"down on the boardwalk they're gettin' ready for a helluva fight."

This did not escape me. I honestly never thought it would happen. From the AP:

New Jersey Casinos Close for First Time

By JOHN CURRAN

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) - The dice stopped rolling, dealers quit shuffling and slot machines fell silent Wednesday as New Jersey's casinos closed for the first time, the latest victims of a five-day state government shutdown that showed no signs of ending soon.

In the first mass closure in the 28-year history of Atlantic City's legalized gambling trade, all 12 casinos went dark. With no state budget, New Jersey cannot pay its state employees, including casino inspectors who keep tabs on the money.

"I never thought this would happen," said Ruth Dodies, 77, of Philadelphia, standing at a closed entrance to Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino. "It doesn't make sense. It really doesn't."

The shutdown could cost the 12 casinos more than $16 million that they would normally collect from gamblers each day, not to mention the $1.3 million in taxes taken in by the state. Read more.

I wonder how many days this will go on. Hmmm....