Atlantic City Casinos Blog

Atlantic City is hurting. I was in the Taj Mahal last night, and the place was practically empty. I know it’s a week night in the winter, but it was eerie.

Revel, which is building a fancy new casino just north of the Showboat, announced yesterday it is laying off 400 construction workers. No, they’re not abandoning the project, just slowing it down. They’ll continue to work on the exterior, but interior work was placed on hold. But if you’ve been in the area lately, you can see the project is coming along nicely and will be a class operation when it finally opens.

The Hilton reportedly laid off all or most of its hosts. They also shut their Destination Club booth, meaning people have to go to the casino cage to get a players card. The cashiers really don’t know what they’re doing in that deparmtment, so getting anything more than basic service will be difficult.

Sister property Resorts hasn’t made a mortgage payment since October, and the lender is asking to foreclose on the property. No one’s sure if they would run it (which would require a license from the Casino Control Commission) or close it.

Better times will come. But it will be interesting to see who’s left standing by time the recession ends.

There’s a recession on, and casinos are hurting for customers. But you’d never know it with a couple of experiences I had last weekend in Atlantic City.

A group of friends and I decided to have a late lunch at the Harrah’s buffet. It wasn’t that busy, at least there were no lines to get inside. But our drink server acted like she couldn’t care less about us. When we asked for refills on our sodas and iced tea, it took her half an hour to bring them. No I’m not joking, we timed it. We had to pile our used plates on an adjacent table, beause no one came by to clean them up. It really put a damper on the enjoyment of what is otherwise wonderful food at this buffet.

After we broke up, I went to Resorts to collect some bonus cash. It was pretty busy for a Sunday night. When it came time for me to cash out what was left of my money and go home, I found that both ticket machines in the area were just about out of money. Apparently, the staff never bothered to check and refill them. People cashing out $25 and $30 vouchers found themselves with a handful of ones. I was cashing out more, and had to stand in a long line in front of the solitary booth that was open. Several people were there to convert their wads of singles in to larger bills. The lone clerk took her dear, sweet time taking care of everyone. When it was my turn to step up to the window, she stood there just counting out all the one-dollar bills for a minute or two. No “I’ll be right with you,” or “Thank you for waiting” when she finished.

Hey folks, you’re working in a service industry. Provide service, and at least pretend that you mean it. In case you didn’t notice, the economy is tough, and you want people to go back to your casino, not the one next door. And if you’re in a change booth, remember that a machine can do your job. If customers find it more pleasant to deal with a machine than with you, you’ll soon join the millions of Americans on the unemployment line.

And that’s my rant for the week.

Atlantic City, January 20, 2009 – With the crowning of Danish poker pro Peter Eastgate in November 2008, and a first place prize of over $9 million, the excitement surrounding elite poker events has never been more evident. In an effort to meet the demand the high-stakes action of the World Series of Poker, the richest sporting event on the planet, is coming to Caesars Atlantic City for the highly anticipated Circuit Event from March 4 through March 14, 2009.

The World Series of Poker Circuit schedule for Caesars will include 11 tournament events, with buy-ins ranging from $200 for a Turbo No-Limit event to just over $5,000 for the No-Limit Hold’em Finale. Last year’s circuit event championship purse at Caesars Atlantic City was over $1.5 million. To ensure that there is never a lack of action, there will also be single table satellites available 24 hours a day^*. With over 110 tables ready for poker action, this event should bring some of the very best in poker talent to center Boardwalk where table games action is king.

The winner of the final event will qualify for a $10,000 seat in the 2009 World Series of Poker Main Event held at The Rio in Las Vegas, NV in addition to prize money awarded for the Circuit victory. Winners of all events will receive a World Series of Poker ring, or in the case of the WSOP Ladies Only No-Limit Hold’em Final a beautiful pendant commemorating the championship.

“Caesars has always been synonymous with the very best in table games in Atlantic City and this tournament speaks to that. The World Series of Poker is without question the single most prestigious gambling event anywhere, and we are thrilled to bring all the excitement of the tournament to our customers,” said Dan Nita, Senior Vice President and General Manager of Caesars Atlantic City.

Interested participants can register 24 hours a day at the casino cashiers located next to the poker room at Caesars beginning in mid February. Beginning at 8am on March 4, players can register right at the Palladium Ballroom located on the second floor. Registration must be done in person and all registrants must have a Total Rewards card, which can be obtained at either the Poker Room or the Total Rewards Center, located on the second floor. Special room rates for participants in the World Series of Poker Circuit Event are also available at rates of $79 for Sunday through Thursday, $159 for Friday and $199 for Saturday. Additional information is available at www.worldseriesofpoker.com.

Is one Atlantic City casino about to become smoke-free?

That looks like a possiblity as Harrah’s Entertainment is sending out surveys to its customers asking what their reaction would be if the Showboat banned smoking entirely. Would they come more often? Would they come less? Would it make no difference? The questionnaires were embedded with passwords in such a way that people couldn’t send them to all their friends and stuff the ballot box one way or another.

This might have been brought about by the fact that casino revenues slid even further in December - when the 75%-25% smoking ordinance went back into effect - than they did in November when there was a complete smoking ban for half the month.

Some people may remember when the Silver City in Las Vegas went smoke-free in the late 1980s, and soon shut down. But that place was a dive and on its last legs anyway.

It will be interesting to see what happens at the Showboat. It could be a good compromise to allow people who still smoke to do so in some Harrah’s casinos, while opening one to people with asthma and other lung diseases who can’t be exposed to it at all.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ - January 15, 2009 - Resorts Atlantic City Casino Hotel announced that five lucky players will win a pair of tickets to a VIP event featuring four former cast members of the legendary HBO series, The Sopranos.  The festivities, to be held in the Ballroom at Resorts Atlantic City Casino Hotel on Sunday, February 15, will also feature The Sopranos Wines, the line of fine Italian wines inspired by the TV series.

Resorts Atlantic City’s exclusive party will feature special guests Steve Schirripa who portrayed Bobby Bacala; Frank Vincent who portrayed Phil Leotardo; Vinny Pastore who portrayed Sal “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero; and Dan Grimaldi who portrayed identical twin mobsters, Patsy & Philly Parisi.

“Cast members of the Sopranos, delicious wine, and a classic Atlantic City casino-it’s the perfect New Jersey event,” said Kathleen McSweeney, Senior Vice President of Marketing for Resorts Atlantic City. “This event follows our incredibly successful wine series party with Philadelphia Flyers greats Bobby Clarke and Dave Schultz last fall. That event was very popular with our Philadelphia-based players, and we expect The Sopranos Signature Wine Collection event to be another fantastic draw, specifically in Northern New Jersey and New York.”

Each VIP attendee will get to meet and take pictures with the four cast members, receive three bottles of wine from The Sopranos Wines. The Sopranos Wines, the new line of fine Italian wines were launched in September 2008 under a licensing agreement between HBO and New York-based Vesuvio Import Company, and distributed by Duggan’s Distillers Products Corporation. The Sopranos Wines feature a range of selections for every type of wine enthusiast.  For more information, visit the official web site of The Sopranos Wines at www.thesopranoswines.com.

Resorts Atlantic City cardholders will receive one entry into the sweepstakes to win passes to this private event. Cardholders can score additional entries by earning three points on slot play or by playing table games for one hour. Entries can be earned from January 15 through February 14. The drawing will be held on February 14 at 9 p.m.

To enter the sweepstakes, players must be members of the Resorts Destinations Casino Club. Casino players can sign up for their Resorts Destination Casino Club cards at the promotions center located in casino. Members must be 21 or older.

Steve Schirripa portrayed “Bobby Bacala” - Uncle Junior’s right hand man. Steve’s big screen credentials are as formidable as his portrayal of Bobby Bacala. He’s played memorable characters in Detriot Rock City and Flintstones-Viva Rock Vegas, and he has also landed roles in films directed by such notables as Martin Scorsese (Casino), Terry Gilliam, (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas), and Ron Shelton’s (Play it to the Bone).

Frank Vincent starred as feared New York mob boss “Phil Leotardo” on I Frank has demonstrated the ultimate degree of versatility as an actor from his Raging Bull’s arrogant “Salvi,” to his Do The Right Thing’s soaking wet “Charlie,” Jungle Fever’s racist “Mike Tucci,” Casino’s suave “Frankie Marino” and his “Go home and get your shine box” Goodfella “Billy Batts.” In addition, his career has taken him from recording with great musical legends to working on music videos with such names as Bruce Hornsby, Hype Williams, Nas, DMX, Method Man and T-Boz.

Vincent Pastore portrayed The late Sal “Big Pussy” Bonpensiero - the big brother Tony never had. While well-known for his pivotal role in the The Sopranos, some of Pastore’s earliest roles were in such films as the Italian wedding comedy True Love (1989) and Martin Scorsese’s Goodfellas. He has also appeared in numerous popular films including Awakenings (1990), Carlito’s Way (1993), and the 1997 television miniseries The Last Don.

Dan Grimaldi portrayed identical twin mobsters, Patsy & Philly Parisi.For this role, he was nominated and won a Screen Actors Guild Award for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series in 2008 and received a nomination in 2007. Highlight’s of Dan’s film career include film working with James Caan and Mark Walhberg in The Yards; Judith Ivey and Kelly Ripa in The Stand-In; Frank Vincent in West New York; Elijah Wood and Rob Reiner in North; and Director Spike Lee in Crooklyn.

Resorts Casino Hotel is situated on 11 acres of land with approximately 310 feet of Boardwalk frontage overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. Resorts offers guests 942 hotel rooms and suites in two hotel towers: the oceanfront 15-story Ocean Tower, and the magnificent showpiece, the 27-story luxury Rendezvous Tower at Resorts. The 99,951-square foot casino at Resorts Casino Hotel features non-stop excitement and action 24 hours a day at more than 80 table games and more than 2,500 slot machines.

Atlantic City, NJ - December 10, 2008 – Who wants to be the next Millionaire?! Resorts Atlantic City Casino Hotel announced it will offer new and existing members of the Resorts Destination Casino Club a chance to win thousands in prizes and cash, including a grand prize of $1 million through its new Million Dollar Deal promotion. The Million Dollar Deal promotion will run from Sunday, January 4 through Friday, February 27, 2009

The Million Dollar Deal machine will be available seven days a week from Noon to 8pm in the Boardwalk Lobby of Resorts Atlantic City. New members of the Resorts Atlantic City will receive one free deal. Existing members of the club will receive an opportunity for one deal on the machine upon earning 3 points through slot play.

The Million Dollar Deal machine is based on a video poker machine. This Video Poker game will allow five cards with eight ways to win. The amount and type of the prize varies based on the hand dealt, as well as if a winning combination is hit on the first or second draw.

Casino players can sign up for their Resorts Destination Casino Club cards at the promotions center located in casino. Members must be 21 or older.

Atlantic City, NJ - November 24, 2008 – When the weather outside is frightful…the dance floor at Boogie Nights is heating up!  Resorts Casino Hotel announced its Winter special events calendar for Boogie Nights, which has been praised as “the grooviest nightery in A.C.” (NY Daily News), “too hip to resist” (South Jersey Magazine), and “the surprise nightlife hit of the year” (Bergen Record).  In addition to these special events, Boogie Nights will celebrate its one year anniversary Friday, November 28, and will continue to throw the region’s grooviest ‘70s and ‘80s dance party every Saturday night.

Thursday, January 22, Boogie Nights will host the exclusive after-party of the first-ever 2009 Nightlife Awards, presented by Atlantic City Weekly.  Awards will be given, the music will be pumpin’ and bodies will be groovin’.  Vote for the 2009 AC Weekly Nightlife Awards at www.acweekly.com.

Boogie Nights is encouraging singles looking for love to try their luck on Friday, February 13 at Singles Night!  Cupid’s arrows will be flying and many Valentine’s will be struck!  Fun dating games and activities will be held throughout the night.

Relive your Spring Break memories!  Friday, March 20, it’s Spring Break ’09 at Boogie Nights!  College may be in the past but the party lives on…Customers should wear their board shorts, flip-flips and their best spring break attire.  Clips of past televised Spring Breaks will be played, plus, it’s not Spring Break without “Hot Bodies” contests…There will be prizes, games and plenty of decadence!

The economy took its toll on Atlantic City in 2008. The Casino Control Commission released its final report, showing revenues dropped by 7.6% over 2007, and December was down 18.7% over December ‘07. Gamblers are apparently staying home in droves as they worry about keeping their jobs and their houses. Only Harrah’s showed gains for the year, and several properties had double-digit declines.

I saw that for myself when I went on a promotion run yesterday. I started at Resorts to pick up a gift card for the local supermarket. I still gotta eat, right? The parking lot was almost empty and so was the casino. There was no wait to pick up my gift card. Resorts is running an interesting promotion. If you earn three slot points, you get a pull on a video-poker machine with prizes for any hand 3-of-a-kind or higher. In the past, the line to play these promos has been long. I’ve waited up to an hour to get my spin of the wheel or whatever. This time, I just walked right up. Of course, I didn’t win.

Bally’s wasn’t much more crowded, despite the fact that they had an electronics giveaway going on. Every Sunday, you get a gift based on the total number of base Total Rewards credits you earn. I got right onto my favorite video-poker machine and right into the ballroom to pick up my prize.

The only place that appeared at all crowded was Max’s Steakhouse at Trump Plaza, where I met a buddy for dinner. We took advantage of their $35 three-course special, and apparently the word about it has gotten out. It is a great dining bargain for tough times.

Speaking of dining bargains, there’s one correction to last week’s blog. Peregrine’s at the Hilton has removed its name from the list of participating restaurants. Pity, I wanted to try it. I guess I’ll just have to save up my comps and do it like everybody else.

It’s seven weeks away, but I’m drooling already!

The first Atlantic City Restaurant week will be held March 1 to 7, and almost all of the finest restaurants in and around town will be part of it. As a way of getting new customers to try their culinary creations, the restaurants are offering fixed-price lunch specials for $15.09 and dinners for $33.09. It’s the perfect opportunity to try a restaurant that you thought was way above your budget.

If you love gourmet food at diner prices, you’ll want to be in Atlantic City the first week in March.

Yes, Peregrine’s at the Hilton is on the list. You’d normally expect to spend at least $100 per person for the privilege of dining in this exclusive restaurant, but it will be $33.09 for one week only. The new Izakaya at the Borgata is participating, as are Buddakan, Phillip’s Seafood and others on the Pier at Caesars, many casino gourmet rooms and some of the finer establishments in Atlantic City, Ventnor and Margate.

Logon to www.acrestaurantweek.com to see which restaurants will participate in this not-to-be-missed promotion. They’ll post menus with the choices of dishes as the time draws nearer. You may want to make a reservaton early, before the word gets out.

No news yet if the casino restaurants will allow you to pay with comps, but since I’m a betting man, I’ll wager they will.

Now it’s time to hit the gym.

One thing I did New Year’s Day was to close out my 2008 gambling spreadsheet. I didn’t like what I saw.

I won’t go into the nitty-gritty details, but I had an unlucky year, playing mostly full-pay video poker in Atlantic City. But what hurt more was that my cashback and bounce-back cash went WAY down from previous years. My 2008 cashback and bounce-back money was was about one-third that for 2006. Not good at all.

So my 2009 resolution is to be a lot more particular about the promotions that will lure me into Atlantic City. I live a 15-minute drive from the casinos, and could find a promotion every day of the week if I didn’t have pesky things like a job, other hobbies and friends.

But this year, I will be a lot pickier before I jump in the car and head to the gaming halls. How much money are they offering me to walk in the door? Do I really want the gift they’re offering, or will I end up giving it to the Salvation Army? What is their cashback and comp rate? Do I really like the free food? Then I’ll decide if it’s worth the trip, or if I’m better off staying home.