Published on: January 29, 2026, 10:54h.
Updated on: January 29, 2026, 11:03h.
- Atlantic City casinos acknowledge International Holocaust Remembrance Day this week
- All nine casinos illuminated their facades in yellow, the color associated with the Star of David worn during the Holocaust
If you found yourself in Atlantic City this week, you may have noticed the vibrant yellow lights adorning the casino resorts. The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) explained that this was a tribute to International Holocaust Remembrance Day.
Collaborating with the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University, all nine casinos in Atlantic City set their outdoor lights to yellow at dusk on Tuesday, January 27. This yellow hue symbolizes awareness of the Holocaust, representing the Star of David badges that Jews were compelled to wear during the Holocaust under Nazi rule.
“Atlantic City’s casinos are honored to join global communities in commemorating International Holocaust Remembrance Day on the 81st anniversary of Auschwitz’s liberation,” stated Mark Giannantonio, President of CANJ and Resorts Atlantic City. “As an industry, we take pride in illuminating our properties in yellow to remember the millions who perished in the Holocaust. This day serves as a poignant reminder of our collective duty to remember, educate, and ensure that such horrors are never repeated.”
Giannantonio, a graduate of Stockton, completed a course in Holocaust and Genocide Studies while attending the nearby university, which now features a campus in Atlantic City.
Solidarity Among Atlantic City Casinos
The initiative to recognize International Holocaust Remembrance Day in Atlantic City is relatively new, first launched last year. Irvin Moreno-Rodriguez, director of Stockton’s Holocaust Resource Center, approached Giannantonio in 2025 to suggest the yellow lighting.
Last January 27, seven of the nine casinos participated, with Borgata and Harrah’s being the exceptions.
“As the Atlantic City casinos present their yellow illumination, let us reflect on our duty to bring forth light from darkness,” said Moreno-Rodriguez. “In joining this worldwide observance of International Holocaust Remembrance Day, our casinos and the Sara and Sam Schoffer Holocaust Resource Center at Stockton University stand united to honor the millions of lives lost during the Holocaust and to advocate against antisemitism and all forms of hatred.”
New Jersey boasts the fourth-largest Jewish community in the United States, following New York, California, and Florida, with estimates ranging from 580K to 630K Jewish residents in the state.
Casino Philanthropy
In addition to Holocaust Remembrance, the Atlantic City casinos last October illuminated pink to promote Breast Cancer Awareness Month, encouraging dialogue about early detection and prevention.
Many casinos also contributed proceeds to the American Cancer Society from special promotions and themed drinks, including a pink cosmopolitan served at Resorts.
In September, casino staff participated in a Boardwalk walk for suicide prevention. The annual “Out of the Darkness Community Walk” has successfully raised over $1 million since its inception in 2020.