Atlantic City is the East Coast gambling mecca of the United States. Heading into 2020, Atlantic City’s revenues marked their 20th consecutive revenue increase. GGR (Gross Gambling Revenues) for January 2020 amounted to $270.5M, up 22.6% from $220M year-on-year for January 2019. Of the 9 land-based casinos in Atlantic City, only a handful have disproportionately contributed New Jersey’s gambling revenues.
Of all the casino games, slot machine games and table games contribute most to overall GGR in Atlantic City. Leading the economic growth among Atlantic City’s newest casinos are two premier resorts – Ocean Casino Resort, and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. While these two entertainment destinations pale in comparison to the industry leaders, they have shown tremendous promise as top Atlantic City casinos.
For example, Ocean Casino Resort performed exceptionally well between January 2019 and January 2020, with an 87% uptick in slot revenues. This prestigious venue now features an illustrious Asian gaming salon, a high limit slot enclave, and a VIP lounge. 2019 was a breakout year for Atlantic City casinos, with strong growth drivers across the board, in online gaming, and land-based gaming activity.
As a case in point, the total GGR for online casino activity topped out at $482.7 million, up 61.6% from 2018 figures. While 2020 has been characterized by a slowdown in land-based casino revenues, online gaming figures have shot through the roof. Industry aficionados are anticipating figures in the region of $700 million by the end of the year. It is against this backdrop that we can evaluate the top Atlantic City casinos.
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The Tropicana Atlantic City – 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey
The Tropicana scores a guest satisfaction rating of 3.8/5 from an estimated 14,000 reviews on Expedia. This casino and hotel features a wide range of options including family friendly amenities like toys/games, extra beds/cribs, and an expansive game room. Other popular amenities include a swimming pool, A/C, restaurant, parking facilities, laundry, housekeeping service, complimentary Wi-Fi, a spa, business services, bars, room service, and 24/7 front desk. This beachfront location casino offers a full range of spa services with a steam room, sauna, body wraps, and aromatherapy.
For gaming fans, the Tropicana Atlantic City Casino & Hotel is a must-visit destination. There are some 2,400 casino slot machines, 150+ casino gaming tables, a VIP room, sportsbook, and 125,935 ft.² of gambling space for visitors to enjoy. The Tropicana of Atlantic City is a smoke-free property, for added convenience. The accommodations certainly meet expectations with West Tower Classic Rooms, North Tower Classic Kings, Havana Tower King Rooms, Havana Tower Deluxe Suites, Chelsea Tower Classic Kings, Chelsea Tower Classic Queens, and more. Located on the beach, with fabulous shopping facilities nearby, the Tropicana Casino is close enough to Atlantic City's world-famous restaurants, the ever-popular surf stadium, and nighttime activity at Bader Field.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported that the Tropicana Atlantic City generated $349.5 million in 2019, down 8.2% year-on-year.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, New Jersey
The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is one of the most highly-rated resorts in Atlantic City, and a strong contender for top Atlantic City casino. The Borgata is a world-famous destination with fine dining, casual dining, boutique stores, specialty stores, pampering and luxury par excellence. The Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is home to a glittering selection of table games, race & sports betting, and slots aplenty. Players are spoilt for choice with Roulette, Blackjack, Pai Gow Poker, Baccarat, Craps, and beyond. Other popular selections include Spanish 21, Big Six, Flop Poker, Let It Ride, Mini Baccarat, Texas Hold'em, Three Card Poker, and Caribbean Stud Poker.
The Borgata casino is home to a staggering 4,000+ slot machine games, many of which are the talk of the town. There are some 180+ table games, and Atlantic City's only Racebook with cutting-edge technology and a 100+ seat capacity.
Poker players are in the thick of it at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa with exciting Tournaments, and Bad Beat Jackpots to boot. Such is the appeal of this resplendent casino, that it has garnered a 4.3/5 rating from some 5,400+ reviewers on Expedia, with a large number of amenities for visitors. There are plenty of things to do at the Borgata, including a full service spa, fitness center, sauna, steam room, nightclub, and indoor pool. The casino measures 161,000 ft.² of space, with a state-of-the-art sports book and a roped-off Casino VIP room. All in all, the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa cuts a fine form with players and is certainly a top Atlantic city casino.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported that the Borgata Hotel Casino &Spa revenues increased 3.5% in 2019 to $797.8 million, making this the #1 casino in Atlantic City.
Bally's Atlantic City – 1900 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, New Jersey
Bally's Atlantic City – ‘Center of the Action’ - is a Caesars-owned property. The casino is home to a wild selection of interactive slot machine games including classic slots, video slots, jackpot slots, and video poker. Many Asian-deemed favorites are available, such as Choy Coin Doa, 50 Dragon Deluxe, and Choy Sun Returns. This Atlantic City casino caters to casual players, and high rollers with coin denominations starting as little as $0.01, and rising to $100 per game. The slot selection at Bally's Atlantic City is off the charts, take a look.
Besides for slot machine games, players are treated to a lavish selection of top-tier table games. A myriad of bet selections is available to the avid player, including Four Card Poker, Spanish 21, Three Card Poker Progressive, Blazing 7s Blackjack Progressive, Let It Ride, Pai Gow Tiles, Asia Poker, Caribbean Stud Poker, Casino War, Blackjack, Baccarat, and High Card Flush.
Bally's Atlantic City is packed with things to do, including a nightclub, fantastic shopping facilities, an indoor pool, fitness center, aerobics, a spa tub, and a children's pool. As far as the casino is concerned, there is 127,247 ft.² of space for players to enjoy casino games. With 1,807+ slot machine games, 3 Casino VIP rooms, and 179+ casino gaming tables, it's a fiesta of fun for the avid player. Bally's Atlantic City is rated 3.7/5 by some 4,200+ reviewers on Expedia, and scores top marks in terms of affordability, and entertainment value.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported that Bally’s Atlantic City generated $181.5 million in 2019, down 5.4% year-on-year.
Caesars Atlantic City Resort & Casino – 2100 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City New Jersey
Caesars Atlantic City Resort & Casino enjoys stellar ratings from visitors, with a 3.9/5 score from some 5,750+ reviews on Expedia. This premier destination is home to spectacular gaming, luxurious accommodations, and a smorgasbord of delightful entertainment options for players. There are some 1,140 rooms with free Wi-Fi and wired Internet, video-game consoles, LCD TVs, cable TV, and PPV options.
With 10 restaurants on the property, Qua Baths and Spa facilities, Caesar's is the epitome of luxury. Patrons can enjoy shopping, a spa tub, steam room, sauna, full-service spa, and a luxury fitness center. Caesars Atlantic City features 129+ casino gaming tables, 3 Casino VIP rooms, 1,892+ casino slot machine games, and 115,924 ft.² of casino space. It's a plush destination for hedonists, and a fabulous option for table game fans, slot machine fans, and card players.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) reported that Caesars generated $270.9 million in revenues for 2019, down 3.7% year-on-year.
These 4 venues are the top Atlantic City casinos, hands down. While Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, and Ocean Casino Resort are certainly in contention, they aren't quite yet established as industry-leading authorities among the best Atlantic City casinos.