Atlantic City Casinos Give Back to the Community This Holiday Season

From donations to hands-on service, casino teams step up for neighbors during the Season of Giving

 

Atlantic City, NJ – This holiday season, the Atlantic City casino industry is once again stepping up for the community, supporting local organizations through charitable donations, volunteer efforts, fundraising partnerships, and in-kind contributions. Across the city and surrounding region, casinos are working with a wide range of nonprofit and civic groups at the local, state, and national levels to help address critical needs such as food insecurity, homelessness, youth development, education, family services, and health and wellness.

“Atlantic City is our home, and we are committed to showing up for our neighbors during the holidays and throughout the year,” said Mark Giannantonio, president, Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ). “The Atlantic City casino industry believes in supporting a culture of giving, reaffirming our local roots and deep investment in our community. Philanthropy remains a priority, and we’re grateful for our team members who consistently devote their time and resources to strengthen the community every day.”

Atlantic City casinos demonstrated a powerful commitment to community support this year through major donations, volunteerism, and holiday giving, including:

BALLY’S ATLANTIC CITY

  • Salvation Army: On November 26, Bally’s C.R.E.W. Team partnered with the Salvation Army to serve a special Thanksgiving meal to local community members in need.
  • ACCC Turkey Donation: On November 20, Bally’s Atlantic City donated 100 turkeys to Atlantic City Community College to support local students and families during the holiday season.
  • Ventnor Food Pantry: Bally’s volunteers spent November 19 supporting the Ventnor Food Pantry, helping sort, pack, and distribute food for local families.
  • Toys for Tots: Hosted a Toys for Tots donation event at The Yard on December 5, collecting gifts to support children and families in our community.
  • Bally’s Blood Drive: Hosting a blood drive on January 14 from 12–5 PM, with all donors automatically entered for a chance to win a trip for two to the Big Game, including travel, hotel, a $1,000 gift card, and pregame activities.

BORGATA HOTEL & CASINO ATLANTIC CITY

Community Food Bank of New Jersey 

  • Borgata made a $25,000 donation to support CFBNJ’s work addressing food insecurity across New Jersey.
  • Borgata donated 200 turkeys to the Community Food Bank of New Jersey to help ensure local families can enjoy a warm holiday meal.

 Hope for the Holidays

  • Borgata’s Professional Women’s Group collected 500 sets of new hats and gloves for men, women and teens. These items will be distributed at Atlantic City’s Annual “Hope for the Holidays” event hosted by Angels in Motion.

Jewish Family Service Mobile Pantry 

  • Borgata is proud to support the launch of Jewish Family Service of Atlantic & Cape May Counties‘ (JFS) new Mobile Pantry, bringing food and essential resources directly to the community in Atlantic City and surrounding areas through a $100,000 donation. As part of MGM Resorts International’s ongoing commitment to hunger relief, Borgata’s donation helps JFS continue their vital work. The Mobile Pantry meets people where they are, delivering more than meals; it provides hope, dignity, and support to those who need it most.

Shoes That Fit

  • Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, on behalf of MGM Resorts International, awarded Shoes That Fit a $15,000 grant, which provided brand new sneakers to 530 students at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. School Complex. Borgata Team Members visited the school to distribute the shoes and spend time with the students.

Supporting Stockton’s Upcoming MLK Day

  • Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is proud to support Stockton University’s Annual MLK Day of Service. This year, we donated 300 hygiene kits and a tote of t-shirts to help fuel a day of meaningful community impact across the Galloway and Atlantic City campuses, as well as satellite sites like Hammonton’s Kramer Hall. Our donated t-shirts will also be upcycled into T-Totes for food assistance programs and handmade dog and cat toys for local animal shelters.

CAESARS ENTERTAINMENT’S ATLANTIC CITY RESORTS

  • Partnered with Texas Avenue School to provide 28 whole turkeys, Our Lady Star of the Sea to provide Thanksgiving lunch for 125 guests and The Salvation Army to serve Thanksgiving dinner for over 300 individuals experiencing homelessness in the community.
  • Partnered with Community FoodBank of New Jersey – Southern Branch to donate 200 turkeys to support families in the community this holiday season.
  • Partnered with the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City to provide Thanksgiving lunch for 400 individuals. Included nearly 600 pounds of food such as turkey, cornbread stuffing, mashed potatoes, mixed vegetables, cranberry sauce and turkey gravy.
  • This year, Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, and Tropicana Atlantic City donated over $315,000 to local organizations through our regional and corporate giving initiatives, while also offering boots-on-the-ground assistance through our Team Member volunteer efforts.
  • As part of the Gifts of Light program, Team Members partnered with local senior homes for the below initiatives. The program’s objective is to make sure every elder living in long-term care feels the magic of the holiday season.
    • Host Holiday Cheer Karaoke at Villa Raffaella Assisted Living in Pleasantville on December 11.
    • On December 19, Team Members will deliver gifts for the 33 residents of Villa Raffaella Assisted Living and a special gift for the center that all residents can enjoy together.
    • This month, Team Members will also deliver gifts for residents of Complete Care in Cape May Court House and a meaningful gift for the center to enhance resident life.
  • Partnered with Community FoodBank of New Jersey – Southern Branch to collect donations outside of ACME stores, gathered over 2 pallets of dry food and 25 frozen turkeys.
  • This month, Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City Resorts – Caesars, Harrah’s Resort, and Tropicana will deliver toys for the Marine Corps Toys for Tots program. 

GOLDEN NUGGET ATLANTIC CITY

  • ARC of Atlantic County: Golden Nugget is proud to have our AGM and VP of Resort Operations serve as a board member for the ARC of Atlantic County. ARC provides a vast array of services to members of our community so they can work, play, and live their life to the fullest. Golden Nugget provides numerous sponsorships to their events throughout the year as well as serve as the host to a major fundraiser during the summer.
  • Pinktober: During the month of October, Golden Nugget ran the Men Wear Pink Campaign and Pink Drink Campaign, to help raise funds and awareness for Breast Cancer Research. All proceeds benefited the American Cancer Society.
  • Boys & Girls Club: Golden Nugget, as a local business, believes in helping to positively shape the lives of the younger generations here in our own community. Since 1970, Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City has provided thousands of youths with academic support, career pathways, and a safe space to thrive. Our innovative programs in STEAM, Hospitality, and leadership help build a brighter future for our members.
  • Community Food Bank: Serving as a champion for addressing root causes of hunger, delivering neighbor-centric solutions, and fostering collaborative partnerships across all sectors of society for New Jersey. Golden Nugget is proud to help provide meals for those in need in our communities. During the Season of Giving, Golden Nugget additionally donated 200 turkeys to ensure our families could gather together this Thanksgiving.
  • CASA: Golden Nugget’s annual donation to CASA is most important as we hope to help shape the leaders of our community through love, family and education. CASA for Children recruits, trains, and supports citizen-volunteers who advocate on behalf of children in our community who are in foster care. A child with a CASA volunteer is: Twice as likely to be adopted, then to linger in long-term foster care, half as likely to re-enter the foster care system, more likely to have a plan for finding a permanent home, and more likely to have better educational achievement
  • CODI: Career Opportunity Development, Inc: As a company we know, our differences are the one thing we all have in common. In the spirit of giving, Golden Nugget has prepared and served a holiday feast for all individuals involved with CODI! Highlighting CODI’s Vision Statement all year long, but especially this time of year. People of diverse backgrounds and experiences work together to foster inclusive communities where differently abled individuals can work or volunteer, live in a safe and comfortable home, recognize their value and worth, and feel empowered to make a positive impact.
  • HOPE Foundation: Ease financial burden and help lift the spirits of those in need. A mission statement that Golden Nugget truly believes in which is why we have provided sponsorship to the Hope Foundation’s Holiday Benefit to help provide assistance to those within our community who need it most.
  • Employee Recognition: In honor of the holidays Golden Nugget recognizes all of our hard-working employees with Employee Appreciation Day. Employee Appreciation Day is filled with Employee Shopping, a lavish spread provided by our Culinary Team and Bake Shop, and topped off with Our Executive Team personally thanking each employee for their dedication all year long by awarding them with a Holiday Gift Card.

Golden Nugget partners with the following companies during the Season of Giving and throughout the year:

  • Shore Medical Center
  • AtlantiCare Medical Center

HARD ROCK HOTEL & CASINO ATLANTIC CITY

Hard Rock Atlantic City celebrated National Giving Month by launching the resort’s “12 Days of Giving” campaign, through which funds, gifts and services will be donated to 12 local organizations dedicated to strengthening the community. Supporting our core mission to help aid those who are homeless, those who face food insecurities, and to those who are seeking mental health issues, we strive to help the members of our community. In the spirit of giving, Hard Rock Atlantic City and our generous customers for the Boardwalk 1000 Foundation have donated over one million dollars in 2025 to local charities, supporting Hard Rock’s mottos to Take Time To Be Kind, All Is One, Love All Serve All and Save the Planet.

  • 12/2 Hard Rock Atlantic City supported National Day of Giving with the first of their annual 12 Days of Giving events! Hard Rock partnered with Bob Kelly, Founder of Kelly’s Kidz to donate a sleigh full of toys to St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children. These toys will be distributed to children & families being treated at the hospital this holiday season. Toys filled the lobby of the hospital alongside Santa and Mrs. Claus, Hard Rock Atlantic City President George Goldhoff, St. Christopher’s Hospital staff and Hard Rock team members.
  • 12/3 Hard Rock’s Team Members Decked the Halls for Court Appointed Special Advocates (CASA) to support children of Atlantic, Cape May, and Camden Counties at Boardwalk Hall. Hard Rock’s team curated the beautiful decorations for their entry into the Annual Deck the Hall holiday tree contest to benefit CASA and local children in foster care. A $1,000 donation was provided by the Boardwalk 1000 Foundation, funded by the guests of Hard Rock Atlantic City.
  • 12/4 Hard Rock’s Boardwalk 1000 Foundation and our generous customers donated $5,000 to the CFBNJ during the 12 Days of Giving. President George Goldhoff and General Manager Michael Sampson presented the donation to Torrina Bennett-Michael, Executive Director at the CFBNJ, to help support families this season facing difficult times. Additionally, Hard Rock and the Boardwalk 1000 Foundation donated $10,000, plus 200 turkeys to ensure local families could gather this Thanksgiving.
  • 12/9 Hard Rock was proud to be a major sponsor for The ARC of Atlantic County’s Holiday Partners Program. The ARC supports children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities and their families, who would otherwise go without. The generosity of Hard Rock team members, who donated gifts for these individuals, will help to brighten spirits and truly make a difference for so many this holiday season.
  • 12/10 Hard Rock Atlantic City & the Boardwalk 1000 Foundation through our generous customers donated $5,000 to support the Atlantic City Rescue Mission, providing hot meals for the hungry and emergency shelter for the homeless, as part of our 12 Days of Giving.
  • 12/11 Hard Rock continued their 12 Days of Giving on Thursday, December 11th and supported the Atlantic County Toys for Kids Program with a toy donation. The program has been distributing toys to children in the area for 40 years and Hard Rock’s merry band of elves is helping to provide families a little extra cheer for the holiday season!
  • 12/11 Live to Serve: Hard Rock proudly partnered with Jay Kennedy and Live to Serve. This local non-profit organization cares for the needs of single mothers, youths, veterans, and seniors. Their mission is to serve the needs of individuals, and especially during the holiday season help bring some joy to those families in need. Love All – Serve all.
  • 12/12 Hard Rock wrapped the Covenant House in warmth and love this holiday season. This donation by Hard Rock will help youth staying at the Covenant House in Atlantic City by donating all new bedding, pillows, and comforters. This special donation will help young adults alone this holiday season feel more at home while settling in their new residence.
  • 12/12 Happy Hanukkah! Hard Rock’s Boardwalk 1000 Foundation and our generous customers donated $5,000 to Jewish Family Services. Photographed next to Hard Rock’s beautiful Menorah, JFS continues to shine the light in our community by providing social services and programs regardless of race, religion, or ethnicity. JFS will use these funds to assist with food, housing, and job-related insecurities for families, children, adults, and seniors in Atlantic County. We celebrate their commitment as they embody the spirit of Hard Rock. All Is One.
  • 12/13 Laddies’ Legacy: Hard Rock donated $1,000 to help families in our community by providing financial assistance for unexpected veterinary costs to go to treatment to keep animals alive.
  • 12/13 Wreaths Across America Day: This annual day or wreath laying is a time-honored tradition that uses wreaths to symbolize gratitude, service, and eternal life, with each wreath being placed and each name spoken, serving as a tangible reminder that Veterans are never forgotten. Hard Rock has donated $1,000 to support this effort in Atlantic County, ensuring local Veterans’ lives are honored during the holiday season.
  • 12/20 Atlantic City Professional Firefighters and FMBA Local 8 will partner with Hard Rock to host the annual toy giveaway for children of Atlantic City. Donated gifts will be piled high for children to receive at this very special event, complete with cookies, cocoa and Santa Clause, as part of the 12 Days of Giving!

OCEAN CASINO RESORT

Ocean Casino Resort is embracing the spirit of generosity through Ocean Cares’ “Season of Giving,” an annual initiative dedicated to uplifting and supporting those most in need throughout Atlantic City and the greater South Jersey community during the months of November and December.

Ocean launched its Season of Giving this month by celebrating local families, beginning with a special event with the South Jersey Field of Dreams on November 21. Thirteen families were welcomed to Santa’s Hideaway Adventure for festive photos and personalized gifts. Other giving initiatives this month will include:

  • Serving Thanksgiving lunch at Adelaide’s Place and donating holiday food essentials for No1Hungry in Egg Harbor City.
  • Providing 200 turkeys to the Community FoodBank of New Jersey (with the Casino Association of New Jersey) and donating $12,000 to be directed to the FoodBank’s emergency response fund.
  • Offering ShopRite gift cards to Atlantic Cape Community College students visiting the on-campus food pantry.
  • Contributing $12,000 to Sister Jean’s Kitchen and Pantry to purchase proteins for the month of November, which will be distributed to 1,000 families visiting the pantry weekly and used to prepare meals in the kitchen to serve 200 daily meals.

In December, Ocean continues its community giving efforts through a variety of volunteer projects and donation drives, including:

  • Offering two charitable holiday ornaments: the Ocean Cares Teal Globe Ornament, with proceeds benefiting the Boys and Girls Club of Atlantic City, and the Ocean x MudGirls Ceramic Ornament, created with Atlantic City–based MudGirls to support their mission of empowering disadvantaged women through ceramic arts. Both ornaments are available at select Ocean outlets and online at shopoceanac.com.
  • Delivering stuffed bear and blanket bundles to patients in AtlantiCare’s Pediatric Unit.
  • Supporting The Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program and hosting craft and cookie-baking activities for local families and youth organizations.
  • Organizing toy, winter accessories, and blessing bag drives to benefit Angels in Motion and others in need.
  • Complementing efforts with direct donations to additional nonprofit organizations serving the Atlantic City area, including AC Rescue Mission, Avanzar, Atlantic County Toys for Kids, Arc of Atlantic County, St. Joseph’s Shelter, and CASA.

The Season of Giving marks the culmination of Ocean Casino Resort’s ongoing community outreach and charitable work throughout the year. In 2025, Ocean contributed more than $239,000 in monetary donations through its Ocean Cares philanthropic initiative. Along with Season of Giving, Ocean’s total giving is expected to exceed $280,000 by year’s end.

In addition to financial giving, the resort provided non-monetary donations such as food, cots and essential supplies to local homeless shelters, community facilities and schools. Ocean team members also dedicated over 750 volunteer hours through its corporate social responsibility programs and awarded five $1,000 scholarships to Atlantic County high school students.

RESORTS CASINO HOTEL

Resorts Casino Hotel remains dedicated to uplifting the community with many charitable efforts. This past year we donated more than $175,000 to numerous local and national organizations. Recipients of the sponsorships and donations include: American Cancer Society, Atlantic City Police Foundation, American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, CASA, Cooper Hospital Foundation, Community Food Bank of Southern NJ, Hope Exists, Miss’d America Pageant, Stockton University, and the Tara Miller Foundation. Resorts maintains a strong commitment to community involvement, supporting many other local charities and non-profits.

  • Every year Resorts Casino Hotel raises money for the Sephardic Community Center (SCC) in Brooklyn. The SCC is a nationally recognized, dynamic health and social services agency that serves thousands of clients each year.
  • Resorts Casino Hotel demonstrates its commitment to the fight against breast cancer by participating annually in the “Men Wear Pink Campaign” every October. This year, the campaign was championed by Kevin Duffey, Vice President of Administration. His leadership helped the team raise nearly $11,000 for Breast Cancer Awareness initiatives.
  • The Out of the Darkness Walk supports research, advocacy, education, and programs for suicide prevention. Resorts generated significant support for the cause, donating over $12,000, with 15 team members personally participating in the awareness walk.
  • Each year Resorts supports The Red-Hot Gala benefiting the Cooper Hospital Foundation with a $15,000 donation.
  • Resorts Casino Hotel demonstrates an ongoing commitment to addressing food insecurity within its local community by providing annual support to the Community Foodbank of Southern New Jersey. We donated $5,000 to the Night of 300,000 meals in the spring. Last month team members volunteered their time to help with a pop-up food pantry and we donated turkeys for the holiday season.
  • Empowering the next generation in Atlantic City! Resorts proudly donated $30,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City this past March. This contribution supports vital programs that provide mentorship, education, and opportunities for local youth.

Our annual holiday giving campaign focuses on supporting immediate local needs with our team members and within the community.

  • Resorts is collecting slot cash voucher donations for the Atlantic City Salvation Army this holiday season. The chapter offers both church and social services to those in need who live in Atlantic City, Brigantine, Longport, Margate City and Ventnor.
  • Resorts has a long-standing holiday tradition called Operation Christmas Spirit. In this program, various departments “adopt” fellow team members who are experiencing financial difficulties and help make their season brighter by purchasing gifts for their children from their holiday wish lists. This year, we’re helping 16 team members with a total of 28 children adopted.
  • Resorts sponsors the Annual Polar Bear Plunge, “Freezin’ for a Reason” every New Year’s Day. Proceeds from the event raise funds for the Cancer Support Community at Gilda’s Club. Resorts also coordinates event branded long sleeve tee shirts that are sold to raise additional funds.