Gambling in Atlantic City will cease in anticipation of Hurricane Sandy at 3 p.m. on Sunday.

Gov. Chris Christie declared a state of emergency on Saturday and ordered casinos to close their doors by 4 p.m. on Sunday as part of a mandatory evacuation of the Barrier Islands.

"Division of Gaming Enforcement staff have been in constant dialogue with the casinos to ensure an orderly shutdown of gaming operations on Sunday," Christie said in a press release. "They have also assured me that the necessary security, surveillance, maintenance operations and personnel are in place to secure the properties gaming equipment and assets."