Atlantic City Reopens, But No Smoking, Drinking or Eating

When Atlantic City’s nine casinos reopen after more than three months. it will be a very different experience from earlier in the year.

Most Atlantic City casinos are reopening in time for the July 4 weekend, though they’ll have to do it without indoor dining or drinking after Gov. Phil Murphy’s decision Monday to postpone the next step of reopening during the coronavirus. That means no smoking, drinking or eating at casinos.

New Jersey will allow casinos to open their doors tomorrow with a 25% limit on capacity, but the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is so far the only casino that has announced it will postpone opening because it will be unable to provide guests with the “special experience” they expect. The Resorts, Ocean, Tropicana and Golden Nugget casinos said they will reopen Thursday as planned.

Gov. Phil Murphy postponed indoor dining indefinitely in a late night announcement Monday, citing spikes in other states and scenes of crowds at Jersey Shore bars and restaurants disregarding social distancing. He clarified Tuesday that he wasn’t considering any exemptions for casinos.