If you’ve ever been to Las Vegas or Atlantic City, you know that gambling goes hand in hand with magic shows. While we can’t pin point the moment this sort of entertainment found its way to the top casinos in the country, we are happy it did because who doesn’t love a magic trick while trying their luck?
This is why we decided to dedicate this article to magic shows at New Jersey casinos. The state is becoming the gambling capital of the East Coast with its lavish casinos, as well as alternative NJ online casino options. And at these casinos, you can find some of the best magicians of the land and abroad.
We will give you some recommendations about which magicians you should look out for when you plan your visit to a New Jersey casino.
Penn & Teller
Can you even say you’ve been to a famous casino if you didn’t see Penn and Teller perform there? The bombastic duo frequents casinos all around the country, and this, of course, includes performances in New Jersey. Their last performance in the state was at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino (Atlantic City) in December 2021.
Penn Jillette and Teller have been performing together since the 1970’s and their shows are a mixture of hilarious comedy and breathtaking magic, which are sure to make your night. Apparently, they are very down to earth and you might even score a selfie with them after the show.
Keep in mind that their shows are sought-after, so you better book a ticket in advance. You can plan your whole trip to Atlantic City, or another city in New Jersey, around their show, because we promise you it’s worth it. In the meantime, you can watch one of their many televised shows such as Penn & Teller: Fool Us.
Joe Holiday
A Joe Holiday magic show is something of a staple for New Jersey entertainment. He is often hailed as one of New Jersey’s favorite magicians and has even received the Best Local Comedian award. He has also toured all around the country and even the globe.
However, he has a sweet spot for his hometown, Atlantic City. He still lives there and performs at the best comedy clubs, cruise ships, and casinos. Similar to Penn and Teller, Joe Holiday also likes to dabble in both magic and comedy, which results in a fascinating show that you’d be telling all your friends about.
Joe Holiday performs at many casinos in the state, so all you need to do is Google his upcoming events to give yourself an authentic New Jersey experience.
Criss Angel
The New York magician, Criss Angel, is another frequent visitor of New Jersey casinos. Angel famously brought over $150 million in revenue to Las Vegas during his 2010 residency. You already know why we included him on this list.
Criss Angel’s style of performance differs from that of the previous three magicians we discussed. He relies on mentalism, a somehow forgotten art, as well as hand street magic and dramatic illusions. Believe us when we tell you that you’d never been to a show like that before.
Criss Angel is currently preparing for his “Criss Angel RAW – The Mindfreak Unplugged” tour. He promises to keep the spirit of his usual routine, but deliver it in an intimate environment to better connect with his audience. Check his social media for updates.
Leon Etienne
Leon Etienne is an upcoming illusionist who has starred in America’s Got Talent and subsequently shows like Penn & Teller: Fool Us, Late Night with Jimmy Fallon, and Masters of Illusion.
If he is good enough to fool Penn and Teller, he is good enough to fool all of us. Etienne is already proving himself as a talented magician and an exciting performer. Etienne says that he decided to risk and try out his luck in magic after being struck by a lightning as a teen, which is quite the story.
His shows are described as “David Copperfield and Van Halen had a baby”. He combines rock music and high stakes with illusions, which keeps his audience on the edge of their seats.
Etienne has been to New Jersey before and we’re sure we’ll see him again this year.
David Copperfield
Can you imagine an article about famous American magicians without including the most brilliant one? David Copperfield is still touring the country and bringing magic to every place he visits. But did you know that he was born and raised in New Jersey?
The New Jersey native made a name for himself as far back as in the 1960’s when he was still a school boy. He became the youngest magician to be included in the Society of American Magicians at the age of 12. Before even reaching maturity, he was already teaching magic at New York University.
It’s needless to say that he is the best living magician in the world. Who else can make the Statue of Liberty disappear if not him? While he spends most of his time at his Las Vegas residency, he still visits New Jersey venues, so make sure you check his upcoming events regularly.