The Boardwalk looks different than it did in the neon-soaked 80s, but it's alive. People keep asking if the city is dying, but the truth is, the Atlantic City casinos still open are actually doing okay—better than okay, if you look at the recent gaming revenue reports from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. You’ve probably heard the rumors about closures. Yes, the Claridge is just a hotel now, and the Atlantic Club is a shell, but the nine remaining giants are holding the line.
Honestly? It's kind of impressive.
If you’re planning a trip, you aren't looking for a history lesson on the Sands or the Taj Mahal. You want to know where the lights are on, where the slots are loose, and where you can actually get a decent steak without a three-hour wait.
The Nine Survivors Standing Tall
There are exactly nine licensed casino resorts operating in Atlantic City right now. No more, no less.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa remains the undisputed heavyweight champion of the Marina District. It’s the gold standard for a reason. While the Boardwalk has that gritty, classic charm, Borgata feels like a slice of Vegas dropped into the Jersey marshlands. MGM Resorts International keeps pouring money into this place because it works. The poker room is still the best in the state, period. If you’re a serious player, you aren't going anywhere else.
Then you have the Boardwalk staples. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City and Ocean Casino Resort are the "new" kids on the block, though they both live in repurposed buildings (the old Taj and Revel, respectively). Hard Rock leans heavily into the memorabilia and live music vibe, which honestly saved that end of the Boardwalk. It brought energy back to a spot that felt like a graveyard for a few years.
Ocean is... massive. It’s almost too big. The floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic are its best feature. You can be at a blackjack table and actually see the ocean, which is surprisingly rare in this town. Most casinos want you to forget the outside world exists. Ocean lets the light in.
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Why Some Atlantic City Casinos Still Open Feel Different
Walk into Bally’s and then walk into Caesars. They’re right next to each other, but the vibe shift is wild.
Caesars is leaning into the "luxury" rebranding, especially with the recent millions spent on room renovations and the Nobu integration. It feels corporate, polished, and expensive. Bally’s, on the other hand, went through a period of neglect before being bought by Bally’s Corporation (formerly Twin River Worldwide Holdings). They’ve done a lot of work to modernize the place—the new Carousel Bar that actually spins is a gimmick, but it’s a fun one.
Then there’s Resorts Casino Hotel. It was the first one to open in 1978. It feels like it. But in a good way? It has a DraftKings Sportsbook that is usually packed, and the Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville connection gives it a permanent "vacation mode" feel that some of the more high-end spots lack. It’s accessible. You don't feel like you need a tuxedo to walk through the lobby.
Harrah’s Resort and Golden Nugget round out the Marina District. Harrah’s is famous for The Pool—a giant glass dome that stays 82 degrees year-round. It’s a literal tropical oasis in the middle of a Jersey winter. Golden Nugget is smaller, more intimate, and attracts a very loyal crowd of regulars. They have the best outdoor deck for drinks when the weather behaves.
The Struggle of the Mid-Tier
Tropicana and Wild Wild West (which is technically part of Caesars now) occupy a strange middle ground. Tropicana is sprawling. It’s a maze. "The Quarter" at Tropicana is still one of the best spots for non-gamblers because of the shopping and dining, but the casino floor itself can feel a bit dated in sections.
Here is the thing people don't tell you about the Atlantic City casinos still open: the competition from North Jersey and Pennsylvania is brutal. For a long time, Atlantic City had a monopoly on the East Coast. That’s gone. Now, these nine properties have to fight for every single player. That’s why you’re seeing such a massive push into online gaming and sports betting.
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NJ is a powerhouse for iGaming. Sometimes, the casinos make more money from people playing on their phones in a Starbucks in Newark than they do from the people sitting at their physical slot machines. It’s a weird reality of the 2026 gaming landscape.
Don't Get Fooled by the "Ghost" Buildings
When you drive into town, you’ll see buildings that look like casinos but aren't.
- The Showboat: It’s a massive hotel and features the "Island Waterpark," but it has no gambling. It’s strictly family-friendly now.
- The Claridge: Once a famous casino, it’s now a standalone hotel. Great rooftop bar, though.
- The Atlantic Club: Still sitting there, empty, at the end of the Boardwalk. It’s a literal eyesore and a reminder of the 2014-2016 collapse when four casinos closed in rapid succession.
People see these and think the whole town is shuttered. It isn't. The nine that are left have consolidated the market. They are leaner, meaner, and generally more profitable than the dozen-plus that used to exist.
The Safety and "Vibe" Factor
Let’s be real for a second. Atlantic City has a reputation.
If you stay on the Boardwalk or in the Marina, you’re fine. The Atlantic City casinos still open have massive security teams. But the moment you walk two blocks inland, the scenery changes fast. It’s a city of deep contrasts. You have billion-dollar towers overlooking neighborhoods that are struggling.
The most successful visitors are the ones who know how to navigate this. Use the Jitney—those tiny green buses. They are cheap, they run constantly, and they keep you away from the more questionable walks between the Marina and the Boardwalk.
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A Quick Cheat Sheet for Where to Go:
- Best for Foodies: Borgata (Old Homestead, Izakaya) or Caesars (Nobu, Hell's Kitchen).
- Best for Young Crowds: Hard Rock or Ocean. The nightlife at HQ2 (Ocean) is top-tier.
- Best for Families: Showboat (for the waterpark) even though it's not a casino, or Tropicana.
- Best for Low Stakes: Resorts or Bally’s. You can usually find lower minimums on table games here during off-peak hours.
What Most People Get Wrong About AC
The biggest misconception is that Atlantic City is a summer-only destination.
Winter in AC is actually kind of great if you aren't looking to tan. The room rates at the Atlantic City casinos still open drop significantly. You can score a room at Harrah’s or Ocean for a fraction of the July price. The casinos are climate-controlled, the restaurants are less crowded, and the spa at Borgata is just as good when it’s snowing outside.
Another mistake? Thinking you can't have fun without gambling. The comedy clubs, the concert lineups at Hard Rock Live, and the high-end dining have turned the city into a weekend getaway spot that just happens to have slot machines.
Actionable Steps for Your Next Visit
If you're heading down soon, don't just wing it. The city rewards people who plan a little bit.
- Check the Tier Matches: If you have status at a casino in Vegas or Pennsylvania, many Atlantic City casinos still open will match it. Hard Rock and Ocean are famous for aggressive tier-matching promos to lure people away from MGM (Borgata) or Caesars. This can get you free rooms or dining credits immediately.
- Download the Apps: Most of these properties use apps for everything now. You can check in, digital key your door, and track your "comps" (complimentary points) in real-time.
- Book Dining Early: On Friday and Saturday nights, the good restaurants at Borgata and Ocean fill up weeks in advance. Don't expect to walk into Vic & Anthony's or Carmine's at 7:00 PM without a reservation.
- Watch the "Resort Fees": Almost every open casino charges them. They usually run between $25 and $40 per night. Factor that into your budget so you aren't annoyed at checkout.
- Park Once: If you’re a rewards member, parking is often free or discounted. If not, pick a central spot like Caesars or the Wave Parking Garage and use the Jitney to move between properties.
The nine casinos currently operating represent a stabilized version of Atlantic City. The "closing" era seems to be over for now. These properties have found their niches—whether it's the rock-and-roll energy of Hard Rock or the refined luxury of the Marina District. They aren't just open; they're evolving. If you haven't been in five years, the landscape will surprise you. It’s cleaner, the food is better, and the "new" properties have finally hit their stride.