Viral TikToks Reveal the Real Atlantic City Inspiration for Monopoly

It's one of the most popular board games, but do you know which New Jersey community inspired its creation? Two viral TikTok videos have uncovered the real truth behind Atlantic City's connection to Monopoly. 

TikTok creator @chiefgirlbossjaa filmed herself driving through Atlantic City, pointing out streets that any Monopoly fan would recognize instantly.

“This is your reminder that Monopoly is based on Atlantic City,” she said. As her vehicle passed familiar street signs, she added, “Pacific, Atlantic Avenue, Baltic, Park Place, right here. Look, Indiana Avenue. Atlantic City is literally just Monopoly land.”

Her video, which garnered more than 93,200 views, left many commenters surprised at the discovery.

TikToker @captain_ahabb mentioned the video with text on-screen that read: “Just watched a video of a girl going through Atlantic City to see all the Monopoly board streets, and the whole comment section is BAFFLED that Monopoly is based off AC. Is this not common knowledge?”

The second video garnered over 584,500 views, sparking a debate about whether this fact was universally apparent — or only to those living in the tri-state area.

The Monopoly version that most people recognize today was launched during the 1930s, published by Parker Brothers.

Charles Darrow, an unemployed salesman from Pennsylvania, added the Atlantic City streets. According to Daily Dot, Darrow vacationed there and believed the names — Boardwalk, Ventnor, Marvin Gardens — would connect with members of the public. Parker Brothers bought his version, and the rest is board game history.

Other versions of the game exist with customized towns and their streets substituting for their Atlantic City counterparts, but the “classic” American edition is forever linked to New Jersey's Atlantic City.