Atlantic City is sometimes viewed as playing second fiddle to Las Vegas, although this gambling hub houses some of the top casinos in the US.
Atlantic City has been a favourite of US holidaymakers since the early days of the 20th century. For over 100 years, the seaside town has been a magnet for tourists, who flocked en masse to its renowned Boardwalk and many beaches. However, it was only in the 1970s that the city got its reputation as a gambling mecca of the East Coast, with some of the top casino names opening their doors.
Here are some of the top casinos in Atlantic City that must be on your itinerary the next time you pull into town:
Borgata Hotel and Casino
Rated as one the best casinos on both Yelp and Trip Advisor, for what it lacks with its location, the Borgata sure makes up with its amenities. The casino boasts over 2,000 rooms and is the largest hotel in New Jersey. The Borgata is run by MGM Resorts International and is currently the top-grossing casino in Atlantic City, making more than US$29 million in revenue during the first quarter of 2021 alone.
The casino floor is spread across 160,000 square feet and features 4,000 slot machines, 180 gambling tables, and 50 poker tables. In addition to the central hotel, the Borgata also boasts a smaller 800-room boutique hotel, a two-story spa with retail shops, and five heated pools. And as a cherry on the top, each hotel room is ocean-view facing.
Caesars Atlantic City
Caesars Atlantic City was the second casino that opened in Atlantic City. The resort, which follows a Greco-Roman theme, has 145,000 square feet of gaming space, with 3,000 slot machines and 135 gaming tables. The gaming area is divided into four segments and even features an Asian gaming area with mahjong, a popular game in China and the Far East. There is also a poker room housing 20 tables and an entire floor of slots.
The casino hotel has approximately 1,200 rooms and a spa. However, Caesars is best-known for its events venue, the Circus Maximus. Named after the famed ancient Roman theatre, the venue hosted everyone from Frank Sinatra to Celine Dion. Another drawcard for the casino is the high-end shopping area known as Playground Pier that features well-known brands like Apple, Louis Vuitton, Gucci, and Armani.
Caesars received high scores from Yelp and Trip Advisor, including for both the slot machines and the games tables. Client services at the casino were also rated highly for helpfulness and staff attentiveness. The Boardwalk, which is adjacent to the casino, was also rated highly for its views and atmosphere.
Golden Nugget Atlantic City
The Golden Nugget has a Wild West feel, similar to its sister casino in Las Vegas. The resort features over 75,000 feet of gaming space, including 1,500 slot machines, 75 table games and 1,500 slot machines, while the hotel offers 728 rooms.
Perhaps the most exciting feature of the Golden Nugget is its recreation deck that includes a spa, an outdoor heated pool with jacuzzies and cabanas, basketball and tennis courts, and a jogging track, which is unmatched on the Boardwalk. And if you are a boating fan, there is even a marina. Additionally, the casino has an entertainment venue that can seat 2,000 people and which can be converted into a ballroom.
As a nod to the 21st century, the casino also boasts the best and most diverse online casino in the area that offers over 500 different types of games. The Golden Nugget is rated highly on Yelp and Trip Advisor for its hotel, restaurants, and polite staff.
Tropicana Atlantic City
The Tropicana is highly rated for its slot machines and table games, and customers say it has more of a Las Vegas feel than any other casino along the Boardwalk. The Tropicana offers over 2,100 rooms and 124,000 square feet of entertainment space. The casino itself has 3,000 slot machines and 135 gaming tables and provides both video and horserace betting facilities.
Daily poker tournaments are also hosted. The Quarter, the entertainment centre of the Tropicana, has 40 shops, nine upscale or casual restaurants, ten bars and nightclubs, Atlantic City’s only movie theatre, and a luxury spa. Although the Tropicana has gone through several landlords and financial issues, revenue has been on an upswing recently, buoyed on, in part, by renovations.
