Exactly 19 Years Ago Today: Remembering Atlantic City’s Historic Sands Casino Implosion

Nineteen years ago today, an unforgettable chapter of Atlantic City’s entertainment history vanished into a cloud of dust in less than 20 seconds.

The Sands Casino in Atlantic City once hosted some of the biggest superstars in the world before coming crashing down.

The Golden Era of the Copa Room and Legendary Headliners

Some of the biggest names in entertainment performed inside the famous Copa Room, like Frank Sinatra, Tony Bennett, Cher, Liza Minnelli, Bob Dylan, Robin Williams, Whitney Houston, and Eddie Murphy, all of whom performed at the Sands.

October 18, 2007: A Fireworks Farewell and East Coast History

However, the Sands closed on November 11, 2006, and at 9:37 p.m. on October 18, 2007, all the great times and memories came crashing down in less than 20 seconds, when the Sands was imploded.

It was the first-ever casino implosion on the East Coast, and it came with a ton of fanfare, including a fireworks show for the thousands of longtime loyal patrons and former workers who came out to see the place one last time.

The former Brighton Hotel & Casino opened in August of 1980 and has sat vacant ever since the implosion, with rumors of something new taking its place never coming to fruition.

Nineteen Years Later: What Happened to the 16-Acre Site?

Back in 2006, Pinnacle bought the land for $250 million, and we heard about their planned $1.5 billion mega-resort for the site, but that project has been cancelled, leaving locals to wonder what is next for the 16-acre site at Indiana Avenue and the Boardwalk.

Were you on the Boardwalk or watching from a rooftop 19 years ago tonight? Drop your memories and photos in the comments below.