What is the history of the East Coast’s Gambling Mecca?

Atlantic City Casinos History Atlantic City or AC, has long been considered the ‘Vegas of the East’. During the financial crisis Atlantic City it hard times, but since Covid and the opening of the Hard Rock Casino, everything has changed. As a result of creating a destination for gamblers and tourists.
Moreover, AC now has something for everyone.
But, how did this all begin?

Bob Jagendorf from Manalapan, NJ, USA – Atlantic City From The Air
Back in the 19th century Atlantic City became a boom town! Prime real estate between marsh and ocean offered a paradise seeker’s ideal location.

Furthermore, the government invested in railroads to provide easy transportation for the masses.
The needs of the masses were quickly answered by hotels popping up all along the shoreline.

Shinya Suzuki – Flickr: Boardwalk
The 1920’s was a great time for AC as popularized in the HBO series Boardwalk Empire which focuses on the end of the 20’s and the beginning of the Prohibition Era. A time of organized crime.

Paul Lowry – https://www.flickr.com/photos/paul_lowry/4391065520/sizes/l/in/photostream/ Made famous in HBO’s Boardwalk Empire
Atlantic City Casinos Recovery Continues
But then came World War 2 and AC fell into poverty. From the 1940s to the 1970’s AC was in some bad shape. But, the legislature decided to put a referedum for legal gambling in 1976.
Voters passed it with hopes of economic glory once more for AC. As a result, in road the developers, casinos and bright lights!


Ron Miguel –
B64 at English Wikipedia
But, most of AC stayed impoverished. The money never trickled into the community. It trickled into the investors.

Jcjh20 – Own work by the original uploader
Why?

Tim Emerich – https://www.publicdomainpictures.net/en/view-image.php?image=51396&picture=atlantic-city-boardwalk
Because Atlantic City has a terribly run government that spends too much and has not invested in any lasting change in their community. Boardwalk hall is from the 1950’s. Lastly, the government never even built a conference center with all of their casino taxes!
Farragutful – Own work

Atlantic City Casinos History : Atlantic City Casinos History



