Harrah's Waterfront Tower rises 46 stories above the Marina in Atlantic City. The new casino was located in the marina district – the first casino in Atlantic City not located on the famous boardwalk. Though Bill Harrah did not participate in the new casino's development, the facility was re-branded Harrah's Marina Resort prior to opening. Holiday Inns purchased Harrah's Corporation, following the death of Harrah's founder Bill Harrah, during construction of the facility.

It was originally to be named the 'Holiday Inn Marina Casino'. Harrah's Atlantic City was conceived, and initial construction started, by a partnership of LM Walters Co and Holiday Inns. It was the fifth casino to open after the legalization of gambling. Harrah's was the first to be located in the district and remained the only resort there until Trump's Castle (later Trump Marina, now the Golden Nugget) was opened in 1985. The casino is one of three in the marina district (away from the Boardwalk and ocean beach) of the city, along with the Borgata and the Golden Nugget. Harrah's is one of the largest hotels in New Jersey. Harrah's Resort Atlantic City is a casino hotel in the marina district of Atlantic City, New Jersey, owned by Vici Properties and operated by Caesars Entertainment.