The casino performed poorly, with pre-tax profits of just $144,000 in the first half of 1985. Part of the reason for this is that Harrah's was commonly associated with and attracted low-rolling gamblers, but Trump had built 85 high-roller suites, which were rarely used. Five months after opening, the name was changed to simply Trump Plaza, to avoid confusion with Harrah's Marina. The complex contained 614 rooms, seven restaurants, a health club, a 750-seat showroom and a 60,000 sq ft (5,574.2 m 2) casino, all on a narrow 2.6 acres (1.1 ha) plot of land next to Caesars Atlantic City. The property opened as Harrah's at Trump Plaza on May 14, 1984. Trump would oversee the construction, while Harrah's would operate the property, referred to as Harrah's Boardwalk, after opening. Harrah's, the gaming unit of Holiday Inn, joined as a partner a month later.

The Trump Organization, a company owned by real estate developer Donald Trump, began construction of the casino in June 1982. Designed by architect Alan Lapidus, it operated from May 14, 1984, until September 16, 2014. Trump Plaza was a hotel and casino on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City, New Jersey, owned by Trump Entertainment Resorts.