From its founding, Atlantic City has always been about tourism. It was founded in the late 19th Century as a resort destination after railroad companies build track between Absecon Island (on which the City exists today) and Philadelphia. In its early days Atlantic City catered to urban workers from Philadelphia. The heyday for Atlantic City as a beach resort lasted through the first half of the 20th Century, when it fell out of favor. Atlantic City was revived after a state-wide referendum in 1976 legalized casino gambling in the city, and casinos began popping up along the boardwalk in 1978. http://wikitravel.org/en/Atlantic City