Connecticut’s gambling industry started growing in the 90s. New Yorkers, Philadelphians and others in major East Coast population centers used to have to travel to Atlantic City to gamble. Blame the proliferation of other East Coast casinos. Since 2007, gambling revenue has fallen by an average annual amount of about 8 percent.
Las Vegas made about $10.6 billion that year. So, how does Atlantic City compare to Vegas these days in terms of revenue, casinos, visitors and other areas associated with the two cities? And did it ever come close to Vegas? Biggest years for casino revenueĪtlantic City’s glory days surprisingly weren’t that long ago. AC has been crumbling, while Vegas saw the largest number of visitors in its history in 2014, beating out the previous high set in 2013. Now, after four Atlantic City casinos closed last year, bankruptcy possibilities swirling and leaders trying to figure out alternative ways to attract tourists and businesses, hardly anyone is comparing Atlantic City to Vegas. The city was transforming itself from a vacation resort focused on its beaches and amusement park - including an attraction of horses diving into a small pool of water - into one built around the gambling industry. Atlantic City was going to be the next Las Vegas when its first casino opened in May 1978.
