Ocean Resort Atlantic City, officially Ocean Casino Resort, is an oceanfront casino hotel at the northern end of Atlantic City’s Boardwalk. Its strongest draw is the combination of substantial gaming, ocean-facing accommodations, dining, and entertainment in one resort. I think it makes more sense as an overnight beach-and-casino getaway than a quick gambling stop. The trade-off is its size and location: expect walking within the property, and do not assume it offers the easiest route between several casinos.
Ocean Casino Resort: quick facts
| Feature | What to know |
|---|---|
| Address | 500 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ 08401 |
| Property type | Oceanfront casino resort |
| Casino hours | 24 hours daily; individual venues have separate schedules |
| Minimum gambling age | 21 |
| Slots | Approximately 1,848, reported in September 2024 |
| Table games | 133 reported in September 2024; not all necessarily open at once |
| Poker room | No |
| Retail sportsbook | Yes |
| Hotel | Approximately 1,860 rooms and suites, reported in September 2024 |
| Check-in / checkout | 4 p.m. / 11 a.m.; follow your reservation terms |
| Smoking | Designated smoking areas; not a completely smoke-free resort |
| Rewards program | Ocean Rewards |
| Phone | 609-783-8000 |
| Official website | Ocean Casino Resort |
The gaming and room counts are dated regulatory figures, not guarantees of today’s inventory or availability.
What kind of casino is Ocean?
Ocean is a full resort, not simply a gambling floor with somewhere to sleep. Its glass tower, oceanfront position, elevated public spaces, and extensive facilities make the building part of the attraction.
The former Revel property reopened as Ocean in June 2018. Ocean’s September 2024 regulatory filing describes a 20-acre oceanfront property with more than 6.4 million square feet of building space. That figure covers the entire complex, not the casino floor.
My take is that Ocean’s size works best when you settle in. Having your room, dinner, entertainment, and gambling in one resort can simplify a weekend. It is less helpful when you just want to park, play briefly, and leave.
The northern Boardwalk location adds another trade-off. Beach and Boardwalk access are part of the appeal, but Ocean is not in the middle of every casino or restaurant you might want to visit. Our New Jersey casino guide can help you compare alternatives.
Casino floor and gaming
Ocean reported approximately 1,848 slots and 133 table games in September 2024, giving it substantial gaming variety alongside its retail sportsbook. That breadth is useful for groups whose members prefer different games.
Those totals do not tell you how many tables will be staffed, what their minimums will be, or whether your favorite machine is still there. I would choose Ocean for its overall selection, then check any must-have game separately.
Slots and video poker
The machine mix includes traditional reel-style games, video slots, progressives, and video poker. Titles and denominations change, so knowing what to check on the machine is more useful than relying on a fixed list of cabinets.
Check the total wager before pressing the button. A penny denomination does not mean a penny bet, especially on games requiring multiple credits or many active lines. For video poker, read the pay table rather than choosing solely by the game’s name.
I would ignore claims that a machine is due or that an unlucky visit proves the casino has tight slots. Recent results and a guest’s gambling luck do not tell you what the next spin will do.
Table games
The core choices include blackjack, craps, roulette, and baccarat, along with specialty table games. Availability varies by shift, and a listed game is not a promise of an open seat at your preferred limit.
Do not build a trip around a remembered low minimum. Read the posted limits before buying in. For blackjack, check the payout and rules; for roulette, check the wheel format. Those details matter more to the cost of playing than the décor.
Does Ocean have a poker room?
No. Ocean has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room. Video poker and poker-themed casino table games are different from conventional cash games and poker tournaments.
Ocean’s retail sportsbook
Ocean has an on-property retail sportsbook. Its regulatory filing documents a change to third-party operation and a reopening under new branding on September 5, 2024. Check the current betting-counter schedule rather than assuming it follows the casino’s around-the-clock hours.
The venue’s history helps explain its appeal. The New Jersey Casino Control Commission’s 2023 annual report described Ocean’s then-branded Gallery Bar, Book & Games as a 12,000-square-foot venue combining sports viewing, an elevated bar, blackjack, roulette, and slots. Think sports-and-casino gathering place rather than just a betting counter.
How its published footprint compared
Using those published 2023 venue areas, Ocean’s sportsbook was 4,000 square feet larger than Borgata’s and 2.4 times the area of Resorts’ book. Caesars Atlantic City’s sportsbook was larger than Ocean’s by 3,200 square feet. These are historical comparisons, not descriptions of current layouts.
The setup matters more than the size contest. That report described Borgata’s sportsbook as entirely nonsmoking and Caesars as offering private Fan Caves, while Ocean combined sports viewing with casino games. I would choose by the atmosphere and seating arrangement I wanted, not assume a larger footprint guarantees a better view or faster service.
For a major game, ask about seating before arriving. Allow time to place wagers, keep paper tickets secure, and understand the redemption terms before heading home.
Hotel rooms and booking costs
Ocean reported approximately 1,860 rooms and suites in September 2024. King rooms, two-queen accommodations, and larger suites offer options for different parties, while the oceanfront setting gives the hotel an attraction beyond proximity to the casino.
Floor-to-ceiling windows are part of the appeal, but read what your particular room category promises. An oceanfront building and an unobstructed ocean view are not interchangeable booking terms.
For a trip spent mostly downstairs or outside, I would lean toward a standard room and keep the difference for meals or entertainment. A suite makes more sense if you will use the additional living space.
Check-in is listed at 4 p.m., with checkout at 11 a.m. Follow your confirmation, and do not count on room access simply because you arrive early.
Compare the complete stay total
Look beyond the headline room rate. Compare taxes, mandatory hotel charges, parking, and any extras you intend to buy. A complimentary room offer deserves the same scrutiny as a paid reservation.
Your itinerary matters, too. Staying at Ocean can remove some trips between your hotel, dinner, and entertainment. Conversely, a lower room rate loses appeal if most of your plans are elsewhere and you repeatedly pay for transportation.
Review the incidental deposit and cancellation deadline. A temporary card hold affects available spending money even when it is not a final charge. Flexible rates, prepaid bookings, and promotional packages can have different rules, so read the hotel’s booking terms alongside the conditions on your reservation.
Restaurants and bars
Ocean’s dining range supports an overnight stay, with choices for a planned dinner, breakfast or brunch, and quicker meals between activities.
- Amada: Spanish cooking and tapas, particularly suited to sharing dishes.
- Dolce Mare: Italian dining for a sit-down dinner.
- Harper’s: Breakfast and brunch when coffee and a pastry will not do.
- Makai: A more casual restaurant option.
- Quick-service outlets: Coffee, snacks, and meals that need not become the evening’s main event.
I would reserve the dinner that matters most, especially around a show, and leave less important meals flexible. Check individual venue hours: an all-night casino does not mean every kitchen serves all night.
Look at menus before committing to several meals on-site. Convenience has value, but it is not the same as inexpensive dining. Approach Ocean as a collection of individual restaurants rather than a traditional casino buffet destination.
Pools, spa, and entertainment
The Eclipse indoor/outdoor pool, spa, Topgolf Swing Suite, nightlife, and scheduled entertainment give non-gamblers reasons to join the trip. Ovation Hall can also make Ocean a practical overnight choice when a concert is the main attraction.
Check pool access rules for the ages in your party, along with seasonal schedules and restrictions. If a spa appointment or entertainment venue is essential, secure it before treating the room reservation as the finished plan.
For a concert trip, I would choose the event first and compare the complete room and transportation cost afterward. Sleeping in the same resort as the show can be worth paying for, but it still needs to fit the budget.
Parking, transportation, and practical advice
The address is 500 Boardwalk. Drivers should follow garage or valet directions rather than aim for the pedestrian Boardwalk as a vehicle entrance. Use Ocean’s directions and parking information to plan the approach.
Check the parking charge, qualifying rewards benefits, and reentry terms. Garage and valet arrangements can differ. Once parked, note your level and elevator location. In a building this size, that small habit can save an irritating search later.
A car is not essential if your plans stay within the resort and along the Boardwalk. Airport and rail arrivals still require an onward transfer, however, and a multi-casino itinerary may justify a taxi or rideshare budget. A pleasant walk in good weather can be a different proposition in wind or rain.
Smoking and accessibility
Ocean is not completely smoke-free. Smoking is permitted in designated casino areas, so booking a nonsmoking room does not make the entire resort a smoke-free environment. Take that distinction seriously if smoke sensitivity is central to your hotel choice.
For accessible accommodation, request the specific features you need rather than relying on a general room label. Distances between the garage, rooms, restaurants, and gaming areas also matter for visitors with limited mobility or stamina. Discuss those needs before choosing a room.
You must be at least 21 to gamble. Bring valid identification, and consult the property’s frequently asked questions for other policies relevant to your party.
Ocean Rewards
Ocean Rewards is the property’s loyalty program. If you already intend to gamble, joining before playing is sensible. Use your card at machines, present it when requesting rated table play, and ask which purchases qualify under current rules.
My rule is simple: collect benefits from the gambling you planned to do, not the other way around. Ocean’s regulatory filing describes complimentary lodging, meals, and other services as incentives for additional gaming spending. A room offer can be useful, but extra losses chasing it can turn that benefit into an expensive purchase.
Who Ocean is best for
Ocean best suits couples and groups who want an oceanfront hotel, substantial gaming, dining, and entertainment in one resort, with enough to do to justify an overnight stay. I would choose it for that complete getaway, especially when a show or sports-viewing plan anchors the trip, rather than for a quick casino stop. Visitors who prioritize short walks, easy casino-hopping, or a completely smoke-free environment should compare alternatives, while budget-minded travelers should judge the full stay total rather than the advertised room rate.
Frequently asked questions
Are Ocean Resort Atlantic City and Ocean Casino Resort the same property?
Yes. Both names refer to Ocean Casino Resort at 500 Boardwalk in Atlantic City.
Is Ocean’s casino open 24 hours?
Yes. The casino operates 24 hours daily. Restaurants, the sportsbook counter, pools, and other venues keep separate schedules.
Does Ocean have a sportsbook?
Yes. Ocean has an on-property retail sportsbook. Check its current counter hours and seating arrangements before planning around a particular game.
Does Ocean have a poker room?
No. Ocean has no dedicated player-versus-player poker room. Video poker and poker-themed table games are different offerings.
How old do you have to be to gamble at Ocean?
You must be at least 21. Bring valid identification.
Does Ocean have a pool?
Yes. Its facilities include the Eclipse indoor/outdoor pool. Check access rules and schedules for your travel dates.
What should I check before booking a room?
Review the complete price, mandatory charges, parking terms, incidental deposit, cancellation deadline, promised view, and access to any amenity essential to your trip.
Sources and planning information
Gaming and room counts reflect Ocean’s September 2024 regulatory filing. Sportsbook comparisons use published 2023 venue descriptions, not current layout or seating guarantees. Use the property pages linked above for changing prices, schedules, and reservation conditions.
Poker room and sportsbook
There is no dedicated poker room.