With casino resorts popping up in neighboring states, Atlantic City is losing its gambling prowess on the East Coast. Once noted as the “Las Vegas” of the eastern part of the country, the city had a monopoly on casino-type gaming for folks along the Atlantic coast.
However, a combination of tribal and other casino resorts, game rooms and racetrack casinos is cutting into Atlantic City’s bottom line. In Maryland, Massachusetts and Pennsylvania alone, there are 55 gambling establishments that offer head-on competition.
Because of the availability of land, many tribal casino resorts are able to offer luxury at a scale that is impossible in congested Atlantic City. The local casinos, though, are not giving up, and they have been making improvements to stay competitive. The city is also helping by fixing up the boardwalk.
Atlantic City will try to make a comeback this year as it again hosts the Miss America pageant, which moved to Las Vegas back in 2006. Visitors will find a greater variety of restaurants, clubs and other nightlife venues than ever before. Some new additions include beach volleyball courts and a nighttime light show at the Boardwalk Hall.