Published on: May 11, 2026, 09:14h.
Updated on: May 11, 2026, 09:14h.
- The Garden Pier in Atlantic City is undergoing redevelopment into a family-centered venue
- This initiative is led by Bart Blatstein, the owner of Showboat
Atlantic City is on track for a remarkable summer, with newly renovated casinos and rejuvenated beaches. There’s a wider variety of family activities than ever before.
More family-friendly attractions are on the horizon. This upcoming project, revealed by Bart Blatstein, aims to enhance Atlantic City as a family destination, encouraging visits from parents and children alike.
The Showboat owner, Blatstein, has allocated over $100 million to develop the Island Waterpark at the North Boardwalk location, alongside an additional $7 million to transform the former Caesars casino floor into the Lucky Snake Arcade, which is promoted as the largest arcade globally.
Currently, Blatstein is reportedly focused on launching a fresh entertainment attraction along the beach.
New Beachside Family Attraction
According to the Press of Atlantic City, Blatstein is reimagining the Garden Pier. This one-acre pier is beautifully located across the Boardwalk from both the Showboat and Ocean Casino Resort.
When Blatstein purchased the Showboat in early 2016 for $23 million, he also invested $1.5 million to acquire the Garden Pier from Atlantic City. The Showboat has utilized the area for various special events and live outdoor music during summer weekends.
While Blatstein is not ready to share the comprehensive details of the Garden Pier’s redevelopment, he has stated that it is an “entertainment project” designed for families. He acknowledged the 2024 closure of Gillian’s Wonderland, an amusement pier in nearby Ocean City, as a driving factor.
“While Ocean City mourns the loss of Wonderland, we at Showboat are expanding our focus on the family-friendly market. This signifies Atlantic City’s shift back towards family-oriented attractions,” Blatstein commented.
The Philadelphia-based developer noted that the pier project will entail a multi-million dollar investment.
Market Expansion Efforts
The year 2025 presented both challenges and opportunities for the nine casinos in Atlantic City.
Despite a statewide gaming revenue record of $6.9 billion, the growth primarily focused on online platforms. Physical casino revenue increased by less than 3%, with only four of the nine casinos reporting gains from retail players compared to the previous year. Meanwhile, revenue from iGaming surged by 22%.
Atlantic City attracted 17.6 million visitors, marking a 2.6% decrease year-over-year. Profits across the nine resorts also saw a contraction, with net revenue rising 0.6% but gross profits narrowing by 1.4% to $665.4 million. Bally’s, Caesars, Harrah’s, and Tropicana all recorded declines in year-on-year profits.
Blatstein has consistently argued for the need for more attractions to entice new visitors to Atlantic City. Yet, this endeavor has not been straightforward.
As noted by Casino.org in July 2025, a warrant was issued for Blatstein’s arrest after a contractor claimed he was owed $532,933.35 for electrical services rendered at the Showboat’s parking facility and resort. Blatstein made the payment soon after the court ruling.
Additionally, there were reports suggesting the Showboat’s Island Waterpark had not met expectations, citing limited hours and reduced admission fees, although Blatstein refuted these claims.