Atlantic City: Rise, fall and rebirth?
Sep 2nd 2014 5:09AM 287 Comments
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UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1900: Atlantic City, Roscoe Conkling Fatty Arbuckle (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
- Atlantic City Map, 1877Atlantic City Map, 1877
- Bathers on the beach at Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
- A view as tourist walk on the Atlantic City Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Circa 1890. (Photo by Herbert/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
- A beach scene where women and men wore styles of the day in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Circa 1890. (Photo by Herbert/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
- New Jersey, 1878, Atlantic City, New Jersey Coast
- Beach at Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA, late 19th century. Illustration from Portfolio of Photographs, of Famous Scenes, Cities and Paintings, published by the Werner Company, (Chicago, c1899). (Photo by The Print Collector/Print Collector/Getty Images)
- A view as tourist walk on the Atlantic City Pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Circa 1890. (Photo by Herbert/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
- Crowds on the beach and the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
- Beach, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1895. (Photo by Geo. P. Hall & Son/The New York Historical Society/Getty Images)
- High-angle view of city, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1895. (Photo by Geo. P. Hall & Son/The New York Historical Society/Getty Images)
- UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1900: Beach and Boardwalk goers in Victorian garb enjoy the sights of the shore on the New Jersey coast. (Photo by Buyenlarge/Getty Images)
- UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1900: Down by the Sea, people of all types take a stroll along the boardwalk. (Photo by Buyenlarge/Getty Images)
- UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1900: Wicker chair carts became synonymous with the Atlantic City boardwalk and were something everyone had to try. (Photo by Buyenlarge/Getty Images)
- A promenade lithograph graces the cover of Atlantic City Boardwalk Promenade March, published in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania in 1898. (Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)
- UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1930: Steel Pier, Atlantic City, N.J. Postcard. 1904, Steel Pier, Atlantic City, N.J. Postcard (Photo by LCDM Universal History Archive/Getty Images)
- Easter Promenade On The Boardwalk
- UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1930: Postcard of The Breakers in Atlantic City. ca. 1916, The Breakers, Atlantic City, N. J. (Photo by LCDM Universal History Archive/Getty Images)
- Easter promenade on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, 1920's
- A view as tourist rest on a Double Decker pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Circa 1900. (Photo by Herbert/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
- A view of Hotel Traymore on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Circa 1920. (Photo by Herbert/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
- UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1900: Atlantic City, Roscoe Conkling Fatty Arbuckle (Photo by Keystone-France/Gamma-Keystone via Getty Images)
- The Elephant Hotel, Atlantic City, New Jersey, with an functional edifice built in the shape of an elephant. (Photo by Topical Press Agency/Getty Images)
- UNSPECIFIED - CIRCA 1930: The Elephant Hotel. ca. 1913, Margate City, New Jersey, USA, THE ELEPHANT HOTEL AT MARGATE CITY, ONE OF THE OLDEST LANDMARKS, ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (Photo by LCDM Universal History Archive/Getty Images)
- 1921: Full-length portrait of the first Miss America contestants, wearing their sashes over swimsuits, standing in a line on the boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Margaret Gorman (second from left), Miss Washington, D.C., was the winner. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
- 1921: American boxer Jack Dempsey (1895 - 1983, left) training in the ring with Wrestler 'Bull' Montana (1887 - 1950) at Dempsey's Stadium at Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Hirz/Getty Images)
- ATLANTIC CITY PIERAn aerial view of the pier in Atlantic City, New Jersey.Circa 1940. (Photo by Herbert/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
- UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1950s: Sea-side board-walk scene.(Photo by George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images)
- UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1950s: Atlantic City, NJ. (Photo by George Marks/Retrofile/Getty Images)
- UNITED STATES - CIRCA 1903: Postcard view of three young women sitting on mules and two young men riding in a cart pulled by a small horse on the beach in Atlantic City. (Photo by Lake County Museum/Getty Images)
- ATLANTIC CITY CONVENTION HALLA night new of Atlantic City Convention Hall in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Circa 1950. (Photo by Authenticated News/Archive Photos/Getty Images)
- Young guests of the Tropicana Motel, sunbath and socialize on the hotel's sundeck, Atlantic City, New Jersey, 1960s. (Photo by Aladdin Color Inc/Getty Images)
- UNITED STATES - JULY 01: Photo of ROLLING STONES; Brian Jones performing live onstage at Steel Pier, Atlantic City, with security, playing Gibson Firebird (Non-Reverse body) guitar (Photo by Bernie Walters - Treecastle Images/Redferns)
- 1964: Teamsters truck with a 'Justice for Jimmy Hoffa' sign and 'Investigate Bobby Kennedy' sign to protest Attorney General Robert Kennedy's investigation of Hoffa, Atlantic City, New Jersey. Photograph taken at the time of the Democratic National Convention. (Photo by Hulton Archive/Getty Images)
- Rev. Ralph David Abernathy a colleague Martin Luther King, Jr. In 1955, he and King became known nationally because of their leadership of the successful Montgomery AL. bus boycott, Dr. Martin Luther King, Aaron E. Henry chairman of the Mississippi branch of the N.A.A.C.P for three decades and Bayard Rustin political adviser to Martin Luther King, Jr. and organizer of the 1963 March on Washington. 1964 Democratic National Convention in Atlantic City NJ.
- UNITED STATES - JULY 01: Beach and boardwalk in Atlantic City. (Photo by Bob Koller/NY Daily News Archive via Getty Images)
- Duches of Cadiz and George Hamilton during Celebrity Ball - Atlantic City at Resorts International Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
- Cher during Cher in Concert - July 10, 1979 at Resorts International Hotel in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. (Photo by Ron Galella/WireImage)
- New Jersey Daily LifeEarly morning mist swirls around the Absecon lighthouse in the north end of Atlantic City, N.J., Wednesday, July 23, 2014. The coastal lighthouse overlooking Absecon Inlet is the tallest lighthouse in the state of New Jersey. First lit on January 15, 1857 and deactivated in 1933, the light still shines every night, but is no longer an active navigational aid. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
- JEOPARDYAlex Trebeck, host of the Jeopardy game show, signs one of his slot machines Thursday, Aug. 12, 1999, at the Showboat Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. (AP Photo/ Chris Polk)
- TRUMP TAJ MAHAL OPENINGDonald Trump ascends the stairs with his fist raised from the genie's lamp after opening the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort in a spectacular show of fireworks and laser lights Thursday evening in Atlantic City, N.J., on April 5, 1990. Behind Trump is the 42-story hotel. (AP Photo/Chaarles Rex Arbogast)
- BORGATA CASINOGov. Christine Whitman, left, and State Sen. Bill Gormley, center left, listen as Bob Broughner, CEO of the Borgata Casino Hotel describes the model of the $1 billion Borgata Casino Hotel Monday, June 12, 2000 in Atlantic City, N.J. At right is Don Snyder, president of Boyd Gaming, a partner in the project. Groundbreaking is scheduled for this fall, in Atlantic City's marina district. (AP Photo/Donna Connor)
- POPEYE SLOTSStan Kozlowski of Bally Gaming Inc. sits by a prototype for a new Popeye slot machine in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., Wednesday, Oct. 31, 2001. The nickel slot machines were approved by New Jersey casino regulators Wednesday. (AP Photo/Chris Polk)
- CASINO CONTRAPTIONA performer playing a mad scientist was on hand as Tropicana dignitaries await a ribbon cutting during the opening of the the Amazing Cash Contraption, at Tropicana casino and Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., Wednesday, April 16, 2003. The Amazing Cash Contraption, a new slot machine jackpot system that incorporated Rube Goldberg style gadgetry into a random jackpot that is awarded every 15 minutes. (AP Photo/Mary Godleski)
- atlanticcity39ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - APRIL 2:Strollers on the Atlantic City boardwalk.(Photo by Helayne Seidman/For The Washington Post via Getty Images)
- New Jersey State Government Re-Opens Atlantic City Gaming Casinos - July 8, 2006Atmosphere during New Jersey State Government Re-Opens Atlantic City Gaming Casinos - July 8, 2006 at Atlantic City in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. (Photo by Tom Briglia/FilmMagic)
- New Jersey State Government Re-Opens Atlantic City Gaming Casinos - July 8, 2006Mark Smith, Resort Atlantic City Black Jack dealer (Photo by Tom Briglia/FilmMagic)
- APTOPIX Mejia Soto BoxingGustavo Mejia lies on the mat after Demetrio Soto knocked him out at 58 seconds into the first round of their super lightweight boxing bout at Boardwalk Hall in Atlantic City, N.J., on Saturday, June 7, 2008. (AP Photo/David Gard)
- Miss America StatueThis Monday, April 28, 2014 photo shows the Miss America statue that was dedicated on the Atlantic City N.J. Boardwalk The statue is part of an effort to provide year-round attractions for tourists that don't necessarily involve gambling. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
- Nik Wallenda Performs Death-Defying Stunts At The TropicanaATLANTIC CITY, NJ - AUGUST 09:Fans fill the Atlantic City Boardwalk to watch Nik Wallenda performs at the Tropicana Casino on August 9, 2012 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Donald Kravitz/Getty Images)
- Atlantic City Air ShowATLANTIC CITY, NJ - AUGUST 13: A view of The 2014 Atlantic City Airshow, Thunder Over the Boardwalk, on August 13, 2014 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Tom Briglia/FilmMagic)
- Atlantic City skyline at nightATLANTIC CITY, NEW JERSEY, UNITED STATES - 2011/04/30: Atlantic City skyline at night. (Photo by John Greim/LightRocket via Getty Images)
- Atlantic City, New JerseyAtlantic City, New Jersey (Photo by Visions of America/UIG via Getty Images)
- Atlantic City NJ Boardwalk[UNVERIFIED CONTENT] Atlantic City NJ Boardwalk on a Sunny Day prior to the devastating Hurricane Sandy
- Grand Opening Of Revel Casino In Atlantic CityATLANTIC CITY, NJ - APRIL 02: General view of the Revel Entertainment Casino on April 2, 2012 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. (Photo by Tom Briglia/FilmMagic)
- Trump-Casino Name LawsuitThis July 24, 2014 photo shows several lights burned out in the illuminated facade of the Trump Plaza Hotel Casino in Atlantic City, N.J. On Tuesday Aug. 5, 2014, Donald Trump sued Trump Entertainment Resorts, seeking to force the company to remove his name from its two Atlantic City casinos, Trump Plaza and the Trump Taj Mahal, alleging the company had allowed the casinos to fall into disrepair and tarnish the real estate mogul's personal brand. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
- Casino ClosingsThis July 24, 2014 photo shows the former Claridge Casino Hotel in Atlantic City that is currently operating as a non-casino hotel. Its new use could be a model for three current casinos due to shut down by mid-September. (AP Photo/Wayne Parry)
- Showboat ClosingWorkers put closed signs on the entrance of the Showboat Casino Hotel Sunday, Aug. 31, 2014, in Atlantic City, N.J. The show is ending for the Showboat Casino Hotel in Atlantic City. The Mardi Gras-themed casino is shutting down at 4 p.m. Sunday after 27 years on the Boardwalk. Owner Caesars Entertainment is closing the still-profitable Showboat to reduce the number of casinos in Atlantic City, which has been struggling with plunging revenue and increased competition. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
- Struggling Casino Industry Drags Atlantic City's Economy DownATLANTIC CITY, NJ - APRIL 29: The construction site for the Revel Entertainment's Atlantic City resort on April 29, 2009 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Many Atlantic City residents are dependent on the struggling gaming industry for employment. Since the beginning of the year, the 11 casinos in Atlantic City reportedly have eliminated 1,270 jobs; totaling a loss of 3,092 casino workers since March 2008. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
- Slew Of Casino Closures Threatens To Take Toll On Atlantic CityATLANTIC CITY, NJ - JULY 30: The recently closed Atlantic Club Hotel and Casino is viewed in Atlantic City on July 30, 2014 in Atlantic City, New Jersey. Since January of 2014, four of Atlantic City's 11 casinos have announced plans to close, gone bankrupt or closed leaving thousands of residents without jobs. As neighboring cities open gambling businesses, fewer people are traveling to Atlantic City for visits to casinoes. Since 2006 Casino revenue in Atlantic City has fallen from $5.6 billion to $2.86 billion. Experts believe this is the biggest crisis Atlantic City has faced in its 36 year relationship with gambling. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images)
- US-CASINOS-ATLANTIC CITYThe Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa is shown in Atlantic City, New Jersey, 24 May 2007. The hotel, which opened in 2003 and features 2000 rooms, touts itself as the first Las Vegas style resort in Atlantic City. Gambling has been legal in Atlantic City, one of the few such cities in the United States, since the first casino opened in 1978. (Photo credit should read SAUL LOEB/AFP/Getty Images)
- Revel ClosingA damaged letter "R" and a missing letter "E" are seen on The Boardwalk sign for the closing Revel Casino Hotel, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, in Atlantic City, N.J. The most spectacular and costly failure in Atlantic City's 36-year history of casino gambling began to play out Monday when the $2.4 billion Revel Casino Hotel emptied its hotel. Its casino will close early Tuesday morning. Revel is shutting down a little over two years after opening with high hopes of revitalizing Atlantic City's struggling gambling market. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
- Revel ClosingA sign is seen Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, next to lobby escalators saying Revel Casino Hotel in Atlantic City, N.J., will cease operations Sept. 6, 2014 at 6 a.m. The most spectacular and costly failure in Atlantic City's 36-year history of casino gambling began to play out Monday when the $2.4 billion Revel Casino Hotel emptied its hotel. Its casino will close early Tuesday morning. Revel is shutting down a little over two years after opening with high hopes of revitalizing Atlantic City's struggling gambling market. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
- APTOPIX Revel ClosingPeople walk on The Boardwalk past the closing Revel Casino Hotel, Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, in Atlantic City, N.J. The most spectacular and costly failure in Atlantic City's 36-year history of casino gambling began to play out Monday when the $2.4 billion Revel Casino Hotel emptied its hotel. Its casino will close early Tuesday morning. Revel is shutting down a little over two years after opening with high hopes of revitalizing Atlantic City's struggling gambling market. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
- Revel ClosingA lone man is playing slots at Revel Casino Hotel Monday, Sept. 1, 2014, in Atlantic City, N.J. The most spectacular and costly failure in Atlantic City's 36-year history of casino gambling began to play out Monday when the $2.4 billion Revel Casino Hotel emptied its hotel. Its casino will close early Tuesday morning. Revel is shutting down a little over two years after opening with high hopes of revitalizing Atlantic City's struggling gambling market. (AP Photo/Mel Evans)
- The boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USAThe boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA
By Eric Sandler
"First rule of politics, kiddo: Never let the truth get in the way of a good story." - Nucky Thompson, 'Boardwalk Empire'
Betrayal. That's what some are calling it. Over this past weekend, more than 5,000 people lost their jobs in Atlantic City as Showboat closed on Sunday, followed by Revel on Monday and Trump Plaza coming on September 16, according to the Associated Press.
Unprecedented. That's what others are calling it. Since the city was incorporated in 1854, it has year after year been considered a hub of opportunity, jobs, excitement, entertainment and most of all, revenue. And yet, as this year is witness, the gross gaming revenue has hit a downward slope it is unable to rise out of.
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UNLV http://gaming.unlv.edu/reports/ac_hist.pdf |
Atlantic City's gaming industry is experiencing a severe contraction -- though that is "exactly what the city needs to survive," say some experts. With too many competitors rising up and not growing the overall pie, profits were continually sliced smaller and smaller each of the past few years.
With the three most recent closures, Atlantic City's list of casinos shrinks to just a fraction of what it started with at the beginning of 2014 -- and with that maybe hope for a future according to some.
As the fate of the once-mighty city hangs in the balance, scroll through the pictures above to watch Atlantic City transform from its rise all the way through until today.
Do you think Atlantic City has a chance of revival? Comment below to share your thoughts.
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