Abstract: In 1976, New Jersey citizens passed a casino referendum, and during the first few months of 1977 lawmakers and state officials hammered out the details of the state's Casino Control Act. Resorts International bought the two buildings across the Boardwalk in 1976. The corporation then poured money into the casino referendum fight. Once the measure passed, the company spent a fortune buidling a casino which opened on May 26, 1978. Locals spotted the first clues about the reality of Atlantic City's devil's bargain of urban renewal through gambling, and for the first time in years there were jobs and there was hope in town. But even before Resorts opened its doors, a vicious land rush broke out.

Keywords: casinos, gambling, resorts, South Inlet, land rush, Resorts International, referendum, Casino Control Act,