Trump World's Fair
Trump World's Fair was a short-lived hotel and casino at Trump Plaza in Atlantic City, New Jersey, operating from 1996 until its permanent closure in 1999.
Last updated August 25, 2026
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Overview
Trump World's Fair was the final name of a hotel-and-casino complex on the Atlantic City Boardwalk in New Jersey. The property occupied approximately 280 feet of Boardwalk frontage, rose 21 floors, and included a 500-room hotel tower, a multilevel casino, restaurants, shops, and an 800-seat entertainment venue known as the Cabaret. Although the Trump World's Fair identity existed for only three years, the site had a longer and complicated history under several owners and names. The complex opened on April 14, 1981, as the Playboy Hotel and Casino. Playboy Enterprises developed the project with Elsinore Corporation, the operator of the Four Queens Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, as a financing and operating partner. The property initially operated under a provisional gaming license while New Jersey regulators reviewed the suitability of the two companies. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission ultimately granted a permanent license to Elsinore but rejected Playboy Enterprises’ application, citing concerns connected with Playboy’s London casino operations and historical payments associated with obtaining a liquor license for a New York Playboy Club. Playboy consequently sold its interest to Elsinore, and the property was renamed the Atlantis Hotel and Casino in 1984. As Atlantis, the complex was organized into two sections divided by Florida Avenue. The principal structure contained the hotel, casino, and restaurants, while a connected building housed the Cabaret and retail space. The entertainment program included performers such as Bobby Vinton, David Copperfield, Vic Damone, Lola Falana, and the Captain & Tennille. Boxing events were also held at the casino during the property’s earlier operating history. The Atlantis filed for bankruptcy in 1985 and continued to experience financial and regulatory difficulties. In April 1989, New Jersey rejected renewal of its gaming license and placed the property in conservatorship. Casino operations ended on May 22, 1989, although the hotel remained open. Donald Trump purchased the property in June 1989 for $63 million and renamed it the Trump Regency. In July 1992, ownership passed to mortgage holder Chemical Bank. Trump reacquired the Regency for $60 million in June 1995. After a reported $48 million renovation, Trump reopened the casino on May 15, 1996, under the name Trump World's Fair at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. The repositioning connected the property more directly with the Trump Plaza brand and sought to restore the site as an Atlantic City gaming and entertainment destination. The relaunch did not produce a lasting operation. The hotel and casino closed permanently on October 3, 1999, after approximately three years under the Trump World's Fair name. The building was demolished in 2000, ending the physical presence of the brand. The land was later sold at auction to Bruce Toll of Toll Brothers. Trump World's Fair is therefore best understood as a property brand rather than a standalone international consumer brand. Its commercial offer centered on casino gaming, hotel accommodation, live entertainment, dining, and retail. Its history reflects the regulatory scrutiny, financing pressure, ownership changes, bankruptcy risk, and redevelopment cycles that characterized Atlantic City’s casino industry during the 1980s and 1990s.
History
The site later known as Trump World's Fair began as a major Atlantic City hotel and casino project developed by Playboy Enterprises with Elsinore Corporation. It opened on April 14, 1981, as the Playboy Hotel and Casino. The complex included a 500-room hotel tower, a large casino, restaurants, shops, and an entertainment venue. Because New Jersey gaming licenses were subject to extensive suitability review, the property initially operated with a provisional license. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission eventually approved Elsinore but denied Playboy Enterprises a permanent license. Playboy sold its stake, and the property was renamed the Atlantis Hotel and Casino in 1984. Atlantis was divided into two sections separated by Florida Avenue. The main building contained the casino, hotel, and restaurants; a second building, linked by a skybridge, housed the 800-seat Cabaret and retail facilities. The Cabaret presented a range of musical and variety performers, including Bobby Vinton, David Copperfield, Vic Damone, Lola Falana, and the Captain & Tennille. The property also hosted boxing matches. The casino entered bankruptcy in 1985 and subsequently remained under financial pressure. In April 1989, state regulators refused to renew its gaming license and placed the property in conservatorship. Casino operations stopped on May 22, 1989, although the hotel continued operating. Donald Trump acquired the property in June 1989 for $63 million and introduced the Trump Regency name. The ownership structure changed again in July 1992, when the property was transferred to Chemical Bank, its mortgage holder. Trump reacquired the Regency for $60 million in June 1995. Following a reported $48 million renovation, the casino reopened on May 15, 1996, as Trump World's Fair at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. The new identity was intended to place the property within the Trump Plaza resort portfolio while presenting the refurbished complex as an Atlantic City gaming and entertainment destination. The relaunch was brief. Trump World's Fair closed permanently on October 3, 1999, after operating for roughly three years. The building was demolished in 2000, and the land was later sold at auction to Bruce Toll of Toll Brothers. The brand consequently survives only as a historical name associated with a former Atlantic City property and with the broader succession of Playboy, Atlantis, Trump Regency, and Trump World's Fair identities at the same site.
- 2000
Building demolished
[1]The former Trump World's Fair structure was demolished after closure.
- 1999
Operations end
[1]The hotel and casino closed permanently on October 3.
- 1996
Trump World's Fair launches
[1]The renovated casino reopened on May 15 as Trump World's Fair at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino.
- 1995
Trump reacquires the Regency
[1]Donald Trump bought the property back from Chemical Bank.
- 1992
Ownership transfers to Chemical Bank
[1]The property was transferred to Chemical Bank, its mortgage holder.
- 1989
Trump acquires and renames the property
[1]After regulators rejected renewal of the gaming license and the casino entered conservatorship, Donald Trump purchased the property and renamed it Trump Regency.
- 1985
Atlantis files for bankruptcy
[1]The casino filed for bankruptcy and continued operating amid financial difficulties.
- 1984
Property becomes Atlantis Hotel and Casino
[1]After Playboy sold its interest following licensing difficulties, the complex was renamed Atlantis Hotel and Casino.
- 1981
Property opens as Playboy Hotel and Casino
[1]The 500-room Atlantic City hotel and casino opened on April 14 under the Playboy name.
Products and positioning
A Trump-branded Atlantic City hotel and casino positioned as an integrated gaming, lodging, dining, shopping, and entertainment resort within the Trump Plaza property.
Hospitality · 1981
Hotel accommodation
The property operated a 500-room hotel tower as part of its integrated Atlantic City resort complex. Hotel operations continued for a period even after casino operations ended in 1989, before the site was later relaunched under the Trump Regency and Trump World's Fair names.
Gaming · 1981
Casino gaming
Casino gaming was the core commercial offering of the complex. The property operated under several names, experienced licensing difficulties, lost its gaming license in 1989, and later resumed casino operations after Trump's renovation and the 1996 Trump World's Fair relaunch.
Live entertainment · 1981
Cabaret entertainment
An 800-seat Cabaret occupied a separate section of the complex connected by a skybridge. Its program included music, magic, comedy, and variety performances by nationally recognized entertainers.
Resort amenities · 1981
Restaurants, shops, and leisure facilities
The complex supplemented its hotel and casino with restaurants, retail shops, and other resort amenities designed to support an all-in-one Atlantic City leisure experience.
Brand decisions
1996
Rebrand and renovate the propertyStrategyBackground
After reacquiring the former Trump Regency, Trump sought to reposition the property within the Trump Plaza hotel and casino portfolio.
Action taken
The property underwent a reported $48 million renovation and reopened as Trump World's Fair at Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino on May 15, 1996.
Aftermath
The renamed operation closed permanently approximately three years later, on October 3, 1999.
Reported renovation investment. $48 million (1996 reopening)
Recent events
- 2000
Trump World's Fair building demolished[1]
Other
The former hotel and casino structure was demolished after the property had closed.
- 1999
Trump World's Fair closes permanently[1]
Other
The hotel and casino ceased operations permanently on October 3, ending the property’s three-year run under the Trump World's Fair identity.
- 1996
Trump World's Fair reopens after renovation[1]
Product launch · Other
The Atlantic City property reopened on May 15 under the Trump World's Fair name following a reported $48 million renovation.
Sources2 sources
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