The Atlantis Paradise Island Casino flung open its doors on December 11, 1998, as the gaming centerpiece of the sprawling Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island, Bahamas, a $800 million vision brought to life by South African hotel magnate Sol Kerzner and Kerzner International. Nestled across a seven-acre lagoon between The Royal and The Coral towers, this 60,000-square-foot marvel—among the Caribbean’s largest—emerged from the ashes of the Paradise Island Hotel and Casino, a 1968 relic reimagined into a world-class destination. With 700 slot machines humming in denominations from a penny to $100 and 85 table games dealing blackjack, baccarat, craps, and roulette, it welcomed 2 million visitors in its debut year, its vibrant Bahamian flair amplified by Dale Chihuly’s dazzling glass sculptures. Kerzner’s gamble paid off—by 2000, it was dubbed the “Monte Carlo of the Americas,” pulling $500 million annually, a figure that’s since doubled to $1 billion with expansions like The Cove and The Reef. Today, under Brookfield Asset Management’s ownership since 2012 (with Marriott’s Autograph Collection managing operations), it draws 5 million guests yearly, its $200 million state contribution via a 25% slot revenue pact underscoring its economic might. For the Americas and beyond, Atlantis is a legendary fusion of tropical luxury and gaming grandeur, a paradise where sun, sea, and stakes collide.
Beyond its casino floor, Atlantis Paradise Island is a resort ecosystem that blends gaming with an unparalleled array of amenities, cementing its status as a Caribbean icon. Its 21 restaurants—from Nobu’s Japanese finesse to Bahamian Club’s local zest—dish out 3 million meals yearly, while 19 bars, including the Moon Bar overlooking the casino, pour $50 million in cocktails. The 141-acre Aquaventure waterpark, with 11 pools and 20 slides like the Leap of Faith, thrills 2 million visitors, and the world’s largest open-air marine habitat—home to 65,000 aquatic animals across 14 lagoons—adds an eco-twist, drawing 1 million explorers. Employing 6,500, it pumps $400 million in wages into the Bahamas, its $200 million in taxes a lifeline for New Providence. The 2024 $150 million renovation—new carpets, lighting, and Bar Sol—refreshed its allure, while 2025’s Great Wolf Lodge plans signal family-friendly growth. From its 1968 roots as a modest hotel to a $1 billion gaming titan, Atlantis embodies the Americas’ knack for turning vision into victory, a sun-soaked haven where every bet feels like a brush with legend.
The Foundations of Atlantis Casino’s Legendary Appeal
The Atlantis Paradise Island Casino’s status as a gaming legend rests on a unique blend of scale, innovation, and Bahamian charm. Here are the key pillars that define its prestige:
- Expansive Gaming Floor: A 60,000-square-foot casino, one of the Caribbean’s largest, features 700 slots—penny spinners to $100 high rollers—and 85 tables, pulling $300 million yearly in gaming revenue.
- Bahamian Ambiance: Skylights, panoramic windows, and Chihuly’s glass art infuse a tropical vibe, linking the Royal and Coral towers across a seven-acre lagoon.
- Diverse Offerings: Beyond the main floor, The Cove Pool’s outdoor blackjack and Sea Glass’s indoor lounge add $20 million in niche gaming, catering to varied tastes.
- Tournament Prestige: Daily slot events and annual blackjack championships, like the $50K Halloween Slot Tournament, draw 50,000 players yearly, boosting its competitive edge.
- High-Roller Haven: The Salon Privé offers elite tables with $100-$10,000 limits, netting $50 million from VIPs, a nod to its “Monte Carlo” moniker.
These elements keep Atlantis a cut above. The casino’s 700 slots and 85 tables hum with 40,000 bets daily—slots at 70% of play—while The Cove Pool’s seven tables and Sea Glass’s 20 mid-to-high-range machines add intimate flair, pulling $10 million each. The 2024 refresh—new finishes, celestial fixtures—drew 1 million gawkers, its Bahamian spirit shining through friendly dealers and ocean-inspired décor. From its 1998 debut to 5 million annual visitors, Atlantis blends Caribbean warmth with Vegas-style stakes, a legendary draw in the Americas’ gaming tapestry.
Atlantis Paradise Island Casino by the Numbers
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Opening Date | December 11, 1998 |
| Casino Floor Size | 60,000 square feet |
| Total Resort Rooms | 3,805 across five towers |
| Annual Revenue | $1 billion |
| Slot Machines | 700+ |
| Table Games | 85 |
| Restaurants | 21 |
| Annual Visitors | 5 million |
| Construction Cost | $800 million (initial phase) |
Atlantis Casino’s Evolution and Broader Legacy
The Atlantis Casino’s journey kicked off in 1968 as the Paradise Island Hotel and Casino, a modest 250-room outpost owned by Resorts International, later acquired by Merv Griffin. By 1994, Sol Kerzner saw untapped potential, buying it for $125 million and launching a $800 million overhaul—Royal Towers rose, the casino tripled to 30,000 square feet, and 1,200 rooms debuted in 1998. Opening night drew 10,000, with $5 million in bets—slots spun $3 million, tables $2 million—and a $10 million Chihuly collection dazzling guests. The 2007 expansions—$450 million for The Cove’s 600 suites and The Reef’s 497—pushed room count to 3,805, while Aquaventure’s 141 acres added thrill. The 2008 recession trimmed revenue 20%, but Blackstone’s 2012 $1.7 billion sale to Brookfield and 2014 Marriott tie-in stabilized it; 2015’s $20 million casino upgrade—new slots, high-limit areas—lifted profits to $200 million. Today, 5 million visitors—30% from the U.S.—spend $600 million on gaming, $400 million on extras, a $1 billion titan.
Atlantis’s influence stretches across the Caribbean and Americas. Its 60,000-square-foot floor—expanded to 60,000 by 2007—set a regional bar; Baha Mar’s 100,000-square-foot casino followed suit. Slots and tables churn $300 million—70% from 700 machines—while The Cove Pool’s $10 million and Sea Glass’s $10 million add niche stakes. Dining’s 21 venues—Nobu’s $20 million, Fish by José Andrés’s 1 million plates—outpace rivals; the theater’s 300,000 fans—$20 million in tickets—echo from 1990s acts to 2024’s lineup. Jobs—6,500 strong—fuel $400 million in wages, the Bahamas’ largest private employer; $200 million in taxes via the 25% slot deal (totaling $4 billion since 1998) fund schools and roads. The 2024 $150 million redo—Bar Sol, new carpets—drew 2 million, its eco-efforts via the Atlantis Blue Project saving corals and dolphins. From Nassau’s Sun City to Aruba’s offerings, its model ripples.
Aria adapts with gusto. The 2021 $30 million slot refresh—200 machines, $15 million more—lifted play 10%; 2022’s Din Tai Fung debut added $10 million in dining. The 2023 pool upgrade—11 acres, four decks—drew 1.5 million swimmers, $20 million in cabanas; the spa’s 51 rooms net $25 million at $200 a pop. Sustainability—20% energy cut, 50 million gallons saved—meets excess: $5 million in sushi, 10,000 daily meals. The 2025 Great Wolf Lodge, a $300 million waterpark, eyes 500,000 kids—$50 million projected. Here’s what sets it apart:
- Gaming Scale: 60,000 square feet, Caribbean’s largest.
- Eco-Edge: Blue Project saves marine life, $5 million yearly.
- Resort Scope: 3,805 rooms, 141-acre waterpark.
- Bahamian Soul: Local staff, ocean vibes.
The legacy grows. The 2000s saw $1 billion debt—eased by 2012’s sale; 2010s competition—Baha Mar, Crystal Palace—tested it, yet Atlantis holds 60% of Bahamas gaming share. The 2022 tower tweak—$20 million—added LED flair; 2024’s F1 parties—$10 million—hint at more. From a 1968 hotel to a 2025 titan—5 million visitors, $1 billion revenue—it’s a Caribbean colossus in the Americas’ casino lore.
The Atlantis Paradise Island Casino reigns as a luminary in “Legendary Casinos of the Americas and Beyond,” its $800 million debut in 1998 sparking a legacy of grandeur across 3,805 rooms, 5 million visitors, and $1 billion yearly. From a bingo hall’s ashes to a Caribbean titan—$600 million in gaming, $200 million in taxes—it melds Bahamian charm with global stakes, a testament to vision and resilience. Its lagoons and slots sing a siren song, a paradise where every roll echoes across continents.