It’s happening at Atlantic City Hotels and Casinos

Atlantic City, located in New Jersey, is famous for its boardwalk, casino gambling rooms, lovely beaches, shopping centers, retail shops, and breath-taking views of the Atlantic Ocean. For these things, it is no wonder why people cannot stop visiting and pampering themselves at resorts to enjoy the pleasure this city provides. It home to three large malls for tourists, with various types of convenient transportation and the second best destination of professional gamblers.

Atlantic City is one of the most visited cities in the entire U.S. for entertainment and business purposes. Although the global recession has greatly affected the economy of Atlantic City in some ways, the place is still kicking and thriving. Although 11 of the city’s finest casinos have been experiencing an economic failure which includes Donald Trump’s Taj Mahal Casino & Resort and the Tropicana Casino & Resort, the country’s number two gambling destination is rising not due to bankruptcy but for continuous competitive business production.
Yes, you can still find all the extraordinary gambling venues. You can still indulge in luxury hotel rooms, soak in the sunset-view spas, have a taste of exclusive restaurants and the non-stop entertaining theater shows. People are obviously visible walking around the stylish walls and on brilliant floors of the casinos. Employees are busy taking care of luggage and stuff of their customers. Elite women and tuxedo dressed men are edging on hot seats of the casino.  Atlantic City has many delightful surprises to give its visitors.

One of the vice presidents of an extravagant hotel-casino said that there are more visitors and newcomers arriving each day. The number of tickets had enormously increased for viewing  some treasured music of great legends and that’s another reason why there are more shows produced throughout the city which shows that tourism is on the rise in Atlantic city.

Summer is the most popular get-away time for gamblers plus new players and site seers, however many of them visit throughout the entire year as well. During summer, live music shows appeal to many people. Who would ignore American Idols and worldly known pop stars like Kris Allen, Jimmy Buffet, Madonna, and more that are entertaining just a few feet away from your seat? Of course, you will have to run and get the VIP seat area. This is an ideal long weekend getaway destination that will amaze any individual. With so much to do and see it is a place you will keep you returning when you want to escape, relax and have fun.

Resorts, whatever the season, are still flooded by thousands of tourists, and you will find that the Hawaiian and Polynesian services are out of this world. One difference though is that the entertainment has changed in casino rooms. It is now held in a lovely area, which is known as the Boardwalk Hall.

There are several entertaining shows and offers, that are expected to come out this 2010. Bon Jovi is possibly going to come back for tour of his new released CD last November 2008. More new live entertainment shows will be produced for your pleasure. Planned new modernized facilities are already under construction with many new up and coming sites to see. In short, people are very much looking forward to the newly revived delights of Atlantic City. Book a getaway to see for yourself!

Image courtesy: http://www.clickatlanticcityhotels.com/harrahs_atlantic_city.html

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When you are headed to Atlantic City, you will find that you are in a great place for some fun in the sun, and when you are ready to start a party or to join one, you cannot beat the beach bars. The beach bars in Atlantic City are known for their lively environments and the great times that they offer to tourists and locals like, and when you are interested in having a great time, there are definitely a few that you need to check out.

For instance, when you don’t want to do anything fancy, why not consider the Atlantic City Hilton Beach Bar? This bar has a terrifically kitschy feel, and it is definitely stripped down. It might make you think of a bare shack on the beach, but there are some great things to check out. You can get some great wings, sausage and tacos here and you’ll find that if you are interested in a slightly older crowd, this is the way to go.

On the other hand, if you are in the mood for a place where you definitely won’t feel cramped, consider the beach bar at Trump Plaza. This place regularly has live bands in to perform and the crowd is pretty diverse and fun. You can get some great sandwiches and tacos, and when you are in the mood for something different, there’s the raw bar. You can take advantage of the luxury service that you can get from your own private cabana, and you can enjoy the luxury of being in one of the Sexiest Beach Bars, as decided by the Travel Channel.

If you are in the mood to be really close to the beach, you can’t get much closer than the Bikini Beach Bar at Bally’s. This bar is known for its live band and for its proximity to the water and you will find that though the food here is your basic bar food, it is plentiful and pretty tasty. Look for the Old Bay fries and the shrimp, and make sure that you stay long enough for the cocktails. There are many different theme nights that you can take advantage of when you are looking at the Bikini Beach Bar at Bally’s, so keep a look out for things like Latin Mondays and ’80s Wednesdays. There’s even a fun in the sun fashion show on Friday, so bring your best!

Take a moment to think about everything that you have heard about Atlantic City. The bar scene is among the most amazing in the world and when you are ready to have a good time, this is definitely the beach that you want to hit. Check out more local attractions and figure out which water holes are going to entertain you!

Image Courtesy : http://njmonthly.com/articles/jerseyshore/come-as-you-are-bars.html

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Mankind has always been curious about the history of the world, and with recent developments in archeology, more and more has become abundantly clear. What we have found is proof that a species dominated the earth longer than humans ever drew breath, and that species is dinosaur. This was a ferocious and terrifying species that ruled not through diplomacy and trade, but in some cases through fear and primal instinct. We are mystified by these species and we have done all that we can to learn more about them.

No doubt you have at some point seen the plethora of movies that have been made about dinosaurs. From time travelers in a bad movie, to a modern day tale of genetic experiments on an island in the middle of nowhere, dinosaurs have been a subject of both fascination and excitement for the young and old for many years and so far there is no evidence that is going to change any time soon. For this reason it was inevitable that dinosaurs would suddenly break onto the big screen.

Recently a total of ten million pounds was spent on an arena presentation of the cretaceous period in all it’s glory. This is presented to the public in an arena setting, meaning that the show will be displayed in a huge screen for your viewing pleasure. If you are a fan of dinosaurs or ever have been in the past then this will be a great experience for you to become closely acquainted with your favorite lizards from ages past.

You can experience this event from July all the way to august, so get ready to buy your tickets and take a trip into the past that you never would have thought possible. If this sounds like something that would interest you then you are quite in luck as you can find all the information you need regarding attending the shows online either at it’s official website or on the website of one of their many affiliates. This happens to be a huge event so you will no doubt be able to find someone that has decided to cover it!

Whether you are young or old, big or small, you will enjoy this presentation as it drags you through the creation of dinosaurs all the way to their humble end. No matter who you are, this is the show for you. So head online, or call your local box office for showtimes and prices. This is definitely one show you’re not going to want to miss.

If you do happen to miss one showing don’t be incredibly discouraged because chances are you will catch the next one! Not to mention it’s showing at many different places, so you aren’t going to experience overcrowding regardless of how popular the show happens to be. Just keep an eye out for showtimes and you’ll be able to get in on it in no time!

Image Courtesy : http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2007/10/07-week/

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Atlantic City offers some of the best shopping in the region. Before you lose all of your money at the luxurious Tropicana resort be sure to head on over to The Quarter at the Tropicana, The Pier Shops at Caesars, and what locals refer to as “The Walk.”

The Quarter is an elegant indoor shopping mall that is in the Tropicana Casino. Its garden courtyard resembles something you would see in Mexico. The Quarter has something for everyone - including your animals. Jake’s Dog House is a down to earth pet store that has everything you and your pet could want. Aside from the basis stores such as Banana Republic the Quarter features local favorites such as “The Trop” and the “Farmer’s Almanac.” While waiting for your gambling friends to finish up donate pass by “Steel’s Fudge.” Don’t forget to check out the restaurants as well, they offer tasty cuisine at a reasonable price.

The Pier Shops at Caesars is an upscale indoor shopping center that caters to everyone. Even if you cannot afford a $500 purse, items worth checking out. It is connected via a sky bridge from the main casino and offers something for everyone. They have water and light shows that run on the hour and offer a multitude of entertainment for the whole family. They feature the typical stores such as Brookstone and The Body Shop. For those who made it big at the casinos the mall has designer stores including Gucci and Luis Vuitton. The Pier features a wide variety of upscale dining facilities for eating in or to-go. Do not miss the third floor of the Pier as it offers a unique beach view.

Atlantic City’s Outlets offers a mix between upscale and casual shopping. There are a plethora of stores to browse and shop at. You’ll find everything at The Walk including suitcases, diamonds, vitamins, and cell phones. The Walk features fashion and accessories by Ashley Stewart, Brooks Brothers, Calvin Klein, Eddie Bauer, Kenneth Cole, Lane Bryant, Perry Ellis, and Ralph Lauren. You will find many factory outlet stores including Guess, PacSun, Old Navy, H&M, Bass, GAP, Ecko, and DKNY. Among the dining facilities include Cavo Crepe Café, Longhorn Steakhouse, The Melting Pot, and Ruth Chris Steakhouse. The guys can watch the game and drink a few beers at the 40/40 Club while their loved ones shop.

Atlantic City is full of great shops and attractions. There is something for the entire family no matter where you are staying. Be sure to check out the Atlantic City Boardwalk for exciting entertainment and nightlife.

Image Courtesy : http://www.destination360.com/north-america/us/new-jersey/atlantic-city/shopping

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With the beauty of the Atlantic Ocean as the backdrop, just about everything you do is somehow better, but even more so if it’s free. If, like many people, you’re worried you won’t be able to vacation somewhere as exciting as Atlantic City (AC) this year, relax and start packing your suitcase because here are five completely free and totally fun things to do in one of the greatest spots in all of the U.S.

1. Learn about Atlantic City’s History: Located on Garden Pier on Boardwalk at New Jersey Avenue, the Atlantic City Historical Museum showcases the widely diverse history of AC offering both free admission and parking to visitors. Before heading to the beach you can learn about Atlantic City’s culture through the permanent exhibit titled “Atlantic City, Playground of the Nation” which features vintage postcards and photographs, artifacts from the area, and also memorabilia from the famed Miss America pageants held in the city.

2. See a Free Outdoor Concert: Throughout the summer months concerts are held at Kennedy Plaza on the Boardwalk courtesy of the AC Free Public Library. Also free are summer concerts at Bally’s Casino in the Dennis Courtyard as well as multiple entertainers located all along the Boardwalk.

3. Experience Korean War History in Atlantic City: See the New Jersey Korean War Memorial on Brighton Park which is free to the public and offers a definite feeling of the area’s deep rooted history. The war memorial is open daily and gives visitors a chance to experience the important legacy left by our veterans.

4. More Free Culture and History in Atlantic City: Visit the tranquil Civil Rights Garden, located on Pacific Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Boulevard, and see its gorgeous flowers, the meandering pathways, and the awe inspiring eleven granite columns with inscriptions detailing the events that occurred during that time.

5. Enjoy the Wonders of the Beach and the Atlantic Ocean: There are no pricey beach badges or any type of fees needed to enjoy the beauty of Atlantic City’s beaches and any number of fun activities taking place there all year round.

Besides the usual swimming, sunbathing, and volleyball games, surfing is also permitted at three different beaches, either New Hampshire Avenue’s Crystal Beach, the Delaware Avenue Beach, or the Downtown Beach at Raleigh Avenue. None of the surfing beaches are staffed with lifeguards, and if you want to kayak or windsurf over at Jackson Avenue Beach, also without a lifeguard, be sure to bring your own equipment as there are no rentals.

As if all of that isn’t enough, fishing is permitted along the jetties near the Oriental and Main Avenue Boardwalks and you won’t even need to buy a license for salt-water fishing here. Just remember that no fishing is allowed near bathing beaches during the hours of 10am to 6pm when the lifeguards are on duty.

With all of the free things to do in Atlantic City you’re sure to need more than just one day to see and do everything the area has to offer. But luckily, since none of these fun activities require any money, maybe you’ll be able to stay an extra few days and really experience the city in all its glory.

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What’s the main reason people go to Atlantic City versus any other gambling destination? You might be surprised that it’s not the glamorous slots, or the luxurious spas.

A new survey by the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority finds gambling ranks seventh on a list of why people choose to come to the resort. Easy parking topped the list, followed by the convenience of getting to Atlantic City, the ease of getting around within the city, dining options, hotel room availability, and the beach and Boardwalk. At AtlanticCity.com , we are proud to be a part of the hotel availability options for Atlantic City, offering the lowest price guarantee since 1995.

Jeff Vasser , the authority’s president, says the yearlong survey of more than 3,000 visitors shows that Atlantic City’s efforts to transform itself into a destination resort where gambling is only one of the attractions are working. The survey states that for some people, even if they have options closer to home to play a slot machine they prefer to come to Atlantic City as Slot machines are not the compelling reason moreover it’s the shopping, the dining, the entertainment - the whole package, with easy parking and stress-free hotel reservations and availability.

Visitors to Atlantic City declined last year to 33 million from 34 million in 2006. That’s only a 3% decline compared to almost 15% decline at Las Vegas. The survey also offers evidence of some of the challenges facing Atlantic City. More than a third of those surveyed also say they gamble regularly elsewhere, including Las Vegas (31 per cent), Pennsylvania (20 per cent), Connecticut (15 per cent), Delaware (8 per cent) and New York (8 per cent). More hotels and resorts like Borgata will help establish our status as the entertainment destination.

Related Links:

• Parking the top draw for Visitors to Atlantic City
• Atlantic City Recreation

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Macau’s economy is based on tourism and gambling, much like its counterparts in the US – Las Vegas and Atlantic City. These three places, combined generate more revenue just from gambling than the total market Cap of Bank of America and US Bank combined, in fact they don’t even come close.
Here, we look at the key statistics at the “Terrific three” gambling hubs.

Las Vegas

Las Vegas has long been the world’s gambling hub. High end casinos, unparalleled service and a large variety of entertainment options have kept tourists coming back to Vegas year after year. Leading properties include casinos run by MGM Mirage Inc., Harrah’s Entertainment Inc., Las Vegas Sands Corp and The Wynn Resorts Ltd.

At close to $6.5 Billion in gambling revenues in Las Vegas alone and $12 billion total gambling revenue in the state of Nevada which includes the City of Reno, a smaller gambling hub, it is still arguably the world’s largest entertainment location, even though Macau has exceeded Las Vegas in the last year or so as the world’s largest gambling hub.

Overall, the Las Vegas economy, which includes revenue from tourism, gambling, entertainment and a host of other smaller businesses including conventions, has been increasing 6.5% year after year and is about $110 billion now and is expected to reach $155 billion in 2012. No other location comes even close to that number.

2008, however, has been slower than usual, primarily due to the overall economic slowdown in the US due to the sub prime mortgage crisis.

Atlantic City:

Atlantic City has 11 major casinos and has been the second biggest gambling hub in the US for several decades. Research studies however show that 2007 will be the first year for the drop in revenue, because of the tough competition in the gambling industry.

Many of the old casinos that were there in Atlantic City have been shut down. The Trump Marina Hotel Casino had the biggest decline $11.8 million, and recently, Trump decided to sell this away as well. New casinos have started coming up though and it is unclear at this time what the future of Atlantic City would be.

Overall revenue for casinos in 2007 dropped 2.9% compared with 2006, but the decline in slots revenue was even sharper at 7.2%. The smoking ban, additional taxes, competition from casinos in neighboring states and the overall economic slowdown contributed to the slowdown. Despite these losses, Atlantic City generated $4.94 billion in gambling revenues in 2007, still a very strong number in the US. With new casinos coming up and the closure of the old loss-generating ones, Atlantic City seems to be poised for a comeback. Only time will tell.

Macau:

Gambling revenue in the enclave totaled 55.9 billion patacas ($6.95 billion) in 2006, which includes lottery and racing revenues although the booming bulk came from the casino floor. This may exceed the $6.2 billion generated by the Las Vegas strip. VIPs related revenue was higher but the mass market was slightly lower.

At the end of 2006, Macau had 24 casinos operating 2,762 gaming tables and 6,546 slot machines. In the beginning of the year 2007, with the increase in the gambling revenue by 22% reaching US$ 6.95 billion, Macau dethroned Las Vegas to emerge as the world’s No.1 gambling destination.

The success story of Macau may be due to the fact that the visitors from the nearby areas in mainland China show more interest towards gambling compared to the Americans in Las Vegas, whose people aren’t that interested in gambling in general. Macau is the only place in China where gambling is legal and within the reach of three billion people which positions it well for further growth, much better than Las Vegas and Atlantic City. It is already the world’s largest gambling center by volume and may soon become the largest by revenues as well.

Related Links:

• Wynn Macau Taking shape
• Stories on Atlantic City
• Las Vegas -Nevada

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The Story Of The Slot Machine - Over Hundred Years of Thrill and Entertainment

Did you know that what we call a slot machine in America is a fruit machine in the UK and a poker machine in Australia? In 1895, the first slot machine was created by inventor Charles Fey. Besides being its inventor, Charles Fey also sold and distributed slot machines to businesses as well. In 1907, Charles Fey decided to become partners with the Mills Novelty Company to produce a line of new slot machines. The first was the Mills Liberty Bell. 3 years later, the Mills Company created the very first fruit symbol slot machine called the Operator Bell. The early slot machines were made of cast iron, a heavy material that was hard to lug from casino to casino.

In 1915, with the Mills Company’s involvement came the first wood cabinet slot machine. This lighter material made it easier for them to deliver slot machines to various businesses. The Mills Company used its creative mind to branch out and create more interesting slot machines for players. In the 1930’s, it worked on different designs for different machines, all coming with their own mini-themes. These eye-catching, more colorful machines became a luxury for players. In the 1930’s, there was a slot machine boom throughout the United States especially in all gambling hubs like Atlantic City. Since then, slot machines have known a lot of transformations: the mechanical machines were replaced with electronic ones, and then video slot machines started to gain reputation.

The first electro-mechanical slot machine was developed by Bally Manufacturing in 1964 and was called Money Honey. This was the first machine in over 50 years that started to move on from Feys original invention. Internally the machine replaced springs and levers with electrical components and for the player the outward changes really added to the gaming experience with multiple coin play and higher jackpots. The use of the electricity allowed exciting slots noises and flashing lights. Overnight the slot machine had become a whole lot more exciting and appealing to a lot more people.

Bally Manufacturing continued to lead the way in the development of slot machines and in the mid 1970’s introduced a Dollar Slot Machine which casinos arranged in carousels and bigger jackpots. Until now slots had been consider secondary gambling games for the casinos, with the table games considered primary profit games. This was now changing as the slots become increasingly popular.

In 1980 a new company called Sircoma produced a Video Poker Slot Machine. At first players were untrusting of the video aspect as they could not actually see the reels spinning. There are many different kinds of gambling slot machines in places such as Atlantic City. However they soon become very popular and still are today both in live casinos and online.

In the mid 1990s slot machines started accepting bills so players no longer needed to get change in coins to play, this meant more time at the slot machine and actually playing the slot even easier.

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This post was really informative - atlantic city gambling history

This site often posts useful news and information about NJ, Philadelphia and adjoining areas. We literally ‘live’ atlantic city but still found some of the information on this post new!

For instance, did you know that Resorts International was the first licensed casino in Atlantic City?

Did you know that gambling only started at 10 AM and wasn’t a 24 hour operation? That’s good to know :). I wouldn’t have wanted to go there at 8 AM and not had a slot machine to drop my money at :)). It always amazes me how there are people at the casino floor at 8 AM.

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