Why would New Yorkers travel 127 miles after a long work week to gamble in Atlantic City when Las Vegas Sands Corp. Pennsylvania, which legalized casino gambling in 2004, has been one of the biggest drains on Atlantic City in recent years. Neighboring cities and states have also legalized casinos in recent years, and gamblers now have choices that are closer to home.
However, casinos were initially restricted to Atlantic City only, meaning that gamblers would travel from far and wide to come try their luck on the boardwalk. When New Jersey voted to legalize casino gambling in 1976, it became only the second state (after Nevada) to do so. This single biggest factor contributing to the decline in Atlantic City is the legalization gambling in surrounding states. What happened to the once-great gambling city?
However, the Atlantic City gaming industry has suffered an unprecedented collapse over the past decade. Atlantic City was once the Mecca of American gambling east of the Rocky Mountains.
