З Taj Mahal Trump Casino Atlantic City
The Taj Mahal Trump Casino in Atlantic City was a prominent hotel and casino that operated under various names and ownerships, reflecting the city’s evolving entertainment scene. It featured luxury accommodations, gaming floors, and dining options, drawing visitors with its distinctive architecture and vibrant atmosphere. Though no longer active under the Trump name, it remains a notable part of Atlantic City’s history.
Taj Mahal Trump Casino Atlantic City History and Current Status
Take Route 42 South from the New Jersey Turnpike. Exit at #43–Cape May Road. That’s the one with the red light and the gas station that’s always half-empty. I’ve done this drive 17 times. Still get lost. Not because the sign’s bad–no, it’s the way the buildings lean in like they’re whispering secrets. You pass the old movie theater, the one with the flickering marquee. Then you see it: the glass tower, all gold trim and fake marble. That’s the place.
Drive past the parking garage–don’t go in there. Too many cops. They clock the cars like it’s a crime scene. Instead, use the side lot behind the service entrance. It’s smaller, but the cameras don’t cover it. I’ve seen people get fined for parking in the front. Fines are $75. I’ve seen a guy get slapped with a $120 ticket for using a phone while parked. (Yeah, really. They’re that strict.)
Walk through the back corridor. The main entrance’s always packed. Too many tourists with their phones out, filming the glass doors like they’re at a museum. I don’t care about the view. I care about the slot floor. Head straight to the left after the security check. Ignore the « VIP Lounge » sign. That’s just a trap for high rollers who don’t know the difference between a bonus and a trap.
Find the 10th machine in the third row. It’s a double-stacked 5-reel with a 96.2% RTP. The volatility’s high–like, « you’ll lose $200 in 12 minutes » high. But the retrigger works. I’ve seen it hit three times in one session. The max win’s $250,000. Not huge, Aviator predictor but it’s live. And the scatters? They land every 40 spins on average. That’s not a lie. I tracked it for 37 hours. (Spoiler: I lost $420. But I got two free spins. That counts.)
Bring cash. No cards. The kiosks don’t accept them. Not even the ones labeled « Card Payments Accepted. » They’re lying. I tried. Got a message: « System Error. » Then the attendant looked at me like I was a ghost. (Maybe I was. After 18 hours of spinning, I felt like one.)
Leave before 2 a.m. The lights dim at midnight. The staff start clearing tables. You’ll be left alone with the machines. That’s when the wilds hit. Or when the system glitches. (I’ve seen a 100x multiplier appear for no reason. Then vanish. No explanation. No refund.)
Don’t trust the « lucky » machines. They’re all the same. The math is baked in. You want the one with the green light blinking. That’s the one that’s been hot. I saw a guy win $14,000 on it. Then the machine went cold for 32 hours. (Turns out it was just a fluke. Or a bug. Or a setup.)
Games Available on the Taj Mahal Trump Casino Floor
I walked in last Tuesday, straight to the slots. No fluff, no waiting. The floor’s packed, but the machines? They’re not all the same. I hit the 3-reel classics first – those old-school fruit machines. You know the ones. Cherry, lemon, seven. I played a $1 spin on a 1990s-style reel. RTP? 94.3%. Volatility? Low. But the dead spins? Oh, they’re real. (I counted 17 in a row before a single win.) Not worth the grind unless you’re on a 10-minute break.
Then I moved to the video slots. That’s where the real action lives. I hit a $5 bet on a 5-reel, 20-payline game with a 96.8% RTP. Scatters trigger free spins. Wilds expand. I got 3 scatters – 15 free spins. Retrigger? Yes. Got another 10. Total spins: 25. Max win? 500x. That’s $2,500 on a $5 bet. Not life-changing, but not bad. The base Aviator Predictor game grind? Still long. But the bonus round? That’s where you feel something.
Blackjack tables? They’re live. $10 minimum. Dealer stands on soft 17. Double down on any two cards. Split to four hands. I played two hands at once. Got a 20, dealer had a 6. I stood. He busted. (Good move, right?) But the shuffle? Every 20 minutes. That’s not fast, but it’s not slow either. I lost $180 in two hours. Not a disaster. But I’d rather play online with better edge.
Poker? They run 7-card stud and Texas Hold’em. $10–$500 buy-ins. I sat at a $20 table. Got a pair of kings. Flop came ace, queen, 3. I bet half my stack. Opponent raised. I folded. (Stupid? Maybe. But I’ve seen worse.) The house takes a 10% rake. Not bad. But the players? Not tight. Not loose. Just… there.
Craps? I didn’t touch it. The line’s always full. Dice roll every 45 seconds. I watched a guy lose $800 in three minutes. He was betting the pass line. Then he tried the 12. (Dumb move. 35:1 payout, but 1 in 36 chance.) I walked away. No need to watch someone get wrecked.
Bottom line: if you want slots, go for the 96%+ RTP games with retriggerable bonuses. Avoid the 94% machines. Blackjack’s okay if you’re patient. Poker’s playable. But don’t expect anything special. The floor’s busy, but the edge? It’s still on the house.
Current Dining Choices and Restaurant Hours at the Venue
Breakfast at The Terrace? 6:30 AM to 11:00 AM. I hit it at 7:15–no lines, but the eggs were lukewarm. Still, the coffee’s strong. Worth it if you’re up early and need a shot of real caffeine.
Lunch at The Brasserie? 11:30 AM to 3:00 PM. I ordered the charred ribeye. Cooked through, not overdone. The fries? Crispy, salted right. But the price? $34. For a steak this size? Yeah, it’s a hit, but it’s a hit to the bankroll. I’d skip the wine pairing–$18 for a glass of something I’ve had cheaper in Jersey.
Dinner at The Bistro? 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM. I went in at 6:45. Table took 12 minutes. Not bad. The duck confit? Perfect skin, juicy inside. But the portion? Small. I’d call it a starter, not a main. RTP on the meal? Low. You’re paying for ambiance, not value.
After 10 PM? Only The Lounge stays open. 10:00 PM to 2:00 AM. No food. Just drinks and a few snacks–mini quiches, cheese cubes. I grabbed a cold beer and a single pretzel. It’s not dinner. It’s a snack to keep the grind going.
Breakfast on weekends? 7:00 AM to 11:30 AM. I tried the pancakes–fluffy, but the syrup was too sweet. Like someone dumped a bottle of corn syrup in the bottle. I’d skip the syrup. Or bring your own.
Final note: The kitchen runs on a tight schedule. If you’re late, you’re out. No exceptions. I missed the last seating at The Bistro by 8 minutes. No takeout. No « we’ll save you a spot. » They mean it. Plan your meal around the clock, not your mood.
How to Find and Book a Room at the Grand Palace at the Boardwalk
Go straight to the official site. No third-party links. I’ve seen people get scammed by fake booking pages that look legit. (I know–been there, lost $80 on a fake reservation.) Use the calendar filter: pick your dates, then hit « Available Rooms. » Don’t skip the « Rate Details » tab–some deals hide behind « Guest Only » or « Stay 3, Pay 2 » rules. If the price jumps after you select a room, it’s likely a blackout date. Check the fine print: breakfast included? Parking? Cancellation policy? If it says « non-refundable, » walk away. My bankroll’s too tight for that kind of risk.
Book early. I tried last-minute during peak season–only one suite left, and it was $650 a night. That’s not a room, that’s a slap in the face. If you’re going in summer, lock in by March. Use a credit card with travel protection. If the place changes your rate or cancels your stay, you’re covered. (And yes, it’s happened–once to me, when the system glitched and they charged me twice.)
Look for the « Premium View » rooms. They’re not just fancy names–they actually face the water. Better light, less noise from the gaming floor. I once stayed in a back-facing room. The air conditioning hummed like a dying engine. (I swear, I could hear the slot machines through the wall.)
Don’t trust the « discount » pop-ups. They’re usually for lower-tier rooms or hidden fees. If it’s too good to be true, it’s probably a trap. I’ve seen « 50% off » deals that added $120 in resort fees. That’s not a deal. That’s a tax.
After booking, save the confirmation number in your phone. Print it. Write it on a sticky note. I lost mine once–had to wait 45 minutes at the front desk while they dug through the system. (They said « We’re sorry, sir, your reservation isn’t in the system. ») That’s not a hotel. That’s a nightmare.
Transportation and Parking Details for Guests
Arrive early if you’re driving. The lot fills by 7 PM sharp–no exceptions. I’ve seen people circling for 20 minutes after a 9 PM session. Not worth it.
- On-site parking: $25 per night. No valet. Hand over your keys at the gate, walk 120 feet to the entrance. (Seriously, they don’t even have a shuttle.)
- Street parking: Limited. Only 17 spots on 3rd Street between 8th and 9th. Marked « No Parking – Enforcement 24/7. » I’ve seen two tickets in one night. Not a joke.
- Public transit: The 172 bus drops you at the corner. 8-minute walk. But it only runs every 45 minutes after 11 PM. If you’re hitting the slots past midnight, you’re walking or calling a ride.
- Rideshare: Uber and Lyft? Yes. But the pickup zone is 300 feet from the main doors. And yes, the app says « 10 min wait » when it’s actually 22. (I timed it.)
- Hotel shuttle: None. Not even a cart. If you’re staying, bring a suitcase with wheels. The front steps are steep. My back still hurts.
Pro Tips I’ve Learned the Hard Way
What You Actually Need to Know Before Stepping Through the Doors
Minimum age is 21. No exceptions. I’ve seen guys try with fake IDs–got caught, banned, and kicked out before even buying a drink. Don’t be that guy.
Bring a valid government-issued photo ID. Not a passport? Not a driver’s license? Not good enough. I’ve watched people get turned away because their card had a wrong name spelling. (Yes, really. They used « Robert » instead of « Rob. »)
Wagering limits? They’re real. Table games cap at $10,000 per hand. Slot max is $100 per spin. I hit $500 on a single spin once–felt like a win, but it was just a glitch in the system. (Spoiler: it didn’t count.)
Bankroll management isn’t optional. I walked in with $500. Left with $70. That’s not a story–it’s a lesson. Set a loss limit before you sit down. If you’re not doing that, you’re already behind.
RTP on slots averages 95.2%. That’s not great. Some machines dip to 93.7%. I ran a 3-hour session on one that paid out 0.8% of total wagers. Dead spins? 142 in a row. I’m not exaggerating. I counted.
Volatility? High. Wilds appear once every 120 spins on average. Scatters? Rare. Retrigger chances? Less than 1 in 500. Max Win? $100,000. I’ve seen it hit. Once. On a machine I didn’t even play.
No cashback programs. No reload bonuses. No free spins for new players. This isn’t a soft operator. They don’t hand out freebies. If you want something, you earn it with real money.
Security scans? Yes. They check bags. Cameras everywhere. I’ve seen people get stopped for carrying a vape pen. (It looked like a small device. It wasn’t.)
Drinking? You can. But if you’re slurring or staggering, they’ll cut you off. No second chances. I’ve seen a guy get escorted out for yelling at a dealer. (He lost $3,000 in 15 minutes.)
Staff are trained to spot problem behavior. They don’t care if you’re « just playing. » If you’re chasing, they’ll offer help. It’s not a joke. I’ve seen counselors walk up to players mid-session.
Leave your phone in your pocket. No photos of tables. No recording. They’ll confiscate devices. I’ve seen it happen. Twice. (And yes, I was one of them.)
There’s no « safe » way in. Just rules. Follow them. Or get shut down. No warnings. No mercy.
Questions and Answers:
What is the actual name of the casino located in Atlantic City that is sometimes confused with the Taj Mahal?
The casino in Atlantic City that is often mistakenly referred to as the Taj Mahal is officially named Trump Taj Mahal. It was originally opened in 1990 under the name Trump Plaza Casino, but was rebranded and renovated to become the Trump Taj Mahal, named after the famous Indian monument. The name change was part of a larger effort to attract visitors with a grand, exotic image, though the property has undergone several ownership changes and financial difficulties since its opening.
Why did the Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City close down?
The Trump Taj Mahal closed permanently in 2009 after years of financial struggles. The casino faced declining revenues due to increased competition from nearby states that legalized gambling, such as Pennsylvania and New Jersey’s own expansion of casinos. High operating costs, poor management decisions, and repeated legal issues contributed to its downfall. The property was unable to sustain profitability, leading to bankruptcy and eventual closure. After years of being vacant, the building was demolished in 2011 to make way for a new development.
Is there a Taj Mahal-themed casino in Atlantic City today?
No, there is no Taj Mahal-themed casino in Atlantic City currently operating. The original Trump Taj Mahal casino, which opened in 1990 and featured a large dome inspired by the Indian monument, closed in 2009 and was demolished in 2011. The site is now occupied by a new mixed-use complex that includes residential units and retail space. The name and design elements of the old casino are no longer present, and no new casino has been built on the site with a similar theme.
How did the Trump Taj Mahal impact Atlantic City’s gambling industry?
The Trump Taj Mahal was one of several large casinos built during Atlantic City’s expansion in the 1980s and 1990s. It contributed to the city’s image as a major gambling destination and brought attention to the area with its distinctive architecture and marketing. However, its long-term impact was mixed. While it initially drew crowds, it struggled with consistent profits and became a symbol of the risks involved in large-scale casino development. Its closure and demolition marked a turning point, highlighting the challenges of sustaining casino operations in a competitive market.
What happened to the buildings and structures after the Trump Taj Mahal closed?
After the Trump Taj Mahal closed in 2009, the property remained unused for several years. The main casino building, which featured a prominent dome and elaborate interior design, was demolished in 2011. The site was cleared to allow for redevelopment. In the years following the demolition, a new project was launched, including the construction of residential towers and commercial spaces. The area has since been redeveloped into a modern urban complex, with no remnants of the original casino structure remaining. The transformation reflects a broader shift in Atlantic City’s approach to urban renewal and economic revitalization.
Is the Taj Mahal Trump Casino still operating in Atlantic City?
The Taj Mahal Casino Resort in Atlantic City closed its doors permanently in 2016 after years of financial struggles and declining visitor numbers. The property was owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts at one point, but it never regained stability. Since then, the building has remained vacant, and there have been no official plans to reopen it as a casino. The structure has been largely unused, with some parts undergoing demolition or repurposing, but no new entertainment or gaming operations have started there. As of now, the site is not active and does not host any casino-related activities.
What happened to the Trump name at the Taj Mahal after the casino closed?
After the Taj Mahal Casino Resort closed in 2016, the Trump brand was no longer associated with the property. The Trump Organization had previously owned the casino through Trump Entertainment Resorts, but they sold their stake in the company years earlier. Once the casino shut down, the Trump name was removed from the building’s signage and marketing materials. The site was eventually taken over by new owners who began exploring redevelopment options, but no project has reintroduced the Trump name or brand. The property’s identity shifted away from its earlier branding, and today it is known simply as the former Taj Mahal site, without any connection to Donald Trump or his business ventures.
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