atlantic City’s casino industry faced a turning point with the arrival of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. As the city’s casinos began to show their age, casino mogul Steve Wynn announced plans to build a brand new modern property in the marina area. The project faced opposition from some residents and Trump, who tried to block it, but ultimately an exit was added to Trump Marina and construction went ahead as planned. The 1.1 billion dollar resort, which opened in 2003, was the most expensive casino ever built and featured several amenities that the other casinos did not, including a spa, high-end shops, and celebrity chef restaurants. The Borgata quickly became the top-grossing casino in Atlantic City and helped to revitalize the city’s struggling casino industry, surpassing the Trump Taj Mahal and leading to the construction of several other new casinos in the following years. It also set a new standard for luxury and entertainment in the city, which other casinos rushed to match. Despite some initial resistance, the Borgata’s success has proven to be a major turning point for Atlantic City’s gambling industry.  

Bringing Las Vegas-style action to Atlantic City
In the early 2000s, Atlantic City needed a boost to its casino industry. The city’s casinos had begun to look dated, and it was clear that something needed to be done to bring in new customers and rejuvenate the market. Enter Steve Wynn, a casino mogul who saw an opportunity to bring the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas to the East Coast. Wynn teamed up with the MGM Mirage Company and Boyd Gaming to build the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, which opened in 2003 with 200 table games and a 34-table poker room. The casino was a hit from the start, offering a chic nightlife scene and top-notch restaurant options that had previously been lacking in Atlantic City. It also capitalized on the poker boom of the time, hosting several televised World Poker Tour events and expanding its poker room to 85 tables.

Borgata’s success in bringing Las Vegas-style entertainment to Atlantic City quickly made it the top-performing casino in the city. It was a game-changer for the industry as a whole, as it demonstrated that it was possible to bring high-end luxury and amenities to the East Coast and attract a more upscale clientele.

Borgata emerges as an Industry leader
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa quickly became the industry leader after its opening in 2003. Within a year of opening, Borgata’s gaming revenues surpassed those of the Trump Taj Mahal, which had previously been the highest-grossing casino in the city. In 2005, Borgata’s revenues reached almost $700 million, solidifying its position as the top casino in Atlantic City. The casino’s success can be attributed to its wide range of gaming options, as well as its chic nightlife scene and diverse restaurant offerings. Its position as the premier destination for poker on the East Coast, thanks to its World Poker Tour events and 85-table poker room, also contributed to its success.

Atlantic City Peaks
In 2006, Atlantic City reached its peak in terms of gaming revenues, with a total of $5.2 billion. The Sands Casino closed its doors that year, but Borgata remained a strong performer, consistently ranking as a top revenue generator. However, by 2007, total gaming revenues for the city’s 11 remaining casinos had dropped to $4.8 billion, and by 2009 they were below the $4 billion mark. A report from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas Center for Gaming Research in 2016 indicated that Atlantic City’s casino revenues had declined by more than 50% from their 2006 peak, although they have since rebounded somewhat. Despite these challenges, the city remains a popular destination for gambling and entertainment.

The Crash and Revival (2010 – present)
The Atlantic City casino industry faced a major downturn in the second decade of the 21st century, as gambling revenue continued to decline. Despite this, Borgata remained a strong performer and industry leader. However, several other less competitive properties were forced to close their doors, leading to a dip in overall casino revenue for the city. To revitalize the market, there have been several new casinos and partnerships emerging in recent years. Now, let us take a closer look at competition and closures, also an example of such a scenario.

 Competition and Closures
The Atlantic City casino industry faced a significant blow in 2014 when one-third of the city’s existing boardwalk casinos closed their doors. The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel was the first to shut down, with plans to eventually transform it into an indoor water park and convention center. Showboat Atlantic City, which had changed ownership several times, was considered profitable but was still shuttered by Caesars Entertainment that summer. Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, Trump’s first casino in Atlantic City, also closed its doors after 30 years of operation. Trump filed a lawsuit to have his name removed from the property, but the suit became irrelevant when the Plaza shut down in September.

The closures of these casinos marked a significant shift in the Atlantic City casino industry, as competition from newer, more modern casinos in neighboring states such as Pennsylvania and Maryland had begun to take its toll on the older, less competitive properties. In 2013, New York State legalized casino gambling, leading to the opening of several new casinos in the region. The closures also marked the beginning of a period of decline for the city’s gaming industry, as gambling revenue continued to drop in the face of increasing competition.

In December 2012, New Jersey passed legislation allowing Atlantic City casinos and players within the state to offer online gambling services. This marked a major shift in the industry, as it allowed players to access casino games and poker sites from the comfort of their own homes. Five of Atlantic City’s casinos, including the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars Atlantic City, Golden Nugget Hotel Casino, Resorts Casino Hotel, and Tropicana Casino and Resort, now offer a total of 20 different online casinos and poker sites. The introduction of online gambling has had a positive impact on the industry, as seen in the 32% increase in internet gaming revenues from 2015 to 2016, according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Overall, casino revenues in the city hit a 10-year high of $2.603 billion in 2016, a 1.5% increase from the previous year.


In May 2018, the Supreme Court ruled in favor of New Jersey, effectively striking down PASPA and allowing states to legalize and regulate sports betting. New Jersey was the first state to launch sports betting operations, with the first legal wager being placed on June 14, 2018, at Monmouth Park Racetrack and Borgata Casino. Since then, several other states have followed suit and begun offering sports betting to their residents.

Sports Betting


Sports betting has a relatively recent history in the state of New Jersey. In 2012, Governor Chris Christie signed legislation allowing sports betting in the state, making it one of the few states in the country to legalize this form of gambling. The law permits any of the state’s 12 casinos and 4 racetracks to offer gambling on professional and college sports, but prohibits them from accepting bets on college events played in New Jersey or out-of-state games involving New Jersey college teams.

However, this legislation was not without controversy. The Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 (PASPA) effectively grandfathered Nevada’s federal statutory monopoly on legal sports betting, and New Jersey’s attempt to legalize sports betting was met with resistance. In 2014, the state challenged PASPA in court, arguing that the law was unconstitutional and violated states’ rights.

The case made its way to the Supreme Court, which agreed to hear Christie v. National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in 2017. On May 14, 2018, the court issued its opinion in Murphy v. NCAA (the case had been renamed due to the election of Phil Murphy as governor). The Court overturned the Appeals Court decision, ruling that PASPA was unconstitutional and allowing New Jersey to move forward with plans to implement legalized sports betting.

The legalization of sports betting in New Jersey has had a significant impact on the state’s casino industry. Sports betting has helped to boost the state’s economy and has attracted a new customer base to casinos and racetracks. However, it has also raised concerns about the potential for problem gambling and the risk of corruption. Despite these concerns, sports betting is likely to continue to be an important part of the state’s gambling industry for the foreseeable future. It has become so popular that it has even inspired the creation of new and innovative forms of sports betting, such as online and mobile sports betting platforms.

New Blood
In June 2018, two new casinos opened their doors in Atlantic City: the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Ocean Resort Casino. The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino was the result of a partnership between the Seminole Tribe of Florida and Hard Rock International. The tribe purchased the Taj Mahal space from Icahn Enterprises for $50 million and invested another $500 million into renovations to transform the property into the Hard Rock brand. The new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino boasts more than 2,000 rooms and has opened over 20 new eateries. On the other hand, the Ocean Resort Casino is the brainchild of Bruce Deifik, who successfully resurrected the former Revel Casino-Hotel. The new Ocean Resort Casino offers about 1,400 rooms, 16 eateries, 6 swimming pools, and a massive new spa.

The opening of these two new casinos has brought new energy to Atlantic City, with the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino quickly becoming a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. With its iconic rock and roll theme, the casino offers a variety of gaming options, including traditional table games, slot machines, and a poker room. In addition to its casino offerings, the Hard Rock also features a number of concert venues, making it a top choice for live music fans.  

   s focused on offering a luxurious and upscale experience for its guests. In addition to its casino offerings, the resort features a number of high-end restaurants and a spa, as well as a number of luxury hotel rooms and suites. The resort has also made a name for itself with its expansive pool complex, featuring multiple pools and a number of cabanas and poolside bars.
Based upon filings with the Division of Gaming Enforcement, Casino Win for the nine casino hotel properties was $211.7 million for January 2023, reflecting a 15.3% increase compared to $183.6 million for January 2022.
*  The Complete History Of Gambling In Atlantic City, GoNJCasinos.com
*  Trump's casinos - Rise and Fall in Atlantic City, NYGamble.com

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* Online Casinos  *  Casino-Hotels  *  Sports Gambling

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