AC's Next 30 Years...

Thirty years ago a grouped of investors decided to take the ultimate gamble and built the first casino in Atlantic City. The place was the Resorts International and within the first 20 minutes of it's grand opening, it filled it's capacity of 5,000 guest. Since that mark in time, Atlantic City grew into one of the most well-known getaway spots on the Eastern Coast. Within those thirty years, Atlantic City has grown into a resort giant; building land marks like the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa which receives world-wide attention thanks to such media events like the World Poker Tour. To some, Atlantic City may be better known for hosting the American Beauty Pageant since 1921 (until recent). With it's distinct location, history, and presence, it's one of the few places known world-wide by it's initials alone, "AC".

The intentions of this entry is not to browse over the history of Atlantic City and what it has become; instead let's take a look at the future of a city who claims it's "always turned on".

A few years ago things looked bright for the city. Many new frontiers were being put together to start the transition of taking the eastern city and turning it into the successful glamoring styles of Las Vegas. Many Las Vegas owned hotel entertainment companies planned to come to the East and bring the Vegas charm with it, such as the $5 billion MGM Grand and the historical Sands replacement, Pinnacle Entertainment's Hotel.

But things sometimes change; recently Atlantic City has been suffering from negative press and record-breaking financial losses. Such causes of Atlantic City's depression are doest in it's headlines like: largest fine for underage service, full smoking ban, rise of gas prices, casino owner losing license, legalizing casino's in Philadelphia, and the announcement of possible 20 year toll hike. All of these reasons plus many others such as the general state of our economy leaving less disposable income, all lead to a not-so-sure future for Atlantic City.

You can feel it walking on the boardwalk. The row of shops look like shacks found in depressed area's of major cities. The once gorgeous casino's that lined the walk now look old and in need of new life. Places like the Hilton and Resorts feel dated and in need desperate need of TLC, while others like Bally's Wild West seem like a ghost town. Even the famous casino's by Trump Entertainment seem gaudy and dated compared to it's competitor, the Borgata.

But all is not lost. While rumors circulate that Pinnacle is putting a halt on it's casino due to the economy, others seem ready to dive in a help make the next 30 years of AC's history just as successful as it's previous. Not only has Pinnacle and MGM shown interest, but Morgan Stanley has purchased 20 acres North of the Showboat, AC Gateway - headed by former Caesar's CEO - is planning a $1.5-2.0 billion dollar hotel, and recently Coastal Marina LLC purchased the drowning Trump Marina to build Margaritaville in it's place.

I believe that the next few years will really set the tide on where Atlantic City will be 30 years from now. If the city continues to move forward and develop itself to be like Las Vegas, then I can envision an increase of visitor's and revenue especially with the cost of traveling rising almost every other day. People on the East would save the money and stay in Atlantic City instead of traveling the distance to Las Vegas. But as it stands right now, Atlantic City is a far cry from Vegas - not as fun, not as good looking, and not as bright of a future.