Atlantic Club Casino Hotel
Atlantic Club Casino Hotel was a casino hotel in Atlantic City, now closed.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel was a hotel and casino on the southern end of the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The property opened in 1980 as the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino, making it the sixth casino to open in Atlantic City after New Jersey voters approved casino gambling in 1976. It was developed by a partnership associated with Golden Nugget Companies and Michael R. Milken, with Steve Wynn playing a central role in its creation and early operation. The resort was designed by Joel Bergman, whose work also included other Wynn properties, and originally contained 506 hotel rooms. The resort changed identity several times during its operating life. Bally Manufacturing acquired it from Wynn in 1987 and renamed it Bally's Grand Hotel and Casino. Following Hilton Hotels Corporation's acquisition of Bally Entertainment, the property became the Atlantic City Hilton in 1996. Hilton later separated its casino assets into Park Place Entertainment, while the property subsequently became associated with Resorts International Holdings and Colony Capital. From late 2009 through the end of the Hilton branding period, the Atlantic City Hilton and Resorts Atlantic City were managed in a closely linked structure under the leadership of Anthony Rodio. Hilton's licensing relationship with Colony Capital ended in 2011, requiring the removal of the Hilton name. The property briefly operated as ACH Casino Resort before adopting The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel name in February 2012. Under that identity it was repositioned as Atlantic City's first and only explicitly marketed locals casino, using the slogan “A casino for the rest of us.” Management renovated the gaming floor and hotel rooms and promoted the property as a more accessible alternative to the city's destination-oriented casino resorts. At its peak under the Atlantic Club name, the hotel offered approximately 802 rooms, a casino with slot machines, video gaming devices and table games, a player-rewards program, multiple restaurants and a range of entertainment programming. The rebranding did not reverse the property's financial and market difficulties. Atlantic City faced declining casino visitation as neighboring states expanded their own gambling industries, intensifying competition for regional customers. The owner, Resorts International Holdings, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in November 2013. A proposed acquisition by Rational Group, the parent company of PokerStars, briefly raised the possibility that the property could become connected with New Jersey's emerging online-gambling market. That transaction was terminated after Rational failed to obtain a temporary gaming license. The Atlantic Club permanently closed at 12:01 a.m. on January 13, 2014. In a bankruptcy sale approved in December 2013, Caesars Entertainment acquired the real estate and non-gaming assets, while Tropicana Entertainment acquired the gaming equipment and customer data for a combined reported price of $23.4 million. Caesars sold the property to TJM Properties in May 2014. Subsequent proposals included conversion into a non-gaming hotel, an entertainment center and indoor water-park complex, expansion or redevelopment by Stockton University, and other mixed-use concepts. These plans generally failed to proceed or did not produce a reopening as a casino. The property was later sold to Colosseo Atlantic City, Inc. in 2019. In 2022, Colosseo obtained a construction permit for recladding work associated with a redevelopment concept involving hotel towers and residential condominiums without casino gaming. The former resort therefore remains significant as a case study in Atlantic City's casino-market contraction, repeated corporate rebranding and the difficulty of converting a large closed casino property to a viable post-gaming use.
History
The property began as the Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in 1980, soon after Atlantic City legalized casino gambling. It was built for approximately $140 million by a partnership involving Golden Nugget Companies and Michael R. Milken. Steve Wynn acquired the Strand Motel site, demolished the motel and developed the new resort. Joel Bergman designed the building, while Atlandia Design handled design, construction and furnishing work. The original resort had 506 rooms and was the sixth casino to open in Atlantic City. The Golden Nugget quickly became associated with Wynn's early casino career. Its 500-seat Opera House hosted prominent entertainers including Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, Sammy Davis Jr., Dolly Parton, Lou Rawls and Don Rickles. By 1983 it was reported to be Atlantic City's highest-earning casino. Wynn later sold the property to Bally Manufacturing in 1987 for a reported $440 million following conflicts with state officials and gaming regulators. Bally renamed it Bally's Grand Hotel and Casino. Hilton Hotels Corporation acquired Bally Entertainment, and the property was renamed the Atlantic City Hilton in 1996. In 1998, Hilton separated its casino properties into Park Place Entertainment. The resort later became part of the ownership and operating structure associated with Resorts International Holdings and Colony Capital. In 2000, Nicholas L. Ribis and Colony Capital had acquired Resorts Atlantic City, and in 2005 they pursued the purchase of several casino properties, including the Atlantic City Hilton. Resorts Atlantic City and the Atlantic City Hilton were managed together through December 2009 under the name Atlantic City Hilton and Resorts Atlantic City, with Anthony Rodio serving as president. Financial pressure intensified as Atlantic City's casino market lost customers to competing gambling venues in neighboring states. In 2009, Resorts International was unable to meet the mortgage obligations associated with Resorts Atlantic City and surrendered that property under a loan restructuring. Hilton ended its licensing agreement with Colony Capital in 2011, forcing the removal of the Hilton identity. The casino temporarily operated as ACH Casino Resort while the branding transition was completed. On February 7, 2012, the property adopted The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel name. It was presented as a locals casino, a positioning that distinguished it from Atlantic City's more conventional tourist-oriented resorts. The slogan “A casino for the rest of us” supported this strategy. Management began renovating the gaming floor and guest rooms, and the hotel ultimately marketed approximately 802 renovated rooms. The complex also offered table games, slot and video machines, a player-rewards club, eight restaurants and live shows. The property became the subject of a proposed acquisition by Rational Group, the parent company of PokerStars, in 2013. The transaction was linked to the prospect of online gambling in New Jersey, but it was terminated after Rational failed to secure a temporary gaming license. On November 6, 2013, owner Resorts International Holdings filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. A bankruptcy sale was subsequently arranged, and Federal Bankruptcy Judge Gloria M. Burns approved the transaction on December 23, 2013. The Atlantic Club closed at 12:01 a.m. on January 13, 2014. Caesars Entertainment acquired the real estate and non-gaming assets, while Tropicana Entertainment bought the casino equipment and customer records. Caesars sold the site to TJM Properties on May 29, 2014. TJM considered non-gaming uses, but the property did not reopen as a casino. Several redevelopment proposals followed. Endeavor Property Group proposed a large non-gaming resort with indoor water parks, convention space and an arcade in 2015, and the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved the concept. A later attempt by R & R Development Group to purchase and convert the site into a family entertainment center failed in 2017 because financing could not be obtained. Stockton University explored a purchase in 2018 but did not complete a transaction. A reported 2019 settlement did not immediately produce a confirmed transfer; later that year the property was sold to Colosseo Atlantic City, Inc. In 2022, Colosseo obtained a construction permit for recladding the structures with watertight glass curtain walls. The associated redevelopment vision called for hotel towers and residential condominiums without casino operations. The property's evolution from Golden Nugget to Atlantic Club, followed by closure and repeated redevelopment proposals, reflects both the consolidation of casino ownership and the structural challenges facing Atlantic City's older resort properties.
- 2022
Redevelopment construction permit obtained
[1]Colosseo obtains a permit for recladding work tied to a proposed hotel and residential redevelopment without casino gaming.
- 2019
Colosseo Atlantic City acquires the site
[1]The former casino property changes hands to Colosseo Atlantic City, Inc.
- 2015
Water-park redevelopment approved
[1]The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approves a proposed non-gaming redevelopment featuring indoor water parks and entertainment uses.
- 2014
Casino closes
[1]The Atlantic Club permanently stops operating on January 13.
- 2013
Owner files for Chapter 11
[1]Resorts International Holdings files for bankruptcy protection as the property faces market pressure and a prospective sale.
- 2012
The Atlantic Club brand launches
[1]The property adopts The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel name and begins a locals-casino repositioning with room and gaming-floor renovations.
- 2011
Hilton branding ends
[1]The Hilton licensing agreement ends and the property temporarily operates as ACH Casino Resort.
- 1998
Hilton separates casino assets
[1]Hilton spins off its casino properties into a company initially known as Park Place Entertainment.
- 1996
Property becomes Atlantic City Hilton
[1]Following Hilton Hotels Corporation's acquisition of Bally Entertainment, the casino adopts the Atlantic City Hilton name.
- 1987
Bally Manufacturing acquires and renames the property
[1]Bally Manufacturing purchases the resort and changes its name to Bally's Grand Hotel and Casino.
Products and positioning
A regional Atlantic City casino resort that was repositioned in 2012 as a locals-oriented casino, emphasizing accessibility and repeat visitation rather than a purely destination-resort proposition.
Hospitality · 1980
Hotel accommodation
The resort provided full-service hotel accommodation alongside its casino operations. Under The Atlantic Club identity, the property marketed approximately 802 rooms, described as renovated in 2012, with multiple room styles for visitors staying at the southern end of the Atlantic City Boardwalk.
Gaming · 1980
Casino gaming
The casino offered conventional Atlantic City gaming, including slot machines, video gaming machines and table games. The property also operated a Player's Club rewards program intended to encourage repeat visitation, particularly after its 2012 repositioning as a locals casino.
Food and beverage · 2012
Dining venues
At the Atlantic Club, the resort operated a broad dining portfolio reported to include eight venues. Named outlets included Simon AC, Patsy's Trattoria, Ono Chinese Bistro, Cappuccino's, Dizzy Dolphin's Beachfront Bar, Cornucopia Buffet, BB'S and The Coffee Shop.
Entertainment · 1980
Live entertainment
Entertainment was part of the property's proposition from its Golden Nugget period, when the 500-seat Opera House hosted major performers. In later years, the resort presented shows including appearances by Bobby Rydell and Rich Little.
Marketing campaigns
- 2012A casino for the rest of us
Atlantic City, New Jersey
The Atlantic Club introduced a locals-oriented brand strategy built around the slogan “A casino for the rest of us.” The positioning accompanied room and gaming-floor renovations and sought to attract regular regional customers during a period of intense competition in the Atlantic City market.
Outcome. The repositioning did not prevent the property from entering bankruptcy and closing in 2014.
Brand decisions
2022
Hotel and residential redevelopment conceptStrategyBackground
The closed resort remained in need of substantial exterior and structural redevelopment.
Action taken
Colosseo obtained a permit for recladding work connected with a plan for hotel towers and residential condominiums without casino gaming.
Aftermath
The permit marked a later-stage redevelopment direction, but the supplied references do not establish completion or reopening.
2015
Non-gaming water-park redevelopmentStrategyBackground
After the casino closed, developers sought a use that could reduce reliance on regulated casino gaming.
Action taken
Endeavor Property Group proposed indoor water parks, convention space and an arcade, and the concept received CRDA approval.
Aftermath
The proposal did not result in a completed reopening.
2013
Proposed sale to Rational GroupM&ABackground
Rational Group, the parent company of PokerStars, explored acquiring the casino in connection with New Jersey's emerging online-gambling framework.
Action taken
A purchase agreement was announced, but the transaction was terminated after Rational missed a deadline to obtain a temporary gaming license.
Aftermath
The failed transaction was followed by bankruptcy proceedings and the property's closure.
2013
Bankruptcy sale divides property assetsM&ABackground
Resorts International Holdings filed for Chapter 11 protection as the Atlantic Club's operating performance deteriorated.
Action taken
Caesars Entertainment purchased the real estate and non-gaming assets, while Tropicana Entertainment purchased gaming equipment and customer records.
Aftermath
The property closed in January 2014 and Caesars later sold the site to TJM Properties.
Combined reported purchase price. $23.4 million (December 2013)
2012
Locals-casino repositioningStrategyBackground
The property needed a distinct identity after losing the Hilton license and faced a weakening Atlantic City market.
Action taken
Management relaunched the property as The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel, renovated the gaming floor and rooms, and targeted local and repeat customers.
Aftermath
The property remained under financial pressure and closed in January 2014.
2011
Removal of Hilton brandingStrategyBackground
Hilton Hotels ended its licensing agreement with Colony Capital.
Action taken
The Hilton name and associated signage were removed, and the property temporarily used the ACH Casino Resort identity.
Aftermath
The property adopted The Atlantic Club Casino Hotel brand in 2012.
1987
Sale to Bally ManufacturingM&ABackground
Steve Wynn sold the Golden Nugget property after disputes with state officials and gaming regulators.
Action taken
Bally Manufacturing acquired the resort and renamed it Bally's Grand Hotel and Casino.
Aftermath
The transaction ended Wynn's direct Atlantic City operation and began a succession of major corporate identities.
Reported acquisition price. $440 million (1987)
Sources1 sources
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