The legislature made most types of gambling illegal, but horse racing remained legal. This went on until 1931 when gambling was legalized in Nevada and Las Vegas. After the popularity and huge impact that they had on the economy became known, many other states began legalizing gambling.The state legislatures saw the economic benefits of legalizing casinos. The benefits they saw were increased employment, greater tax revenue to the state and local governments, and growth to the local retail stores. In 1976, the state of New Jersey legalized gambling and then less than two years after, singer Steve Lawrence, accompanied by Gov. Brendan Byrne and other dignitaries, tossed the dice at Resorts Casino Hotel to open New Jersey’s first legal gaming hall on May 26, 1978. Resorts Casino Hotel became the first legal casino outside of Nevada in the United States. “Today, Atlantic City is the second biggest gambling city in America. Some of the other popular gaming destinations in America include Mississippi, Tunica Resorts and Biloxi in Gulf, Coast area.” (Casino History,
The legislature made most types of gambling illegal, but horse racing remained legal. This went on until 1931 when gambling was legalized in Nevada and Las Vegas. After the popularity and huge impact that they had on the economy became known, many other states began legalizing gambling.The state legislatures saw the economic benefits of legalizing casinos. The benefits they saw were increased employment, greater tax revenue to the state and local governments, and growth to the local retail stores. In 1976, the state of New Jersey legalized gambling and then less than two years after, singer Steve Lawrence, accompanied by Gov. Brendan Byrne and other dignitaries, tossed the dice at Resorts Casino Hotel to open New Jersey’s first legal gaming hall on May 26, 1978. Resorts Casino Hotel became the first legal casino outside of Nevada in the United States. “Today, Atlantic City is the second biggest gambling city in America. Some of the other popular gaming destinations in America include Mississippi, Tunica Resorts and Biloxi in Gulf, Coast area.” (Casino History,