The government economist writing about the Atlantic City area's economy in 1978 for New Jersey's Labor Department could scarcely contain the good tidings after the first casino opened (Resorts International). Casino development had brought a clear energy to the region, measured not just in terms of early, stratospheric casino revenue, but also in economic rippling through industries such as construction and transportation throughout Atlantic County. From the otherwise dreary semi-annual labour report came the exciting news:

Things were changing along the Boardwalk, and this was for the good of the region:

On opening day, a line to get into Resorts stretched along the Boardwalk for blocks as the casino opened with Steve Lawrence and Eydie Gorme headlining the entertainment. Lawrence made the first bet, a $10 play on the craps table, but did not win. That did not stop the crowd, which waited patiently in line on the Boardwalk with signs advertising ‘Waiting Time 2 Hour’ and the like, as they slowly made it into the casino. The Boardwalk line was six blocks long. Crowding was a problem for a city that only had 50,000 parking spaces, but expected 150,000 cars per day. Within six days, the casinos made a record $2.9 million. On 27 May 1978, the banner headline of the Press of Atlantic City captured the mood well with a sly double-entendre: ‘Queen of Resorts Reigns Again’. Now the action had really begun, and Atlantic City would no more be the place where, as one comedian joked in 1970, ‘Every Friday night we shop till ten at the supermarket’.