The Borgata
A hotel, casino, spa, entertainment, and gaming resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Last updated August 31, 2026
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Overview
The Borgata is an integrated hotel and casino resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. It combines casino gaming, hotel accommodation, dining, spa services, entertainment, meetings, nightlife, sports betting, and online gambling under a single resort brand. The property opened on July 2, 2003, in Atlantic City's Marina District and became one of the city's most significant casino developments since the legalization of casino gambling in New Jersey. Its opening helped redirect attention and investment toward the Marina District and established the property as a major competitor to Atlantic City's older Boardwalk casinos. The resort originated in the large infrastructure and development effort sometimes called the Tunnel Project. The project was associated with plans for a new casino district connection from the Atlantic City Expressway and ultimately produced the Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector, which opened in 2001. Although the original Le Jardin casino proposal was cancelled, the transportation link continued and supported later development in the Marina District. Borgata was developed as a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Boyd Gaming. Its design and construction involved Las Vegas-based Marnell Corrao Associates and Philadelphia-based Bower Lewis and Thrower Architects. The main tower's reflective gold-glass exterior became a prominent part of the Atlantic City skyline. At opening, Borgata introduced a large-scale resort model to Atlantic City, with a substantial casino floor, upscale hotel rooms, restaurants, retail, nightlife, and event facilities. A major expansion completed in 2006 added casino and retail space and enlarged the poker room. The property later expanded its lodging capacity with a second hotel tower, originally called The Water Club, which opened in 2008 with 800 rooms and suites, pools, meeting facilities, retail space, and a large spa. The second tower was subsequently associated with the MGM Tower name. Borgata's casino includes approximately 161,000 square feet of gaming space, about 4,000 slot machines, roughly 180 table games, and around 50 poker tables. Its poker operation has hosted daily events and larger tournaments connected with the World Poker Tour. The resort also operates a Race & Sports Book and has developed online gambling activities. Outside gaming, its venues host concerts, comedy, boxing, mixed martial arts, private functions, conventions, and business events. Major entertainment spaces include the Borgata Event Center, Borgata Music Box, and the outdoor Borgata Festival Park. Ownership and control changed several times. In 2010, MGM Mirage agreed to sell its 50 percent interest and cease operating as a New Jersey gaming licensee following a settlement involving New Jersey gaming regulators. MGM was permitted to return to the state in 2014 after regulatory consideration of its relationship with MGM Macau. In 2016, MGM agreed to acquire Boyd Gaming's remaining 50 percent stake for cash and assumed debt. MGM then transferred the real estate to MGM Growth Properties and leased the property back. Vici Properties acquired MGM Growth Properties in 2022, making Vici the current real-estate owner while MGM Resorts International operates the resort. Borgata remains one of Atlantic City's leading casino properties and is commonly described as the city's top-grossing casino.
History
Borgata was developed during a period when Atlantic City was seeking to expand beyond its traditional Boardwalk casino cluster. The property was linked to the infrastructure initiative known as the Tunnel Project, which emerged from plans to improve access to the Marina District. The project was initially associated with Steve Wynn's proposed Le Jardin resort and a planned connection from the Atlantic City Expressway. The proposal generated controversy because of its potential impact on a residential neighborhood, and it became the subject of litigation involving competing casino interests. Although Le Jardin was never completed, the transportation project continued and the Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector opened in 2001. Borgata was developed by MGM Mirage and Boyd Gaming as an equal partnership. Marnell Corrao Associates and Bower Lewis and Thrower Architects worked on the resort's design. The property opened at 11:45 p.m. on July 2, 2003. Its large casino, hotel tower, gold-glass facade, restaurants, retail areas, and entertainment facilities gave Atlantic City a newer integrated-resort format. The main tower rose 431 feet and contained 1,997 rooms and suites, making it one of the city's most visible buildings and, at the time, the third-tallest building in Atlantic City. The resort expanded in 2005 and 2006 through a project reported to have cost $200 million. The new facilities added casino and retail space and enlarged Borgata's poker operation. The poker room became the largest in Atlantic City and was described as the second-largest in the United States at the time. In 2008, Borgata opened a second hotel tower known as The Water Club. The 38-story, approximately $400 million tower contained 800 rooms and suites, an extensive two-story spa, pools, meeting and event space, residences, and retail facilities. It was later referred to as the MGM Tower. Borgata's gaming business includes slots, table games, poker, sports betting, and online gambling. Its poker calendar includes daily tournaments and larger events held in association with the World Poker Tour. The property also became known for a 2009 craps record attributed to Patricia Demauro, whose roll lasted four hours and 18 minutes and included 154 dice throws, including 25 pass outcomes, without rolling a seven that ended the turn. Entertainment and non-gaming amenities have remained important to the brand. The Borgata Event Center can operate as a concert venue or convert into a ballroom for receptions, dinners, training, and corporate presentations. The 1,000-capacity Music Box accommodates music and comedy and can be converted into a theater for private events. Borgata Festival Park, opened in 2015, added a seasonal outdoor venue. The resort also hosts boxing and mixed martial arts events, operates Spa Toccare, and has appeared in films and television programs, including The Bounty Hunter, The Sopranos, Impractical Jokers, and several Real Housewives productions. The ownership structure changed substantially after 2010. MGM Mirage announced that it would sell its half of the joint venture and withdraw from New Jersey gaming operations under an agreement approved by state regulators. In 2014, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission allowed MGM to return after reviewing the reduced role of Pansy Ho in MGM Macau. In 2016, MGM bought Boyd Gaming's remaining half for $900 million in cash and assumed debt. MGM subsequently sold the real estate to MGM Growth Properties for $1.18 billion and leased it back, separating property ownership from resort operations. Vici Properties acquired MGM Growth Properties in 2022. Vici therefore owns the real estate, while MGM Resorts International operates Borgata. The resort continues to function as a major Atlantic City hotel-casino and one of New Jersey's largest hotel properties.
- 2022
Vici Properties becomes real-estate owner
[1]Vici Properties acquired MGM Growth Properties, including Borgata's real estate.
- 2016
MGM becomes sole resort owner
[1]MGM acquired Boyd Gaming's remaining 50 percent interest and completed the transaction in August.
- 2015
Borgata Festival Park opens
[1]The resort added a 4,500-capacity outdoor venue for seasonal events and performances.
- 2014
MGM receives regulatory permission to return
[1]New Jersey regulators reversed the earlier restriction on MGM's state presence.
- 2010
MGM announces withdrawal from New Jersey gaming
[1]MGM Mirage announced plans to sell its Borgata stake and end its New Jersey gaming-licensee role.
- 2008
Second hotel tower opens
[1]The Water Club opened with 800 rooms and suites and extensive spa, pool, retail, and meeting amenities.
- 2006
Casino and retail expansion completed
[1]The resort expanded its gaming, retail, and poker facilities.
- 2003
Borgata opens
[1]Borgata opened on July 2 as an MGM Mirage–Boyd Gaming joint venture.
- 2001
Atlantic City–Brigantine Connector opens
[1]The access project associated with the Marina District development effort opened, improving road access from the Atlantic City Expressway.
Products and positioning
An upscale integrated resort combining casino gaming, hospitality, entertainment, dining, wellness, nightlife, and events in Atlantic City's Marina District.
Gaming · 2003
Casino
Borgata's approximately 161,000-square-foot casino offers about 4,000 slot machines, approximately 180 table games, poker tables, and a sportsbook. The gaming floor is the commercial core of the resort and is supported by hotel, dining, entertainment, and loyalty-oriented hospitality services.
Hotel · 2003
Main Tower
The original 431-foot hotel tower opened with Borgata in 2003. It contains 1,997 guest rooms and suites and forms the principal lodging component of the resort.
Hotel · 2008
MGM Tower
Originally opened in 2008 as The Water Club, the 38-story tower added 800 rooms and suites, pools, meeting space, retail facilities, residences, and a two-story spa. It expanded Borgata's resort and convention capacity beyond the original tower.
Gaming · 2003
Poker Room
Borgata's poker program includes daily tournaments, cash games, and larger events associated with the World Poker Tour. The poker room was enlarged during the 2006 expansion and became one of Atlantic City's most prominent poker facilities.
Sports betting
Race & Sports Book
The Race & Sports Book provides the resort's in-person sports wagering offering alongside its broader casino operations. Borgata also operates online gambling services.
Spa and wellness · 2003
Spa Toccare
Spa Toccare is a large resort spa with treatment and wellness facilities, a salon, barbershop, fitness center, and indoor pool. The spa extends the brand beyond gaming and supports its upscale resort positioning.
Events and entertainment · 2003
Borgata Event Center
The Event Center is used for concerts and can be configured as the Borgata Ballroom for formal dinners, receptions, training, meetings, and business presentations. Its reported capacity varies by configuration, reaching approximately 3,200 in theater seating.
Entertainment · 2003
Borgata Music Box
The Music Box is a flexible venue for concerts, comedy, meetings, and presentations, with capacity of approximately 1,000. It can be converted into a private theater configuration.
Outdoor entertainment · 2015
Borgata Festival Park
Opened in 2015, Festival Park is a seasonal outdoor venue used for summer performances and events. Its reported capacity is approximately 4,500 people.
Controversies
2021
Scott Robbins sued Borgata over a lifetime ban
Poker player Scott Robbins sued Borgata for $1.25 million, alleging claims related to the casino's lifetime ban against him. The article says the lawsuit surfaced earlier that week after Borgata won a challenge to have the case heard in federal court on Monday.
Brand decisions
2022
Vici Properties acquires Borgata real estate through MGM Growth PropertiesM&ABackground
MGM Growth Properties held the real estate associated with Borgata under a sale-and-leaseback structure.
Action taken
Vici Properties acquired MGM Growth Properties, bringing Borgata's real estate into Vici's property portfolio.
Aftermath
MGM Resorts International continued operating the resort while Vici became its real-estate owner.
2016
MGM buys Boyd Gaming's remaining interestM&ABackground
Borgata had operated for years as an equal partnership between MGM and Boyd Gaming.
Action taken
MGM agreed to purchase Boyd's 50 percent stake for $900 million in cash plus assumed debt. MGM subsequently sold the property to MGM Growth Properties and leased it back.
Aftermath
MGM became the sole resort operator and economic owner before the real estate later moved into Vici Properties' portfolio through its acquisition of MGM Growth Properties.
Purchase price for Boyd Gaming's 50 percent stake. $900 million in cash plus assumed debt (2016)
2010
MGM Mirage decides to sell its Borgata stakeM&ABackground
MGM Mirage faced New Jersey regulatory and licensing issues connected with its relationship to MGM Macau and considered its future as a New Jersey gaming licensee.
Action taken
The company announced the sale of its 50 percent Borgata interest and agreed to stop operating as a gaming licensee in New Jersey, subject to a settlement with state regulators.
Aftermath
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission approved the settlement in March 2010. MGM later received permission to return to the state in 2014.
Recent events
- 2022
Vici Properties acquires MGM Growth Properties[1]
M&A
Vici Properties acquired MGM Growth Properties, including the real-estate ownership of Borgata, while MGM Resorts remained the operating company.
- 2016
MGM acquires Boyd's remaining Borgata stake[1]
M&A
MGM agreed to purchase Boyd Gaming's 50 percent interest in Borgata for $900 million in cash plus assumed debt, completing the transaction later that year.
- 2015
Borgata Festival Park opens[1]
Product launch
The resort opened an outdoor summer entertainment venue with capacity for approximately 4,500 people.
- 2014
New Jersey regulators allow MGM's return[1]
Regulation
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission reversed its earlier position and permitted MGM to return to the state after reviewing changes to the role of Pansy Ho in MGM Macau.
- 2010
MGM Mirage exits its Borgata ownership position[1]
M&A · Regulation
MGM Mirage announced an agreement to sell its 50 percent Borgata interest and end its role as a New Jersey gaming licensee, subject to regulatory approval.
- 2008
The Water Club opens as Borgata's second hotel[1]
Product launch
Borgata opened its second hotel tower, originally named The Water Club, adding 800 rooms and suites, pools, meeting facilities, retail space, and spa amenities.
- 2006
Borgata completes casino and retail expansion[1]
Other
A major expansion completed in 2006 increased casino and retail capacity and enlarged the property's poker room.
- 2003
Borgata opens in Atlantic City[1]
Other
The Borgata opened on July 2, 2003, as a joint venture between MGM Mirage and Boyd Gaming, introducing a large integrated resort to Atlantic City's Marina District.
Sources4 sources
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