Atlantic City casinos closing...

As a native Philadelphian, the Jersey shore is like a suburb to me and many other fellow Philadelphians. Spent many a summer in AC when I was a kid.

I'm sure that general economic conditions and perhaps social mores may have much to do with AC's woes. But another factor is competition. I don't gamble ... never had. Just never interested.

Back to the competition point, gambling is becoming widely legalized. I think there may be a casino on the Philly Delaware River waterfront. So ... why schlepp to AC if you can lose a bundle right here in Philly??

AC has struggled for many years. It used to be a place of choice for family vacations. At the turn of the last century, it was THE place to go. Started to get seedy in the 60s and 70s. But with air fare becoming more affordable and many places around the world to vacation, AC just become obsolete like the buggy whip.

Gambling provided temporary relief, starting with Resorts International, back in the 70s or 80s. But even Resorts is gone. Wow ... showing my age again.

Would be kinda nice if AC could recapture its old charm and be a go-to place for families again. Ventnor and Margate are still pretty nice. Cape May is pretty cool. Lots of Victorian home and B&Bs.

Sorry to reminisce. The years are going by at an accelerating rate.

Is it gambling gon!!!!!!

I don't think the problem is gambling....Atlantic City is just a dump. City fathers thought that the casinos would make A/C another Vegas, but no one upgraded anything outside the casino's doors. Step off the boardwalk and you take your life in your hands.

I saw a news report last week that said either Bergen or Hudson County want put forth a ballot referendum for a few casinos across the river from NYC. If that passes AC will take another very serious hit. With Indian reservation casinos, the casinos in PA, and the racetrack casinos in NY it was only a matter of time before AC couldn't compete. AC had a an almost 20 year Monopoly and blew it!
As noted AC proper is still a mess and will never change.

Here is an interesting story about the Grand Opening of a grocery store. Apparently they are hard to keep open.

http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/communities/atlantic-city_pleasantville_brigantine/atlantic-city-finally-gets-a-new-grocery-store-as-save/article_c46cd4d2-9fc7-11e1-a6b8-0019bb2963f4.html

The Fat Cat Casino Barron's were supposed to use a portion of the profits for AC's revitalization, but it looks like all they did was take the money and run!

Long Beach Island (I grew up there) is a great family orientated beach resort about 30 mins north of AC, GSP Exit 63. Plenty to do or nothing at all.