In the United States, land based casinos can be found all over the country. Most overseas visitors will head to one of two gambling cities. The first and most popular of them all is Las Vegas followed by Atlantic City. For overseas visitors and local tourists, visiting a land based casino greatly depends on where you are situated. If you are based in New York or New Jersey, then Atlantic City is the perfect place to go. Located just 2 hours away from New York, Atlantic City is a resort city known for its land based casinos, its boardwalk and its beaches. The Showboat Atlantic City was one of the major casino to grace the skyline of the city for many years.
The Origins of the Showboat
The origins of the popular casino date back to 1987 when the Showboat Hotel, Casino and Bowling Centre Opened in March of the same year. The casino itself featured 60,000 square feet of space with slots and table games. The bowling alley consisted of 60 lanes and was immedicably popular with visitors. The Showboat complex was built on land leased from Resorts International at 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey, USA. The location was just north of the Resorts Taj Mahal building which was still under construction at the time. The Showboat Atlantic City featured a grand opening where Bob Hope headlined the entertainment.
The Casino
The casino itself featured a full range of slots and table games that catered for all types of players. Their range of slot games included classic Vegas-style slots, fruit slots as well as progressive slot games and latest video slot games. Their range of table and card games included table poker, blackjack, craps, roulette, baccarat, Texas Hold’em poker and more. In 1993, the Showboat Atlantic City opened the city’s first race book facility following the legalisation of simulcast wagering in 1990.
Renovations and a New Hotel Tower
In 1995, the casino complex underwent a renovation that gave the casino complex the famous Mardi Gras theme. In 1998, the properties parent company was purchased by Harrah’s Entertainment which is now called Caesars Entertainment. It was in 2001 that the Showboat Atlantic City bowling alley was closed down due to waning popularity. The space was used to build a new buffet area and a coffee shop. In 2003, the property added a 544 room hotel tower costing $90 million. The tower was called the Orleans Tower.
The Sale of the Property
During operation the Showboat Hotel offers luxury accommodation in a variety of rooms and suites. The complex also featured a 3,500 square-foot spa, a fully equipped fitness centre as well as a swimming pool and two gift shops. When it came to dining options, the Showboat Atlantic City housed a total of 11 restaurants and eateries all located on the property. Some of the most notable restaurants included the House of Blues and Johnny Rockets. In June of 2014, Caesars Entertainment announced plans to close the Showboat. In December of the same year, the property was sold to Stockton University for $18 million. The university has plans to develop a full-service residential campus on the site.
