Lottery winner draws eyes to losing Atlantic City

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (WPVI) -- A New Jersey man is a multi-millionaire after playing a lottery game inspired by Monopoly.

It was a big day for Wayne O'Keefe of Highland Lakes and his family, picking up a cool $21 million jackpot as the first top prize winner in the multistate lottery called Monopoly Millionaire's Club.

Lottery officials even threw in a top hat like the one worn by monopoly mascot Rich Uncle Pennybags.

O'Keefe said, "All my neighbors asked, 'Are you gonna move?' No. I got some fixing up around the house to do, which needs repair."

The monopoly game, first introduced in 1934, features locations from all over Atlantic City. The boardwalk, of course - the game's most expensive piece of real estate - and streets players have come to know like New York Avenue and St. James Place.

Wayne O'Keefe is doing a lot better than the town Monopoly is based on.

Four casinos have closed so far this year and the owner of the Taj Mahal says if unions don't stop appealing the elimination of health and pension benefits, the Taj will close for good December 12.

The city is also drowning in debt.

So we wondered: if you were playing real-life Monopoly would you buy in Atlantic City right now?

Cheryl Dawson of Atlantic City says, "Absolutely. Probably more now than ever. The value. They are giving property away practically and it's gonna turn around."

Atlantic City resident Leonard Williams tells us, "Atlantic City is falling apart. All these casinos is closing down and the little shops on the boardwalk ain't making money I can't see me investing in this."

Tony Montagna of Brick Township says, "I'd be selling like gangsters for sure because? Because there's not gonna be any return as far as my investment goes."

And Tom Hambel of Manorville says, "People will be coming here forever it's definitely a fun place to come."

With all its problems, Atlantic City isn't going to get out of jail free the way you could in Monopoly. Some difficult deals will have to be made so the city survives. And in the end, as in the game, there will be winners and losers.