When Did Resorts Casino Open in Atlantic City?

The Resorts Casino Hotel opened on May 26, 1978, as the first American casino hotel outside of Nevada. The $100 million project was built on the Boardwalk by casino developer and former electrical engineer Jay Sarno. He originally wanted to build a casino in Atlantic City in 1975 but was not able to get the necessary approvals from the state. Construction on Resorts International began in 1977.

The casino hotel features two towers, the older 17-story Ambassador Tower and the 27-story Ocean Tower, which opened in 1981. The property also includes a half-mile long Boardwalk, an indoor/outdoor swimming pool, shops, restaurants, and a spa.

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In its first year of operation, Resorts International earned $42 million in gambling revenue. By 1984, it was the highest grossing casino in Atlantic City with gaming revenue of $205 million. The company went public in 1986 and was acquired by Merv Griffin in 1995.

PRO TIP:Atlantic City’s Resorts Casino opened on May 26, 1978. It was the first legal casino to open in Atlantic City and set the stage for the region’s long-standing reputation as a premier gaming destination.

In 2011, Resorts International was sold to Morgan Stanley for $110 million and then to investment firm Landry’s Inc. for $131 million.

Today, Resorts Casino Hotel is one of the oldest and most iconic casinos in Atlantic City. It is also one of the most successful, with gaming revenue of $257 million in 2018.

The property is currently owned by Tilman Fertitta’s Landry’s Inc., which also owns Golden Nugget Hotels & Casinos.