What Happened To Atlantic City?

Atlantic city was the inspiration for the board game Monopoly and they share a number of similarities. Both waste your time, can tear families apart, and leave you with less than you started with.

In it's heyday Atlantic City was the place to party

Via wordpress.com

"People bought tickets for buffets they had no intention of eating, just to sneak inside the casino earlier than the rest. Men relieved themselves into plastic coin cups to avoid losing their spot at the tables by going to restrooms. And cash - more than anyone had ever seen and more than management could imagine - flooded into the counting room, to the point that it took nearly an entire day to count it," according to the Associated Press.

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The city dubbed itself "the world's playground" during the prohibition, which was generally not enforced in the city. Women, jazz, booze and money were easy to come by, it was everything you see in Boardwalk Empire and more.

Then, starting in 1978 the gambling industry revitalized the city, breathing new life into the tourism industry

Via wordpress.com

Money was pouring in, but with a greater influx of money came a rise in crime and a heavy toll on city infrastructure.

Five of the last nine mayors of AC have plead guilty to crimes

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Ranging from corruption to illegally collecting veterans' benefits according to USA Today.

Tourists aren't pouring into the city like they used to

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The city was built up around gambling and little else, as a result families are spending their vacations in places that offer more recreation for kids.

Plus a number of visitors claim they don't feel safe outside of the casinos

Via cutearoo.com

Many of the poor reviews on Travelocity mention drug users, overall rudeness and a lack of police presence--especially on the boardwalk--as a huge turnoff.

Even worse, recently inside the casinos doesn't seem to be any safer

Via blogger.com

Visitors of Harrah's casino have literally been beaten up by security staff with injuries ranging from bruises to broken bones.

The city is now a shadow of it's former self

Via carolsferals.org

In 2012 construction was finished on Revel, Atlantic Cities newest casino and it was heralded as a turning point for the city. On June 19 the casino filed for bankruptcy for a second time and is facing a complete shutdown in September if no buyers step forward.

It's hard to say what the future holds for Atlantic City

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But it's clear the city is in dire need of revitalization, it can no longer sustain itself with gambling and the boardwalk.