Borgata Changes the Scene

It's been a while since Atlantic City embarked on an endeavor involving a serious investment in building some new casinos in the region, but finally, the first in 13 years was built there, and there was much talk about showing Vegas who the real deal is when it comes to the gambling business. Today, months after the opening, there are billions of dollars in development in Atlantic City, and credit goes to the "Borgata effect" as the primary catalyst for change.

Back then, Las Vegas, the older and more developed sibling had become more of a tourist destination and perfect for families. Of course gambling was the name of the game and that was the reason Vegas was, and still is more popular and profitable than ever. But the Borgata enterprise wished to finally claim back Atlantic City's days of glory and transform its image from the place people go when they cannot afford to visit their favorite venues in Vegas, to a place where one can wine, dine, dance, golf and gamble. It was all about creating a new and improved gambling environment.

The Borgata turned out to be Atlantic City's king and winning card. The complex sports 300-thread-count sheets, gold-tinted exterior windows and 13 Dale Chihuly glass chandeliers around the hotel. Boyd Gaming and MGM Mirage have spent $1.1 billion on the new casino which holds the recently opened Bobby Flay Steak, Wolfgang Puck's American Grille and Michael Mina's Seablue, as well as 11 other restaurants, Spa Toccare, and a 161,000-square-foot buildingthat includes Atlantic City's largest poker room. Together with their 43 stories and 2000 rooms, they have become largest hotel in New Jersey and have proved that the investment was a wise one.