Atlantic City: Casinos

Town named Atlantic City

Jan 15, 1853

The area had been inhabited since 1614, but was officially named Atlantic City in 1853.

World's First Boardwalk

Jun 26, 1870

The first boardwalk ever built in the world was constructed along the beach in Atlantic City.

Atlantic City Conference

May 13, 1929

Nucky Johnson also hosts three-day “Atlantic City Conference”, first known meeting of national organized crime leaders, including Al Capone, Charlie “Lucky” Luciano, Frank Costello, Vito Genovese, Willie Moretti, Abner “Longy” Zwillman, Dutch Schultz and Ben ‘Bugsy” Siegel. Among other things, Conference reportedly leads to plan to invest in legitimate liquor businesses and gambling in order to offset loss of profits from anticipated end of Prohibition.

Development of Casinos approved in election

Nov 2, 1976

NJ voters approve referendum by 1.5 million to 1.2 million votes to amend State Constitution to authorize casinos limited to sites in Atlantic City.

First Casino Built

May 26, 1978

Resorts Casino was the first casino ever built in Atlantic City

Caesar's Boardwalk Regency built

Jun 26, 1979

Caesar's became the second boardwalk built on the boardwalk

Foxwoods Resorts

Oct 5, 1992

First phase of Foxwoods Resort Casino opens in Connecticut, increasing competition for Atlantic City casinos.

New sports betting law enacted

Feb 3, 2010

Governor Chris Christie issues Executive Order 11 creating the New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Advisory Commission to “provide recommendations to comprehensively address the unprecedented financial and structural challenges confronting New Jersey’s gaming, professional sports and entertainment industries.”