It Was 30 Years Ago Today . . .
Monday, May 26th, 2008Gambling came to the boards 30 years ago today. It was to revitalize Atlantic City.
I grew up in Cape May, about an hour south of AC. There was much buzz in 1978 when Resorts International opened. My parents (I suspect mostly my father) wanted to take in the fun. We did not go opening weekend, but I recall standing on line sometime during the summer.
Yes, we stood on line to throw money away in a casino. Unbelievable!
The casino scene was a lot different when Resorts was the only game in town. Gentlemen needed a jacket to enter. I do not recall a tie being required, but I am sure my father and I had one on.
Just as it is today, minors were not permitted on the floor. But as a young teenager, I made it in. My father was in a wheelchair. He explained that I was his attendant while my mother trailed behind acting as though she did not know us. I do not recall if my sister was with us or not (You are absent from many of my childhood memories. I do not know why that is, but so many of these events I cannot picture you present.).
This was definitely my first experience with a casino. I was fascinated with the sights. I recall my parents informing me there would be no windows or clocks in there. That was true. The rug was red and the lights were bolder than any arcade I had ever visited.
Dad played Blackjack. I do not recall the outcome. He wasn’t a big gambler, but as I recall, he did pretty well on the cruise we took. Hmmm . . . that was probably about the same time as our visit to Atlantic City.
Anyhow, 30 years later Atlantic City is still full of slums. Sure, the marina is better off. There is The Walk. There are many new casinos and building continues. But travel two blocks west of the casinos and I suspect no one reading this blog would be comfortable roaming around alone. Atlantic City is a poster of the haves and the have nots. After 30 years, it wasn’t supposed to be so pronounced.