The State of New Jersey has officially licensed 9 land-based casinos to offer real-money gambling services to legal-age players (21+). These resplendent casino and hotel resorts are typically bustling hives of activity with a full spread of card games, table games, slot machine games, bingo, keno, sports betting, et al. 

As a casino aficionado, it is an honor and a privilege to provide a comprehensive assessment, albeit subjective, of the casino industry in Atlantic City. Each casino resort is a veritable palace of entertainment for gaming fans, what with magnificent accommodations, exceptional extravaganzas, haute couture, and sumptuous delicacies to titillate your palate. With so much frenzied activity on the casino floor, with glitz and glam aplenty, it's certainly a challenging undertaking selecting just one casino as the creme de la creme of Atlantic City, New Jersey.

Without further ado, the journey begins with a listing of Atlantic City's 9 prestigious resorts and everything they have to offer gaming patrons, and visitors from near and far. The adventure begins now!

Table of Contents

Tropicana Atlantic City

Located at 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, the Tropicana is a delight, day and night. Located alongside the world-famous Atlantic City Boardwalk and beaches, the Tropicana covers 5 city blocks, and remains one of the largest hotel and casino resorts in all of New Jersey. It features 2,400+ premium grade rooms, with scores of amenities for patrons. There are 18 bars, 25 stores, 25 restaurants, and entertainment options aplenty. Fans also get to enjoy the flavor of the moment – Escape Rooms, and an exciting IMAX theatre too.

In terms of gaming, the Tropicana is bubbling over with betting options. The Players Club is a fabulous option for maximizing your bankroll by collecting points for all real money play. Sports betting remains a hot ticket item, but there is so much more at the Tropicana. Players get to enjoy a fabulous selection of 2400+ Atlantic City slot machine games, including video slots, classic slots, and progressive slots. Atlantic City slots include a high limit slot area too, where high rollers get to enjoy private concierge treatment, with popular slots games.

A full spread of Asian games is also available, as well as Atlantic City Poker, and the Treasure Box which dishes out cash prizes every 30 minutes. Poker is a big deal at the Tropicana, and many exclusive tournaments are showcased in grand style. Casino table games cover scores of popular entertainment options such as Mini Baccarat, European Roulette, French Roulette, American Roulette, Blackjack, 4 Card Poker, Let It Ride, Casino War, Criss Cross Poker, Texas Hold’em Bonus, Caribbean Stud Poker, and Craps.

Overall assessment: Sublime.

Resorts Casino Hotel

Located at 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, Resorts Casino Hotel is a great place to enjoy an ocean-side slice of gambling nirvana. This resort features 1500+ slot machine games, scores of table games, card games, and other games, all encapsulated in an 80,000 ft.² casino enclave. An estimated 800+ new slot machine games have been added, and many feel that these are the Luckiest in Atlantic City. Examples of popular slots include Ultimate Fire Link Glacier Gold, Casino Royale, Powerball Americas Game, The Wizard of Oz, Griffin's Throne, and Magic of the Nile. Patrons get to enjoy $1, $5, $10, $25, and $100 slot machine games.

Sports betting is always a hot ticket item in Atlantic City, with the AC Weekly publication voting the Sportsbook as the Best Casino Sports Bar. Players at this illustrious resort get to enjoy video poker games aplenty, with a treasure trove of options for Asian Gaming, Mini Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Three Card Poker, Roulette, Spanish 21, Pai Gow Poker, Four Card Poker, Texas Hold'em Bonus, and many more. The hotel features many fine eateries including the LandShark Bar & Grill, and Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville restaurant.

Overall assessment: Captivating.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is the ‘Real Deal’ of Atlantic City! You can't miss this sprawling hotel and casino paradise – it is at the very heart of Atlantic City's entertainment arena, and it is the place to beat. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is premium grade – there is no place quite like it. The luxurious accommodations feature rooms and suites that are the envy of competing hotel and casino resorts. Fans get to enjoy a glittering night life at many different venues including the Gypsy Bar, The Premier Nightclub, the Moneyline Bar and Book, and Level I. 

As a gaming fan, you're in good company, what with a full spread of table games, race & sports betting, and slot machine games. Top table games include Blackjack, Big Six, Spanish 21, Craps, Roulette, Caribbean Stud Poker, Baccarat, Texas Hold'em, Flop Poker, Four Card Poker, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker, and others. Slots games are open 24/7 at the Borgata, and include top titles like Ultra Rush, The Price Is Right, Jin Ji Bao Xi Endlesss Treasure™, and hundreds of other titles. Besides the casino games, you’ll get to enjoydazzling live shows and entertainment options at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. 

Overall assessment: World-Class!

Bally’s Atlantic City 

Part of the Caesars brand, Bally’s Atlantic City is located at 1900 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey. The hotel is uniquely fashioned, with a glittering array of amenities designed to make your stay as entertaining as possible. There are scores of different room types, each suitedto specific types of players. Rates are affordably priced year round for those who like to be at the Center of the Action in Atlantic City. Casino games include a sports book, poker games, and scores of affordable video slots attractions. These include Choy Sun Returns, Choy Coin Doa, 50 Dragon Deluxe, and other sizzling-hot Asian games. PS – the casino has been completely overhauled, and it looks amazing!

Overall assessment: Worth a shot! 

Ocean Casino Resort

Cool, calm, and collected – Ocean Casino Resort cuts a fine form against the Atlantic City skyline. Located at 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, this North Beach property offers a smorgasbord of casino and sports betting attractions for players to enjoy. Voted the Best Casino in 2019 by the Best of Press Awards, Ocean Casino resort features 138,000 ft.² of gaming space, with hundreds of games, and a generous loyalty rewards program for patrons. This gaming enclave is the epitome of lavish entertainment with a full spread of casino card games, table games, and slot machine games. These include Mini Baccarat, Blackjack Surrender, Craps, EZ Baccarat, Heads Up Hold’em, Face Up Pai Gow Poker, European Roulette, American Roulette, French Roulette, and more.

The dining at Ocean Casino Resort is off the charts. Players can enjoy surf and turf, with upscale dining and casual dining restaurants, quick casual restaurants, and a delectable selection of dining deals to enjoy. Restaurants include Cafe 500, Amada, Zhen Bang Noodle & Sushi, Dolce Mare, Harper’s, and American Cut. Whatever you choose, rest assured that the quality is unbridled, and the mouthwatering food is enough to keep you coming back year after year. Once you're done satiating your appetite, there are scores of entertainment events, and options available, including a luxurious bath house, spa packages, specialty souvenir cocktails, happy hour options, and daily deals to keep the most discerning players well and truly satisfied.

Overall assessment: Wow!

Hard Rock Atlantic City

There's something exciting about staying at the Hard Rock in Atlantic City. As a sports betting aficionado, this place is superb. It is also equally enticing with a spectacular casino featuring card games, table games, and slot machine games. All the usual suspects are out on full display including blackjack, baccarat, roulette, poker variants, craps, bingo, keno and others. Some 100+ table games are available, including 3 Card Progressive Jackpot Poker, Four Card Poker, Pai Gow Poker, Mini & Midi Baccarat, Asian Poker, High Card Flush, and Casino War.

Overall assessment: Enjoyable! 

Caesars Atlantic City

The name says it all! Caesars Atlantic City is everything your mind conjures up, and then some. Located at 2100 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey, this grandiose establishment is peppered with shopping, restaurants, shows, spas, and things to do. As the must-visit entertainment destination in Atlantic City, Caesars is fit for an emperor. Rooms come in Premium, Deluxe, and Suites, with expansive surrounds and the finest trappings you can imagine. But of course, for the gamblers out there, nothing beats the Caesar's experience. Sports betting aficionados will be bowled over by Caesars Atlantic City and its sportsbook at Bally’s. It covers 15,228 ft.² of gambling space, for connoisseurs of the pitch.

Other entertainment options include Blackjack, Craps, Baccarat, Video Poker, and 2000+ AC slot machine games.Slots include Progressive Jackpot Slots, Classic Slots, and more. At Caesars, everything is bigger, better, and more exciting. Events include ballets, tributes, concerts, productions, and special events. If it's in Vegas, it's in Atlantic City’s premier destination – Caesars Atlantic City. In between the shows and the games, and the lavish accommodations, players can enjoy Chef Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill, the Palace court Buffet, Cafe Roma, Tazza Café, and dozens of scores of other world-class restaurants.

Overall assessment: Gob smacked!

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City

Harrah's Resort Atlantic City is another Caesar's property located at 777 Harrah’s Boulevard, Atlantic City, New Jersey. This exemplary establishment is home to some fine dining, luxury accommodations, and world-class casino entertainment. The newly-renovated rooms in the Bayview Tower, premium and suite rooms are particularly impressive. As for casino games, video poker and slots rule the roost. There are some 2,172+ slot machine games, with many of the titles featuring pop culture themes. Poker, keno, bingo, and craps are prominently showcased, with some 40+ poker tables at the casino. Fine dining is standard, with Gordon Ramsay Steak, Veracruz, and the ever popular Martorano’s.

Overall assessment: Must-visit casino!

Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Golden Nugget Atlantic City is located at Huron Avenue & Brigantine Boulevard, in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The hotel is certainly comfortable, spacious, and immaculately attired. This stress-free destination is peppered with nightlife, world-class restaurants, exciting shows, and shopping galore. It is located on the bayside, not the ocean side. An array of luxury rooms is available, including Double Bed Rooms, Queen Rooms, and King Rooms, in addition to King Bay Rooms and Double Bed Bay rooms. If you are looking for commensurate quality to Caesar's Atlantic City or Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa, this isn't the place. This is laid-back entertainment and accommodation.

The fun never ends at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City Casino. Players are privy to scores of video slots games, poker rooms, table games, and more. Well over 117 slot machine games are available, with luxurious seating, comfortable settings, jackpot kiosks, and highly attentive customer support. The table games include a fine selection of Criss Cross Poker, Craps, Blackjack, Baccarat Mississippi Stud, Pai Gow Poker, Ultimate Texas Hold'em, Let It Ride, Three Card Poker and Roulette. There are high limit table rooms for the high rollers out there. In terms of cuisine, a personal favorite is Bar 46 for casual dining, with Lily's Asian Cuisine and Grotto Italian Ristorante for good measure.

Overall assessment: Highly Satisfactory!

Having reviewed all of the casinos in Atlantic City, one name trumps the competition time and again. The ranking casino is a toss-up between Caesars Atlantic City, and Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa. The proof of the experience is evident in the numbers, and the winner is the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – the most popular land-based casino in Atlantic City by a long margin!