However, back when the $2-billion Revel casino failed in 2014 (the same year the Showboat shut down) there were calls to find ways outside of gaming to stimulate Atlantic City's economy to avoid the fallout of neighboring states opening their own casinos.

Las Vegas, the West Coast's closest comparison to Atlantic City, has economic issues of its own but continues to thrive in ways that the New Jersey destination has failed. The reopening of the Showboat is a good sign for a city that runs on gaming, but whose casinos have been failing one by one.

The hotel also has two 1,900-square-foot super suites that have an added gas fireplace. The property is shedding its past life as a center for gaming and is operating entirely as a hotel, and is opening with 852 oceanfront rooms and 38 1,100-square-foot oceanfront balcony suites. The Showboat Casino in Atlantic City, N.J., shut down two years ago and is reopening as a hotel.īart Blatstein, a Philadelphia developer, said in a statement that the building is holding on to the Showboat name but is no longer offering casino games.