ATLANTIC CITY — The Taj Mahal was once the crown jewel of Trump family business in Atlantic City. 

When it opened 26 years ago in a garish celebration that drew A-list celebrities, including Michael Jackson, it was dubbed the "Eighth Wonder of the World" by the real-estate-tycoon-turned-politician Donald Trump.

On Monday, it will be the fifth casino to close in less than three years in the struggling city. More than 3,000 workers at the casino and its restaurants will be out of work as a result of the closure.

The rise and fall of the Trump Taj Mahal

The casino and hotel will officially cease operations on Oct. 10 at 5:59 a.m., according to its website.

In July, the Taj Mahal's workers went on strike over health benefits and vacation time. A month later, the owners of the casino announced it would close the Taj Mahal.

The Taj website described hourly deadlines for gamblers as the shutdown takes effect.

After 5:59 a.m. on Monday, bonus slot dollars and slot dollars will have no more value. Comp dollars expire Sunday at 11:59 p.m.

Chips and vouchers can be cashed in until 8 a.m. Monday. The Tropicana Atlantic City's Casino cage can redeem gaming chips and vouchers after the Taj Mahal closes. Markers can also be paid at the Tropicana. 

All hotel reservations after Saturday will be cancelled and refunded. Cars left with the valet can be picked until 1 p.m Monday. The self-park garage will close at 5 p.m.

Since the Borgata opening in 2003, the Taj struggled to keep people at the tables and slots, following more than a decade of prosperity, despite a decline in the industry during the 1990s.
 

The president and CEO of Tropicana Entertainment Inc. said at the time of the closure announcement, the company saw "no path to profitability" with the ongoing labor strike.

On Aug. 12, more than 100 employees at Hard Rock Cafe in the Trump Taj Mahal also received Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notifications. 

The union representatives with UNITE Here Local 54 and owner Carl Icahn have fought over employee contracts since the billionaire investor bought the casino in 2015 in bankruptcy court. In January, the third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled against the unions and said Icahn was not required to honor the casino workers' expired contracts. 

When owners of the Taj Mahal announced the closure in August, the Borgata recorded its best month ever. 

Trump, the Republican presidential nominee, opened the casino in 1990, but has since given up any control of casino.

Craig McCarthy may be reached at  This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it . Follow him on Twitter @createcraig. Find NJ.com on Facebook.