The only brick-and-mortar casinos in New Jersey are located in Atlantic City, where nine remain in what once was the gambling Mecca of the East Coast (10 if you include Wild Wild West Casino, which is technically part of Bally’s).
Given the wide availability of online casinos in New Jersey, it might seem like there’s more. That’s because online gaming sites must have land-based partners, and each Atlantic City casino can have multiple “skins.”
Bally’s Atlantic City: 1900 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 340-2000
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa: 1 Borgata Way, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 317-1000
- Check Out Borgata’s Online Casino
Caesars at Atlantic City: 2100 Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 348-4411
- Check Out Caesar’s Online Casino
Golden Nugget Atlantic City: 600 Huron Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 441-2000
- Check Out Golden Nugget’s Online Casino
Hard Rock Atlantic City: 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 449-1000
- Check Out Hard Rock’s Online Casino
Harrah’s Atlantic City: 777 Harrah's Blvd, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 441-5000
- Check Out Harrah’s Online Casino
Ocean Casino Resort: 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 783-8000
Resorts Casino Hotel: 1133 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | 609) 340-6300
- Check Out Resorts’ Online Casino
Tropicana Casino Resort: 2831 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 | (609) 340-4000
- Check Out Tropicana’s Online Casino
The Wild Wild West Casino is officially part of Bally's but is often considered by the public to be a separate casino.
When Did Casinos in New Jersey Shut Down?
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy on March 15 ordered the shut down of all nine Atlantic City casinos in an attempt to stem the spread of coronavirus.
The shutdown was devastating for the brick-and-mortar casinos. In February, New Jersey casinos posted gross revenue from slots and table games of $218 million. That dropped to $85.5 million combined in March and zero for April and May.
The casinos will have lost nearly three months of potential income, with the likelihood of reduced cash flow for the foreseeable future as New Jersey promises to take a slow approach, especially given how hard coronavirus has hit the state and concerns of a second wave. There’s also no telling how quickly gamblers will return as well, especially given the robust online offerings in the state.
When Will Casinos in New Jersey Reopen?
New Jersey casinos began opening July 1 and are limited to 25% their normal capacity. Resorts, Tropicana, Ocean, Golden Nugget and Hard Rock were the first five to reopen, with three of the remaining four (Harrah's, Caesars and Bally's) opening July 2.
After the governor banned indoor dining, smoking and drinking at the Atlantic City casinos on June 29, Borgata opted to delay its reopening from its planned July 6 date.
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa allowed guests to the property Thursday. and the hotel will open to the general public at 10 a.m. Sunday.
New Jersey had planned a multistage reopening for the state. Stage 1, which was implemented mid-May, involved relaxed restrictions on low-risk activities if appropriately safeguarded.
Stage 2, where additional activities that can be easily safeguarded are permitted, began June 1. They call for expanded retail, indoor dining at significantly reduced capacity, museums, libraries and limited personal care services.
Stage 3 allowed for most activities but with significant safeguarding. Those included expanded dining, limited entertainment, expanded personal care, bars with limited capacity and critical in-office work.
The last step is the “new normal”: economic and social activity back to normal but with vigilance.
Expect some changes at the reopened casinos, including the installation of ultraviolet lights to disinfect high-traffic areas and a bipolar ionization system that purifies air — along with following all public health protocols, Resorts CEO and President Mark Giannantonio told The Press of Atlantic City.
If casinos follow what others around the nation are doing, expect guest temperature screenings, table capacity limits, plexiglass and spaced-out seating and slot games.
