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Casinos are the lifeblood of Atlantic City. More than only places to gamble, they are entertainment venues, restaurant hubs, and relaxation spots. Casinos are what makes the city as popular as it is.
Because there are lot of properties to choose from, it’s hard to know which are the best casinos in Atlantic City. We’ve visited them all in order to put together this list to help you make a choice for your next visit.
Borgata
Whether you’re looking for table games, great restaurants, relaxation, or nightlife, the Borgata is the place to go. From the indoor pool that feels like a tropical getaway to the casino floor that buzzes with energy around the clock, there are lots of areas to explore in the best casino in Atlantic City.
One of the top dining destinations in the city, Borgata is home to classic fine dining restaurants like Old Homestead Steak House and innovative places like Izakaya and Angeline. There are also plenty of grab-and-go options, if you’re looking for something less formal. Gypsy Bar, which offers live music and specializes in tequila, and the Premier night club, which features top name DJs on the weekends, are must visits for those looking for energetic nightlife.
Borgata’s stellar reputation helps them attract top-tier entertainment to their two theaters, the Event Center and The Music Box. From Jerry Seinfeld to Sting and Aerosmith, the biggest names in comedy and music perform here regularly.
The Borgata hotel casino has the largest poker room in Atlantic City, plus over 3400 slots machines and hundreds of table games. The environment is upscale, and it’s much less smoky than many of the other properties in the city. Simply put: it feels like a nicer place to be.
When you’re ready for a break from the casino floor, there are lots of shopping options and luxury amenities. Visitors can choose from indoor and outdoor pools plus a salon, barbershop, and spa. (See reviews and book)
Ocean
With sweeping views of the ocean and the famous Atlantic City boardwalk, the airy Ocean Casino Resort has a distinctly different feel than many of the other Atlantic City casinos and resorts. Specifically, this gleaming glass building lets in the light, which makes everything feel new and fresh.
The casino itself has lots to offer. The 135,000-square-foot casino floor seems to go on forever and features over 1500 slot machines plus all the table games. High rollers can access the private gaming suite known as The Loft for high-limit blackjack, roulette, and baccarat (we’re not cool enough to go there, but it’s supposed to be awesome).
There are plenty of delicious places to eat, including Jose Garces’ Spanish tapas restaurant Amada and Ocean Steak, an upscale steakhouse. We’re also partial to the speakeasy-style 1927 Lounge.
When it comes to entertainment, the HQ2 Nightclub rocks out on the weekends with musical performers and well-known DJs. Ovation Hall hosts live music, comedy shows, and lots more types of entertainment in one of the best venues in the city.
For something completely different, check out the Topgolf Swing Suite for golf and lots of other virtual games, including football and even zombie dodgeball. It’s a fun place to play in any season, so check it out if you’re visiting in the winter. The Exhale Spa and indoor/outdoor pool that’s open year-round is also worth a visit. (See reviews and book)
Hard Rock
Entertainment is what sets the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino apart from other top casinos in Atlantic City – from the décor to music throughout the property to the well-known acts who perform here. The whole place is colorful and has a fun, energetic vibe. The service is also super attentive (online reviews say we’re not alone in experiencing that).
If you’ve ever been to a Hard Rock Café or resort around the world, you know it’s all about the memorabilia. There are costumes, original song lyrics, gold records, and much more in most available spaces, making it one of the largest memorabilia collections in the country. Plus, there’s live and recorded music just about everywhere you go.
Hard Rock Live consistently draws the best national performers from classic acts like Ringo Starr to Maroon 5, Carrie Underwood, and many more. The smaller Sound Waves venue hosts lots of comedians, tribute bands, and other types of performers.
When it comes to restaurants, there are fine dining and more casual options as well as quick service. The Japanese restaurant Kuro is a favorite, and, or course, there’s a Hard Rock Café on site. The Sugar Factory is also super popular with lovers of over-the-top desserts.
The Hard Rock casino has 150 table games and over 2100 slot machines where you can try your luck at winning some rockstar caliber cash. The Sportsbook has over 40 TVs for watching all the games. For something unique, check out the Asian Gaming Room, which features Pai Gow, Asian Poker, and other Chinese casino games. (See reviews and book)
Tropicana
If you’re looking for things to do in Atlantic City, look no further than Tropicana. This place is packed with restaurants and all kinds of fun for the whole family. It practically feels like an indoor city.
There are lots of restaurants to choose from. Two of our favorites are the Cuban-inspired Cuba Libre and Carmine’s, an Italian spot known for its family-style service. The classic steakhouse The Palm is also a reliable choice.
Whether you’re vacationing with kids, teens, or adults, entertainment at Tropicana caters to a variety of interests. The IMAX Theatre is the perfect place to see a summer blockbuster (it also happens to be the only movie theater in Atlantic City), or you can work together to solve your way out of the escape room, Escape AC. Plus, there are four pools and the Family Fun Center, which has over 50 arcade games.
For an adults-only evening, check out the nightclub, Boogie Nights. Costumes are encouraged in this unique venue where you can dance with Boogie Nights characters and celebrity impersonators under a giant disco ball.
The tropical-themed casino is another hub of action at the resort. With over 2000 slot machines (including a high limit area), numerous poker tables, and a full range of table games, the selection here feels endless. Additionally, Caesars Sportsbook has panoramic screens to watch all the games alongside its 250-square-foot odds boards. (See reviews and book)
Harrah’s
Harrah’s is a solid selection when it comes to choosing where to go in Atlantic City. Though it lacks some of the more lavish amenities of the top resorts, its rooms are affordable, gambling options are extensive, and the pool is great.
The casino at Harrah’s boasts 100 table games, so whether you’re looking for blackjack, craps, roulette, or Ultimate Texas Hold’em, you have plenty of choices. There are also 1800 slot machines and a sprawling Caesars Sportsbook for betting on professional and college sports.
The property has a range of restaurants, including Gordon Ramsay Steak and Bobby’s Burgers by Bobby Flay, and there is a nice spa with a full menu of treatments. Entertainment often includes concerts, comedy shows, illusionists, and more.
One particular draw at Harrah’s is the adults-only pool that turns into a full-on party on Friday and Saturday nights. The Pool After Dark has celebrity DJs and VIP service, making it one of the top nightlife spots. (See reviews and book)
Caesars
In the heart of the action downtown, Caesars has several good restaurants and an inviting rooftop pool. That said, it’s not at the top of our list of Atlantic City casinos because of the environment. Between the super dark interior and stale cigarette smell, it’s not a place we want to hang out very long.
When it comes to restaurants, Morton’s is a winner for fine dining. Gordon Ramsay has two options—the London-themed Pub and Grill and Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen, which is nod to the popular TV show.
Unquestionably the best restaurant on the property is Japanese sensation Nobu, which opened in fall 2022. Ultimately, it will be an important part of the Nobu Hotel Atlantic City that is set to open within Caesars in 2024, including new rooms and $400 million in much-needed upgrades that will happen across the property in the next several years. With any luck, those improvements will change our opinion of Caesars significantly.
For now, the Roman Empire-themed casino at Caesars has tons of slots and table games. A livelier offering can be found at the Wild Wild West entertainment center. The Western-style buildings look down over slot machines at Coyote Kate’s slot parlor. Just beyond, you’ll find all the table games and Caesars Sportsbook. Wild West West also regularly features live music, DJs, and the Buck Wild Arcade. (See reviews and book)