Unlock the Thrills of Atlantic City Casinos – Your Complete Guide

AC Casino Directory – A Complete List of All the Casinos in the City

When you head to Atlantic City, you’re spoiled for choice. To make your decision easier, we’ve provided at-a-glance information about the best casinos in New Jersey. As well as providing an introduction to the resorts, we’ve added ratings from the popular review site, Tripadvisor, and hotel booking site, hotels.com.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – A High-End Gambling Destination in New Jersey

Borgata opened the doors to its casino and accommodation in the Main Tower in 2003. The Water Club, with suites and a spa, opened in 2008. It’s the largest hotel in New Jersey, located in the commercial marina district.

Besides the rooms, suites, spa, and restaurants, it has around 4,000 slot machines, 180 table games, and 50 poker tables. It’s famous for its poker room and regular comedy shows. Borgata welcomes land-based casino players and virtual visitors through its NJ online casino of the same name. Since it’s owned by MGM, it’s part of the MGM Rewards program. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is also home to arguably the best buffet in Atlantic City, the Borgata Buffet.

Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino – Experience the Charm of the Roman Empire

Caesars Atlantic City Hotel & Casino was the second casino to open in Atlantic City in 1979. The resort was originally known as the Boardwalk Regency, and the name Caesars was added later. It occupies a prime spot close to the Boardwalk. It’s famous for its Roman and Ancient Greek theme, which you’ll see in all of its casinos.

It’s known for performances at the Circus Maximus Showroom and Cabaret Theater. You’ll find more than 3,000 slot machines and 135 table games across the main casino and Palace East, an Asian gaming area. The online version, Caesars Casino, accepts NJ players. You can earn points in the Caesars Rewards scheme in-person and online.

Harrah's Resort & Casino Atlantic City – A Classic Casino with Modern Amenities

Harrah's is located in the commercial marina district of AC. It was the first of three resorts to open in the area in 1980, and the fifth casino overall. It’s known for its tall towers that show LED displays at night. The Broadway by the Bay Theater, now known as The Concert Venue, hosts many forms of entertainment, including boxing matches and shows.

It’s a top choice among AC casinos for slots with over 5,000 machines. It has hundreds of tables for poker, blackjack, roulette, and craps. Harrah’s Casino runs an online casino and is part of the Caesars Rewards scheme.

Bally's Atlantic City Casino – Entertainment at Park Place and the Boardwalk

This hotel casino is famous for its Monopoly board address Park Place and the Boardwalk. It’s one of the largest hotels in terms of options by the beach and the site has a history, having been occupied by hotels for over 100 years. Bally’s Park Place opened in 1979 and changed its name to Bally’s Atlantic City in 2000.

Besides being famous for its superb location, the casino is a major attraction. It has around 1,300 slots and space for blackjack, craps, baccarat, and roulette. Bally Casino is the online equivalent for New Jersey players, and both sites used the Bally’s Players Club loyalty program.

Tropicana Casino & Resort Atlantic City – AC’s Largest Beach Resort

Tropicana first opened in 1981. The location had previously been the famous Ambassador Hotel from 1919. Over the years, it has undergone major renovations for a modern look and expansion of the entertainment offering. Guests can enjoy the IMAX Theater, a family fun center, and an escape room.

The casino has over 2,000 slot machines, and plenty of options for blackjack, craps, and roulette. The poker tables are the place to find regular tournaments. There’s an online version of Tropicana Casino for NJ residents, where players can earn points through Caesars Rewards.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City – Upmarket Resort with Music Memorabilia

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino took over from Trump Taj Mahal in 2018. It has always been home to the Hard Rock Cafe, but now even more music memorabilia and a wide range of casual and fine dining restaurants can be found there.

Head to the casino floor to earn Wild Card Rewards points. You’ll find around 2,500 slot machines, a dedicated Asian games section, and 130 table games. The Hard Rock online casino brings entertainment to players anywhere in NJ.

Resorts Casino Hotel – The First Atlantic City Casino Resort

Resorts Casino Hotel was the first Atlantic City casino hotel and the first casino outside of Nevada to open. It’s been welcoming guests since 1978, but New Jersey visitors have been staying at the location since Chalfonte House was built there in 1868.

The Resorts has a casino with around 1,500 slots, a VIP room, and around 70 gaming tables, including roulette, baccarat, craps, and blackjack. It recently added electronic table games, which provide a similar experience to the options on its Resorts NJ online casino website. When playing online, you can earn points through the Resorts Rewards scheme and via the Star Card at the hotel.

Ocean Casino Resort – Contemporary Waterfront Experience and the Tallest Tower in AC

Ocean Casino Resort is a more modern addition to the AC casino scene. It opened in 2018, taking over from Revel Casino Hotel Atlantic City, which opened in 2012 and closed in 2014. It’s the tallest building in AC and the second-tallest casino tower in the US.

Ocean has thousands of slots and table games in its main casino. However, it has also expanded, adding The Cove, a high-limit slots area with 140 machines, and The Loft, a high-limit gambling area with table service. There’s an online equivalent of the casino available in New Jersey. Players can get points and perks through Ocean Rewards.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City – Experience the Gold Rush

Golden Nugget Atlantic City Hotel, Casino & Marina first opened its doors as Trump Castle in 1985. From 1997 to 2011, it operated as Trump Marina. It was sold and extensively renovated in 2011 and then welcomed guests under its new name, Golden Nugget. Plus, it has access to the marina.

It’s known for having a wide choice of games for players in the land-based casino and at its online equivalent. It has more than 1,500 slots and several regular and high-limit tables with craps, Pai Gow poker, roulette, and blackjack. The 24K Select Club gets players’ comp points.

Taxation of Winnings in Atlantic City – What You Need to Know

When you gamble and win at the casino resorts in AC, your winnings will be subject to the usual federal income tax rate. However, it’s essential to take into consideration the state rate too. In New Jersey, there’s a 3% tax rate that applies to residents and non-residents.

You’re able to deduct losses, so it’s worth keeping track of your activities. In some cases, when you win a certain amount, the casino might deduct and pay the taxes for you. It’s still best practice to know how much you win and how much you owe.

History of Gambling in Atlantic City – How Did It All Start?

Gambling in the US has changed a lot over the years. For a while, all legal gambling activities were based in Nevada. However, that all changed, and it has made AC what it is today. Let’s take a look at where it began and what it looks like now.

Future of Atlantic City Casinos – What to Expect in the Coming Years

Gambling revenues have stabilized in Atlantic City, which suggests a bright future. Both new and old casinos are going strong. Casinos have adapted to changing circumstances and have found ways to keep going, even during tough times.

From more spacious casino floors with daily cleaning to the introduction of more electronic games, we can expect AC to keep evolving. Entertainment and innovation will be two key factors in the future of casinos. Offering dining experiences, spas, pools, shopping, and gambling in a resort with live music, comedy, and sports will still draw crowds.

It’s not clear whether any new casinos could find success in the market as things stand. However, an expansion of activities to include poker and sports betting seems like the inevitable move.

Sports Betting in Atlantic City

Since people were coming to gamble, it made sense for AC to also be home to sports betting. Several resorts now offer a sportsbook. Sports betting became legal in New Jersey in 2018. Many casinos acted quickly, adding retail sportsbooks to their sites.

The first to open was the sportsbook at Borgata. Others quickly followed suit. Bally’s teamed up with FanDuel, and Resorts joined forces with DraftKings. They were followed by online sports betting equivalents.