Atlantic City, NJ Boardwalk & Casinos Pictures

Before gambling, the big game in these parts was Monopoly, invented by Charles Darrow in 1934, at the height of the Depression. In his youth, Darrow had spent summers in Atlantic City.

This commemorative sign on a Boardwalk railing reads:

"In 1930 an unemployed Philadelphian named Charles Darrow dubbed a board game MONOPOLY. He labeled its streets after avenues along the Boardwalk. It become the most popular board game of all time, and gave new meaning to the word "gaming" in Atlantic City.

"For more than 7 decades, millions of families have been taking virtual tours of Atlantic City's Boardwalk on the MONOPOLY board.

"Darrow sold his homemade game to department stores in Philadelphia before Parker Brothers bought the rights in 1934. MONOPOLY added millions to Darrow's personal Community Chest."