ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A burst of new, luxurious mega-casino projects to be built by 2012 will transform the face of Atlantic City into a more futuristic — and crowded — gambling resort.

At least four companies are betting a combined $9 billion that the makeover will help Atlantic City catch up with Las Vegas as a place to come — and stay — for more than just gambling.

In early November, Revel Entertainment Group unveiled drawings of its new $2 billion casino-resort, to be called simply "Revel." Due to open in the second half of 2010, at 710 feet, it will be the tallest building in the city — at least for a while.

It will feature two thin towers perpendicular to the ocean and Atlantic City's first casino wedding chapel. The interior complex, between the towers, looks as if it has been shaped by gentle ocean waves.

Hot on the heels of "Revel" will be other mega-casinos to be built by Pinnacle Entertainment on the site of the former Sands Hotel Casino, opening in late 2011 or early 2012. The granddaddy of them all, a $5 billion casino resort planned by MGM Mirage in the marina district next to the Borgata, will be the largest project Atlantic City has ever seen when the first dice start tumbling in 2012.

The burst of investment is the largest in Atlantic City since the start of casino gambling in 1978.

The new casinos will join an already expanding skyline: The Borgata, Trump Taj Mahal Casino resort, and Harrah's Atlantic City are all building second hotel towers. Earlier this year, the Hilton floated the idea of a $1 billion expansion, but officials won't say if that's still on the table.

There is no Going Vegas column by Anthony Curtis this week.