In December 2012, New Jersey passed legislation that legalized online gambling for Atlantic City casinos and statewide gamblers. A law passed by popular vote in 1976 gives Atlantic City a monopoly over New Jersey casino gambling. Two years later, New Jersey voters voted against legalizing casino gambling in the state but limited it to Atlantic City. In 1976, people were optimistic and actively voted to authorize casinos in Atlantic City after a bill to allow legal gambling in state casinos was rejected in 1974. The first Atlantic City casino officially opened a few years later after the residents voted to legalize gambling in 1976. After passing the 1976 casino gambling referendum, Atlantic City began a battle for a competitive edge not unlike the one that began two hundred years ago to use the magnificent resources nature had given it to become a world-famous tourist once again Mecca.
