The History of Atlantic City and Casinos

Atlantic City has a long and storied history that is important to the United States. Formed in 1854, Atlantic City was originally called Absecon after its county name. However, it was renamed to Atlantic City in 1857 with the construction of the Atlantic City Railroad. From the early 1900s until the 1970s, Atlantic City had a booming population and business. It eventually became a destination for gamblers and tourists from all over the world. It also remained one of the most popular destinations for its hotels and casinos which have been around since 1901. With a casino-heavy industry, Atlantic City witnessed many changes over time. Here are some things you may not know about this historic city.

The History of Atlantic City

The history of Atlantic City began with the construction of the Atlantic City Railroad in 1857. This was followed by the town’s name change from Absecon to Atlantic City in 1857. Its population grew and its businesses flourished until it became a destination for gamblers and tourists from all over the world.

In 1901, Colonel Reuben Ramsdell opened his first casino, which would become one of the most popular destinations for its hotels and casinos which have been around since 1901. With a casino-heavy industry, Atlantic City witnessed many changes over time. In 1978, New Jersey legalized gambling establishments outside of Atlantic City after previously denying them. In addition to gambling, other industries such as tourism have changed drastically throughout the years with declining populations on the boardwalk in recent decades.

With an estimated $2 billion in annual revenue during its peak year at the height of its power (1980), casinos and gaming are still some of the most profitable businesses in America today.

Casinos in America

Casinos in America have a long history. The first casino was established in New Orleans, Louisiana on July 4th, 1717. The word casino actually stems from the Italian word "casa" which means "house." North Americans began to use the word casino to refer to what used to be called gambling houses. These casinos were often built in remote locations because they were considered illegal. Casinos eventually became popular places for organized crime and prostitution.

In 1961, Atlantic City passed an ordinance that allowed casinos to operate legally within city limits. From this point forward, Atlantic City’s growth as well as its demographics changed drastically. Casinos generated funds for the city and employed thousands of people from all over the world who had previously been living outside of Atlantic City or other parts of New Jersey. However, as time went on and more casinos opened in Atlantic City, tourism began to suffer which resulted in a decrease in revenue for casinos and a decrease in the overall population of Atlantic City.

Atlantic City before the casinos

Though Atlantic City was created in 1854, it wasn't until the early 1900s that a large amount of casinos were constructed. These early casinos included gambling halls, hotels, and even boarding houses. Due to the rise in popularity of gambling, Atlantic City became one of the most popular destinations for gamblers from all over the world.

Casino-heavy industry

Atlantic City has been a destination for gamblers and tourists from all over the world since 1901. With a casino-heavy industry, Atlantic City witnessed many changes over time. In fact, it saw its population boom from 5,000 in 1905 to 95,000 in 1935. The gambling industry is also responsible for providing jobs for 9,000 people in Atlantic City and as many as 1 million nationally.

With so much attention on the city's gambling industry, it's easy to forget that the resort is also home to other attractions like shopping and dining. The beach at Atlantic City is known for being one of the most beautiful beaches along the Jersey shoreline. It also has a rich history that includes some of America's earliest settlers who used it as a port during colonial times. With such a diverse and unique piece of land with an abundance of attractions, there really is something for everyone when they come to visit Atlantic City.

Atlantic City after gambling becomes illegal

In 1978, it became illegal to gamble in Atlantic City. This led to the closure of many casinos and a drop in visitorship. The city attempted to revive itself by opening up land for parks, museums, and cultural centers. However, this was not enough to save the city from financial struggles. In order to help out Atlantic City, the state of New Jersey created a $100 million bond issue that would help support the city’s new revitalization plan.

Conclusion

Atlantic City has been the home of casinos for over a century, but it wasn’t always the gambling capital of the world. The city once served as the country’s first planned resort in 1766, though it was overshadowed by New York City during its early years. When gambling became illegal in Atlantic City, the economy took a hit. Today, Atlantic City is still a popular vacation destination, but it has become more of a destination for tourists than for gamblers.