Investors poured money into Atlantic City, building establishments such as Bally's, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Harrah's and Tropicana. Who can forget Rain Man, Casino, Ocean's Eleven or Viva Las Vegas? However, when gambling was legalised in New Jersey, then Las Vegas was given a real run for its money. Its association with the gambling industry has been made the stuff of legends through film and media. Las Vegas has been a centre for casino gaming for decades, and its name is synonymous with gambling. You could just as easily go to either place for shopping, spa and wellness treatments, big music concerts, or for the nightlife. The hotel casino megaresorts that you can find in Vegas and Atlantic City are packed with facilities. The rivalry between the two dates back to the late 1970s, just after gambling was legalised in New Jersey.īoth cities draw in tourists in their hordes, and they do not only come for the gaming. Both cities have built reputations as gaming capitals, where players can go and try their luck to win life-changing sums of money. Atlantic City vs Las Vegas is the East Side vs West Side casino battle in the USA.