Ocean Casino Seeks $1.5 Million from Atlantic City

Ocean Casino Resort has announced that it will seek $1.5 million in damages from the Atlantic City government. The company argues that the Atlantic City Fire Department's response to the July 27 fire was negligent. The notice was submitted to the city council under the New Jersey Tort Claims Act. The law requires a formal claim to be filed within 90 days of the incident.

The fire started early in the morning in a laundry closet and activated the sprinkler system. A pipe in the suppression system then burst, and part of the ceiling of the main lobby collapsed. The casino remained closed for the entire day, and a $30,000 slot tournament was canceled.

According to the company's accounts, the losses include $488,613 in architecture and engineering fees, $49,345 for lobby ceiling repairs, and $9,751 for new carpeting. Hotel room cancellations amount to $59,602, and guest compensation totals $23,668. Ocean said the claim will also include additional losses caused by the closure and the cleanup process.

The notice does not provide details on what the fire department's negligence consisted of. These details are expected to emerge when the complaint is filed with the court.

Meanwhile, despite the closure, Ocean's gross gaming revenue (GGR) rose. In July 2025, the casino, which was open for 31 days, generated $43.1 million in GGR. In July 2026, that figure rose to about $52.2 million, an increase of 21 percent.