To revitalize the once booming tourist town of Atlantic City, advocates of casinos purposed that legalizing gambling would do just that. Atlantic City had been struggling financially and the appeal had worn off.
The process of legalizing gambling wasn’t easy or straight forward. The legislators needed the support in the form of a referendum. Little fundraising or grass-root campaigning was in place to get support before this question of legalizing gambling would be voted on. Also, there was plenty of adversaries, fears, and doubts that this idea would be the one that could turn things around. As a result, the referendum failed on its first attempt. "This initial referendum was defeated in 19 of New Jersey's 21 counties, with about 60% of votes cast against it" ("History of casino," 2006). After the first go-around, the proposal to legalize gambling needed an overhaul. The referendum was reworded to not only support gambling but also the elderly. As Johnson notes, “the language of the second referendum required the tax revenues generated from Atlantic City’s new casinos to be earmarked for a special fund....subsidizing the payment of utility bills and property taxes of New Jersey's senior citizens and handicapped persons (p.189). This new campaign along with the help of the “Committee to Rebuild Atlantic City (C.R.A.C) pushed this referendum of legalizing gambling to victory.
This referendum certainly accomplished what it was set out to do, it rejuvenated Atlantic City. The first casino that would open in Atlantic City was The Resorts International, which would be housed in the Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel (Johnson, p.201). Also, between 1977 and 1988, 12 casinos had been opened (Newburger, Sands & Wackes, p.VI). These casinos were the primary source of income and stimulated the economy. According to Newburger, Sands & Wackes, “the number of visitors has soared from 7 million in 1978 to between 30 and 35 million annually since 1988. The casinos have also provided more than 40,000 jobs (p. V). The casino industry truly dominates Atlantic City but that doesn’t necessarily mean it bodes well for all its citizens.
The process of legalizing gambling wasn’t easy or straight forward. The legislators needed the support in the form of a referendum. Little fundraising or grass-root campaigning was in place to get support before this question of legalizing gambling would be voted on. Also, there was plenty of adversaries, fears, and doubts that this idea would be the one that could turn things around. As a result, the referendum failed on its first attempt. "This initial referendum was defeated in 19 of New Jersey's 21 counties, with about 60% of votes cast against it" ("History of casino," 2006). After the first go-around, the proposal to legalize gambling needed an overhaul. The referendum was reworded to not only support gambling but also the elderly. As Johnson notes, “the language of the second referendum required the tax revenues generated from Atlantic City’s new casinos to be earmarked for a special fund....subsidizing the payment of utility bills and property taxes of New Jersey's senior citizens and handicapped persons (p.189). This new campaign along with the help of the “Committee to Rebuild Atlantic City (C.R.A.C) pushed this referendum of legalizing gambling to victory.
This referendum certainly accomplished what it was set out to do, it rejuvenated Atlantic City. The first casino that would open in Atlantic City was The Resorts International, which would be housed in the Chalfonte-Haddon Hall Hotel (Johnson, p.201). Also, between 1977 and 1988, 12 casinos had been opened (Newburger, Sands & Wackes, p.VI). These casinos were the primary source of income and stimulated the economy. According to Newburger, Sands & Wackes, “the number of visitors has soared from 7 million in 1978 to between 30 and 35 million annually since 1988. The casinos have also provided more than 40,000 jobs (p. V). The casino industry truly dominates Atlantic City but that doesn’t necessarily mean it bodes well for all its citizens.
While the the legalization of gambling has rejuvenated its tourist attraction, there are still some problems that still persist. According to Newburger, Sands & Wackes, “the city’s unemployment rate and its poverty rate are considerably higher than those of New Jersey and the nation” (p.13). Atlantic City needs to not only flourish with its tourists but also those who live there. More attention must be spent on also rejuvenation the community of Atlantic City and it’s residents. It will be a process, a lot how Atlantic City has been shaped.
“The new Atlantic City is in partnership with corporate America’s hotel and recreation investors, a fact that residents have yet to grasp fully. Once the community and the casino industry appreciate their relationship and understand their respective roles, Atlantic City will be positioned to reach full bloom. Working together, the experiment will succeed.” - Nelson Johnson (p.243)
“The new Atlantic City is in partnership with corporate America’s hotel and recreation investors, a fact that residents have yet to grasp fully. Once the community and the casino industry appreciate their relationship and understand their respective roles, Atlantic City will be positioned to reach full bloom. Working together, the experiment will succeed.” - Nelson Johnson (p.243)