Resorts is Marking 45 Years in Business As Atlantic City’s First Casino
Cheers to celebrating 45 years of existence, Resorts Casino Hotel. The first legal casino in the United States outside of Nevada opened its doors on May 26, 1978, at Resorts International Casino & Hotel. When the casino doors opened at 10 AM, a queue of well-dressed people waited on the AC Boardwalk. Resorts’ acceptance of that first wager changed everything in AC forever.
A gambling center on the East Coast emerged at the Jersey Shore. At its height, 12 casinos in AC brought in more than $5.2 billion in gaming revenue in one year (2006).
There are now nine casinos in AC, and according to state gaming authorities, these establishments generated $4.7 billion in total gaming income in 2022 when coupled with sports betting and online gambling.
Resorts and that Memorial Day weekend in 1978 are at the root of it all. In AC, Memorial Day weekend marks the unofficial beginning of summer, and Resorts Atlantic City often contributes to this celebration.
Mayor Marty Small Sr. and television personality Kelsey Grammer took part in the Opening of the Sea event on the beach in front of the establishment. The Atlantic Ocean is unlocked by turning a large key in the sand, and an Atlantic City Beach Patrol escort leads the way past the breakers and back to land. Around 5 o’clock, the Resorts’ renowned beach ball drop starts.
The Superstar Theater will host a performance by The New York Bee Gees to round out the evening. A tribute band seems appropriate considering that the Bee Gees had eight number-one singles in 1978.
