The casino floor at the Showboat hotel in Atlantic city is a product placement bonanza. I was on a Monopoly rush, coming in from Boardwalk and all, and immediately spotted a Monopoly-themed slot machine. My momentary excitement was swallowed by the realization that there was a slot machine for every franchise, every topic, every theme. Some for specific licenses, but most generic – wizards and dragons, tigers and crocodiles, lobster and shrimp. And next to each one, someone pressing buttons compulsively. There are slot machines in the lobby and video poker on the bar, so people can keep feeding it bills while gulping their overprices swill.

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When you get down on the floor, the first thing you notice is the music. Hundreds of slot machines are ringing, each MIDI chip programmed to a different frequency. The result is cacophonus at first – overwhelming – but after a few seconds you can feel the flow of it, an incessant chattering between machines. Each one constantly talking to its current master but all merging into one widespread conversations all across the floor. I’ve attempted to capture it, but I’m not sure I’ll be able to extract it from the camera.

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Standing on Pacific Avenue facing south, you have the Boardwalk to your left, each casino complex a mass of red and yellow neons, full of people, full of light. The other side of Pacific is quieter – every four buildings there is a church of a different denomination. Sometimes a synagogue. Two of the other three buildings are pawn shops willing to exchange anything – gold, diamonds – for cash. When the gamblers emerge from the harsh fluorescent lights into the night, they can find comfort in their faith just across the road. Then it’s time to sell grandma’s necklace and dive right back in.

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Across the street from Donald Trump’s Taj Mahal casino and hotel stands the Tamarhind restaurant, specializing in Indo-Pakistani food. I would love to say that the Taj Mahal looks more authentic, but they didn’t even bother trying – it’s just an ugly square building.

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Atlantic City feels a lot like Eilat.