Walk down the Atlantic City Boardwalk today and you'll feel it. That specific mix of salt air, expensive perfume, and the faint, rhythmic ding-ding-ding of a slot machine hitting a bonus round. It’s iconic. But if you’re planning a trip and trying to figure out how many casinos are in Atlantic City NJ, you might get three different answers depending on who you ask.
People love to talk about the "glory days" or the "crash of 2014," which honestly makes it sound like a ghost town. It isn't. Not even close.
The Current Count: Nine and Holding
Right now, in 2026, there are exactly nine operating casino resorts in Atlantic City.
That number has been steady for a few years now. We haven't seen a new opening since the "Big Two"—Hard Rock and Ocean—stormed onto the scene back in 2018. If you’re counting on your fingers, here is the current roster:
- Bally’s Atlantic City (The classic spot at Park Place)
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (The undisputed heavyweight in the Marina)
- Caesars Atlantic City (Centrally located, Roman vibes)
- Golden Nugget Atlantic City (The Marina’s hidden gem for boaters)
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Where the Taj Mahal used to be)
- Harrah’s Resort (The one with the massive pool dome)
- Ocean Casino Resort (The glass giant at the north end)
- Resorts Casino Hotel (The first one to ever open back in '78)
- Tropicana Atlantic City (Basically its own indoor city at the south end)
Wait. You might see a huge building called Showboat right next to Ocean and think, "Hey, that’s a casino!"
Nope. It’s a hotel now. A massive one, sure, and it has the Island Waterpark and a giant arcade, but no gambling. Zero. They traded the poker tables for water slides a while back. It’s a common mistake tourists make when they're walking the boards and see the old signage.
👉 See also: Weather at Lake Charles Explained: Why It Is More Than Just Humidity
Why Does the Number Keep Changing?
Atlantic City’s history is a bit of a roller coaster. Back in the early 2000s, it felt like the city was untouchable. Then Pennsylvania and New York started opening their own spots, and the "monopoly" vanished.
In 2014, the city took a massive hit. Four casinos closed in a single year. It was brutal. People thought the city was finished when the $2.4 billion Revel (now Ocean) and the historic Showboat shut their doors, followed by Trump Plaza and the Atlantic Club.
But then things stabilized.
The industry realized it couldn't just be about gambling anymore. Honestly, if you just want to play a hand of blackjack, you can do that on your phone now. Atlantic City had to become a destination. That’s why you see Borgata spending millions on room renos and Caesars pouring cash into new celebrity chef restaurants like Hell’s Kitchen.
Location Matters: The Great Divide
When you’re looking at how many casinos are in Atlantic City NJ, you have to realize they aren't all in one clump. They’re split into two very different neighborhoods.
✨ Don't miss: Entry Into Dominican Republic: What Most People Get Wrong
The Boardwalk This is the classic AC experience. Six of the nine casinos live here. You’ve got Resorts, Hard Rock, and Ocean down at the "North End," and then Bally’s, Caesars, and Tropicana further down. You can walk between these. It’s great for bar-hopping or just catching some sun between sessions.
The Marina District
Then you have the "Big Three" off the water. Borgata, Harrah’s, and Golden Nugget. You aren't walking here from the Boardwalk—not unless you want a very long, very boring hike through some industrial-looking roads. Most people take the "Jitney" (those small green and white buses) or an Uber. The Marina feels more like a Vegas-style secluded resort vibe. It's quieter, sleeker, and usually a bit more upscale.
What the Future Holds for the Count
There’s always talk about a "tenth" casino. People keep looking at the old Atlantic Club site or wondering if someone will finally do something with the empty land near the Showboat.
But honestly? Nine seems to be the "sweet spot" for the market right now.
The big threat on the horizon isn't another casino in Jersey; it's the new licenses being handed out in New York City. With huge resorts planned for downstate NY, Atlantic City is feeling the heat again. But local experts like Jane Bokunewicz from the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute argue that AC has something the NY casinos won't: the ocean. You can’t replicate the Boardwalk vibe in a parking lot in Queens.
🔗 Read more: Novotel Perth Adelaide Terrace: What Most People Get Wrong
Making the Most of the Nine
If you're heading down soon, don't try to see all nine in one day. You'll just end up with sore feet and a dead phone.
Pick a "hub." If you want nightlife and high energy, the North End (Ocean/Hard Rock) is the place to be. If you want a more old-school, central AC feel, stick to Caesars and Bally’s. And if you’re a "stay in the hotel all weekend" type of person, Borgata or Harrah’s in the Marina are your best bets.
Actionable Steps for Your Visit:
- Check the Rewards: Almost all nine casinos belong to different loyalty programs (Caesars Rewards, MGM Rewards, etc.). If you already have a card from a casino in another state, check if it works here before you go.
- Use the Jitney: Don't drive between the Boardwalk and the Marina. It’s $2.50 (usually) and runs 24/7. It's the most "local" way to get around.
- Look Beyond the Floor: Since the city shifted to "entertainment first," the best experiences are often the shows or the spas. The Qua Baths at Caesars or the pool at Harrah’s are worth the trip even if you never touch a slot machine.
Atlantic City isn't the gambling monopoly it was in 1980, but nine solid casinos offer more than enough variety for any weekend warrior. Just remember to count the buildings with "Casino" actually on the door—don't let the old hotels fool you.