Forty years ago, Atlantic City marked a critical turning point in its history. The city’s first casino, Resorts, opened its doors in May 1978, leading to a rebirth of America’s Playground that revitalized the economy and sent a shockwave throughout the seaside resort. Today we’ve arrived at another pivotal moment. Armed with positive economic indicators and a better understanding of our history and our community, we have an opportunity to redefine and secure Atlantic City’s legacy for years to come. From the start, the casino industry proved to be a game-changer for Atlantic City, with casinos generating more tax revenue, investment, jobs, economic prosperity and tourism than any other industry in Atlantic County and transforming Atlantic City into a vital economic engine for the Garden State. The industry enjoyed unprecedented growth for decades, reaching $5 billion in gaming revenue in 2006. Over its history, the industry paid more than $4 billion in real estate taxes and funded well over $1 billion in non-casino development projects, including $350 million in Atlantic City housing and neighborhood development.
