Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort | |
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View of Main Tower and Chairman Tower from the Boardwalk | |
Address | 1000 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, New Jersey |
Opening date | April 2, 1990 |
Theme | Taj Mahal, India |
No. of rooms | 2,248[1] |
Total gaming space | 167,321 sq ft (15,544.6 m2)[1] |
Signature attractions | Hard Rock Cafe Steel Pier Spice Road Shops |
Casino type | Land |
Owner | Trump Entertainment Resorts |
Operating license holder | Trump Taj Mahal Associates |
Previous names | Resorts Taj Mahal (pre-opening) |
Years renovated | 2008 |
Website | http://www.trumptaj.com |
The Trump Taj Mahal (known as the The Taj by locals) is located at 1000 Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States, in the casino area along the shore. The casino is one of two owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts. With approximately 75 regular tables and 14 tournament tables, the Taj Mahal has one of the largest poker rooms in Atlantic City, second in size only to the Borgata.
The casino was officially inaugurated in 1990, with Michael Jackson performing at the ceremonies, and was built at a total cost of nearly one billion dollars.
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Trump’s third property in Atlantic City, was wrapped in controversy prior to opening as it was part of the fight between Donald Trump and Merv Griffin along with Resorts Casino Hotel in 1988 over Resorts International. Resorts was developing and constructing the Resorts Taj Mahal Casino north of Resorts Casino Hotel on the boardwalk, but had run out of money and construction was stopped. Trump was attempting to buy the unfinished resort, along with Resorts, but Merv Griffin would not sell. Eventually, a deal was created between Trump and Griffin giving Griffin Resorts in Atlantic City and the Resorts Paradise Island with the unfinished Taj Mahal project going to Trump. The casino opened in 1990 as the Trump Taj Mahal and remained the largest and highest grossing casino in the city until the opening of the Borgata in 2003. The Chairman Tower opened in 2008, bringing the complex to over 2,000 rooms.
On May 27, 2009 Ray Kot, a casino shift manager was shot and killed by 57 year old Mark Magee of Norristown, Pennsylvania. Magee claims that he shot and killed Kot because casino executives at the Trump Taj Mahal had conspired to cheat players by manipulating the outcome of the table games.[2][3] On August 11, 2010 Magee was convicted of murder and is currently serving a minimum 30 year sentence at the New Jersey State Prison in Trenton,[4] he is tenatively scheduled to be released on May 28, 2039 at age 87.
On October 16, 2010 a small park on the Trump Taj Mahal property was created and dedicated to the memory of Ray Kot.
The poker room was featured in the 1998 movie Rounders.
Trump Taj Mahal, along with Trump Plaza, have a comp card similar to most casinos. The club has four levels:
Preceded by Bally's Atlantic City |
Tallest Building in Atlantic City 1990—2002 429 ft |
Succeeded by Borgata |
Preceded by The Water Club |
Tallest Building in Atlantic City 2008 470 ft |
Succeeded by Harrah's Waterfront Tower |
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