Atlantic City's Resorts Casino Hotel to celebrate its 40th anniversary

Commemorating Resorts as the first casino-hotel in Atlantic City, NJ, the festivities will officially kick off on Friday, May 25 and take place through Monday, May 28, showcasing Resorts' renowned Beach Ball Drop, a live performance by the Village People and an awe-inspiring beachfront firework display, along with several throwback anniversary promotions and events throughout the holiday weekend.

"We are thrilled to kick off our anniversary celebration with an outstanding performance and summer event lineup; however, more importantly, honor our guests and employees who supported Resorts and the evolution of Atlantic City over the past 40 years," said President and CEO of Resorts Casino Hotel, Mark Giannantonio. "It is a privilege to be a part of the creation of gaming in Atlantic City, taking it from a small gambling town in 1978 to what it is today – a multi-faceted industry providing countless visitors with first-class retail, dining and entertainment experiences. Our 40th anniversary is a celebration of Resorts' success, and we look forward to commemorating this exciting time in our history by hosting three months of can't-miss entertainment and promotions."

As a Mohegan Sun property, Resorts Casino Hotel has been under the management of Mohegan Gaming & Entertainment since 2012, establishing a strategic partnership with Resorts owner Morris Bailey and one of the top casino operators in the country.

Over the past five years, Resorts has completed more than $100 million in renovations to reposition and transform the property into a vibrant destination with offerings beyond casino gaming. Major expansion milestones include:

• The $35 million Jimmy Buffett Margaritaville and Landshark Bar & Grill Entertainment Complex, which opened in May 2013
• The July 2014 opening of Quickbites Food Court
• A first-of-its-kind iGaming Lounge solely dedicated to the online gaming experience, which launched in April 2015
• A completely remodeled casino floor adding over 800 new slot machines
• A $5 million Conference Center, which opened in August 2015, adding 12,000-square-feet of meeting and event space to Resorts, featuring state-of-the-art technology with 90" LED 1080P monitors in every conference room and the ability for up to 500 meeting attendees to wirelessly connect simultaneously
• Additionally, this spring, Resorts Casino Hotel will complete the final phase of its $25 million room renovation featuring a completely revamped Ocean Tower with new bathrooms, furniture, windows and beautiful décor throughout. These latest enhancements contribute to the brand's emergence as a frontrunner in Atlantic City and continue providing visitors near and far with best-in-class accommodations with every visit.

Kicking off Memorial Day weekend, Resorts Casino Hotel will mark the unofficial start of summer with a full day of excitement starting Friday, May 25, including a live radio broadcast, fun games and giveaways, strolling boardwalk entertainment such as the Philadelphia Mummers, an appearance by the famous Resorts' Showgirls, a 40th anniversary birthday cake for guests to enjoy and much more. Guests will also have a chance to witness the reenactment of Atlantic City's legendary first roll of the dice at 2:00 p.m. on the casino floor, helping to transport them back to the time when gaming first became popular on the East Coast. Additionally, in true "AC" celebratory fashion, Resorts Casino Hotel will debut its special edition 40th anniversary gaming chips and Star Cards for rewards members over Memorial Day weekend.

Resorts' momentous birthday bash will take off at 5:00 p.m. on Friday evening during the annual Beach Ball Drop when thousands of beach balls are released along the Atlantic City boardwalk. Following, the celebration will move inside to Bar One for a nostalgic cocktail hour inspired by Resorts' 40-year history, where guests are invited to throw back popular cocktails from the late-1970's while enjoying music from the decade of disco.

On Saturday, May 26, guests will be invited to test their luck and take a pull on Atlantic City's very first slot machine between 10:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m. in the lobby of Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville for a chance to win up to $2,500 in slot cash. On Saturday evening, Resorts Casino Hotel will welcome the Village People to its Superstar Theater stage at 8:00 p.m. Also celebrating their 40th anniversary this year, the group's '70s pop hits like "Macho Man" and "Y.M.C.A" offer the perfect throwback vibes for guests to party through the milestone weekend. Capping off the weekend on Sunday evening, Resorts will showcase an unforgettable beachfront firework display by Grucci at 9:00 p.m.

Continuing the 40th-anniversary momentum all summer, Resorts Casino Hotel will host "Throwback Thursdays" at Bar One starting Thursday, May 31 and continuing through Thursday, August 30, from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. weekly. During the special event, guests will have the opportunity to experience the iconic history and nostalgia of Atlantic City with a throwback-themed cocktail menu, featuring $4 drinks including the Brandy Alexander, Grasshopper, Tom Collins and Harvey Wallbanger. As part of "Throwback Thursdays" at Resorts, guests can also listen to hit music from the late-1970's, check out historical photos and play trivia contests for the chance to win cool giveaways. Additionally, guests who present an old ticket stub from a past concert at Resorts Promotions Booth will be eligible to win a special anniversary prize.