You’re standing on the Boardwalk, the salt air is hitting your face, and the neon lights are starting to flicker on. It’s a vibe. But if you’re trying to count the buildings and figure out how many casinos are in atlantic city, you might actually get a different answer depending on who you ask or what year they last visited.
Honestly, the "glory days" of having a dozen plus options are in the rearview mirror, but the scene right now is arguably more stable than it’s been in a decade.
The Magic Number: Nine
Let’s get straight to it. There are nine major casino resorts currently operating in Atlantic City.
No more, no less.
If you see an old travel blog mentioning the Taj Mahal or the Sands, those are long gone (or rebranded). Today’s lineup is a mix of the old guard that survived the 2014-2016 "casino apocalypse" and some shiny new players that took over the bones of fallen giants.
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The current roster includes:
- Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa (The undisputed heavyweight champion of revenue).
- Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (Formerly the Taj Mahal).
- Ocean Casino Resort (The massive glass tower that used to be Revel).
- Harrah’s Resort.
- Caesars Atlantic City.
- Tropicana Atlantic City.
- Bally’s Atlantic City.
- Resorts Casino Hotel (The one that started it all back in '78).
- Golden Nugget.
Why the Number of Casinos in Atlantic City Always Feels Like It’s Shifting
It’s kinda confusing because "casinos" and "hotels" aren't always the same thing here. Take the Showboat, for example. You’ll see it right there on the Boardwalk, looking every bit like a casino. It’s huge. It has a giant arcade and a massive indoor waterpark now. But does it have a casino floor? Nope. It went non-gaming years ago.
Then you have the Wild Wild West. Most people think it’s its own casino, but it’s actually a gaming hall attached to Caesars. If you’re walking through, it feels like a separate world with its own stage and mountain-themed decor, but legally and operationally, it’s just part of the Caesars license.
The Survival of the Fittest
Around 2014, the city took a massive hit. Four casinos closed in a single year. It was a ghost town vibe for a minute. But since then, the industry has consolidated. The nine that are left aren't just surviving; they’re actually putting up record-breaking total gaming numbers.
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Though, there's a catch.
While the physical buildings are doing okay, a huge chunk of that money is coming from people sitting on their couches playing on their phones. Online gaming and sports betting have basically saved Atlantic City’s skin. In 2025, we saw months where internet gaming revenue actually rivaled or beat the "brick-and-mortar" win.
Does Nine Feel Like Enough?
If you’re visiting, nine is plenty. Each one has a distinct personality.
- Borgata is where you go if you want that Vegas-style "everything is expensive and beautiful" feel. It’s in the Marina District, away from the Boardwalk, so it feels like its own island.
- Hard Rock is loud. It’s all about the music memorabilia and the vibe. It’s currently the second-biggest earner in the city.
- Ocean is arguably the most beautiful building. It’s right on the north end of the Boardwalk and has views that make you forget you're in New Jersey.
The "Shadow" Casinos: Online and Beyond
When we talk about how many casinos are in atlantic city, we have to mention the digital side. Every physical casino in AC has "partners." This means while there are only nine physical buildings you can walk into, there are dozens of "casinos" operating under those licenses online.
If you’re using an app like FanDuel or DraftKings in NJ, they are tethered to a physical AC casino. Golden Nugget, for instance, might not be the biggest building on the water, but its online presence is a juggernaut.
What’s Coming in 2026?
There’s a bit of a "wait and see" mood right now. New York is looking to open three full-scale casinos in the downstate area. That’s scary for Atlantic City. Experts like Jane Bokunewicz from Stockton University have pointed out that AC has to keep reinventing itself to stay relevant.
We’re seeing more "non-gaming" attractions. The Island Waterpark at Showboat was just the start. Most of the nine casinos are dumping millions into room renovations and new celebrity-chef restaurants because they know they can’t just rely on slot machines anymore.
Real Talk on the Current Scene
If you're planning a trip, don't worry about the quantity. Nine is a solid number. It’s enough to give you variety without making the city feel like a series of empty warehouses.
Honestly, the biggest mistake people make is staying in one spot. If you're at the Marina (Borgata, Harrah's, Golden Nugget), take the jitney to the Boardwalk. If you're on the Boardwalk, walk from Ocean all the way down to Tropicana. It’s a long hike—roughly two miles—but you’ll see the whole spectrum of AC.
Quick Survival Tips for the AC Casino Scene:
- Parking is a racket. If you pay at one Caesars-owned property (Harrah’s, Caesars, Trop), your receipt usually gets you into the others for free that same day. Check the current rewards rules, they change, but it's a lifesaver.
- The Boardwalk is big. Don't try to walk the whole thing in flip-flops.
- The Marina is "nicer," but the Boardwalk is "real." If you want the classic AC experience, stay on the boards. If you want to hide from the world in luxury, go to the Marina.
Next Steps for Your Trip:
Check the current status of the Total Rewards or MGM Rewards programs before you go. Since many of these nine casinos are owned by the same parent companies, your play at one can get you free rooms at another. Specifically, look at the "tier match" promos often running at Ocean or Hard Rock—they frequently give free stays to people who have high status at competing properties. Set a budget, grab a slice of Tony’s Baltimore Grill pizza, and enjoy the salt air.