Atlantic City Casinos Blog

   I spent last night putting together my September casino offers. Man, it was a big pile!

   I can get free cash almost every day of the month at the two Harrah’s properties I visit most, and ditto at Resorts. Borgata has upped my $20 coin bonus from once or twice a month to three or four times a month. And I have point multipliers out the wazoo at three of the four Harrah’s properties.

   The better news is, the amount of cash offered per visit has gone up at several of these properties.

   With the summer season almost at an end, and people getting ready for school and other fall activities, the casinos must be wondering how they’ll fill the seats at the tables and in front of the machines. If you have a reasonably secure job and some money in the bank, now is a good time to be an Atlantic City gambler.

   A federal appellate court gave Atlantic City a huge break earlier this week when it ruled that Delaware may not open Vegas-style sports books in its racinos. Delaware, which was grandfathered into a 1992 federal law forbidding sports betting, had planned to open the books next month, just in time for football season. The court ruled that the only thing the racinos can offer are the parlay bets some places ran before 1992.

   No word yet as to whether Delaware will appeal that ruling to the Supremes, but that could take a while if they do.

   In the meantime, Atlantic City breathes a huge sigh of relief. Already hurting from slot parlors in Pennsylvania, full-blown sports betting in nearby Delaware could have devastated the New Jersey gaming halls.

   But just about every gaming jurisdiction is hurting. Also this week, Foxwoods reported declining revenues and sent a letter out to tribe members that their standard of living may have to be cut. Vegas is seeing double-digit gaming income declines. I’m getting some amazing room offers from Las Vegas Strip casinos, including free nights at one place where I never even gambled. 

   Even the state lottery isn’t selling as many tickets. Except maybe today, when the Mega Millions jackpot is $325 million. I bought a ticket, but let’s just say, I haven’t given notice to my boss.

   Even though the stock market is doing well, times are still tough for a lot of Americans. Gambling is one luxury many people just can’t afford right now.

   I was driving into Atlantic City last night, and was struck by the number of billboards on the Atlantic City Expressway offering bonuses for new players to join their slot clubs. The Harrah’s properties offer a free room in Las Vegas if you sign up in AC. Tropicana offers a coupon book full of discounts all over the property. Trump Marina will give new players $50 in free slot play, and Trump Plaza lets new members spin a wheel for a prize.

   Too bad I’m already a member of every slot club in town. I got nothing like this when I joined. But if you’re not in my position, check the billboards as you drive into town. Also check the weekly free newspapers, At the Shore and Atlantic City Weekly for ads about the incentives.

   Here’s another way to jump-start your holiday shopping. Bally’s is having a spree month in September. Starting at 6 a.m. September 1, you earn one “spree” point for every 5 base Total Reward credits you earn at Bally’s. On Sept. 26, go to the upstairs ballroom and pick out your gift. Or take free slot play instead. Redemptions start at 50 points, so it won’t take much to earn a holiday gift for someone on your list.

   I went to the Showboat on Wednesday to work a promotion. I had a dinner date with a friend, and just wanted to earn some bonus cash before we met. I went to the kiosk to redeem my cash, and there was something I could touch for a free buffet. Turns out Showboat has a deal at least through August where you get a free buffet if you earn 50 reward credits on a Wednesday. Darn! I hate giving up a freebie, but I already had plans at a different property.

   Harrah’s has the same deal on Mondays and Thursdays. Earn 50 Reward Credits, get a free all-you-can-eat spread.

   The grub at both of these buffets is above average, not like some others in town, that I won’t eat at, even for free. So if you don’t have a job or some other ”minor inconvenience” that keeps you from Atlantic City on weekdays, this is one offer you want to take advantage of.

    For now, those offers are advertised as being good only through the month of August. But given the dismal revenue figures in Atlantic City - revenue for the first half of the year was down 20% from last year - I strongly suspect they will be continued for the fall.

   OK, so you want to come to the Atlantic City Air Show on Wednesday to watch the planes do their stunts. You and about half a million other people. I’ve been to it several times, so here are my tips to deal with the crowds and enjoy the aerobatics:

   - Get there early! The show doesn’t start until 11 a.m., but plan to be in town by 9 a.m., 9:30 at the absolute latest. I saw this with my own eyes a few years ago when I stayed over and could see the Atlantic City Expressway from my hotel room. At 9 a.m., the traffic was flowing smoothly into town. By 9:30 it was starting to back up. By 10 a.m., the expressway was bumper-to-bumper, going back for several miles. You may want to take Route 30 (White Horse Pike) or Route 40 (Black Horse Pike) into town for a less nasty traffic jam.

   The early birds also get the parking spaces. Many of the casino garages were filled up by 10 a.m. By the way, be sure to bring a player card if you have one. They’ll be charging premium prices to park, and a card will guarantee you a maximum of $5, even if you don’t gamble.

   If you ignore the above and get into town late, park at the Borgata. For a $5 fee (free for Black Label and Titanium players), you can park and get a shuttle to the boardwalk.

   - Eat breakfast at home, or stop somewhere on the way to pick up food. Every outlet in Atlantic City will have a long line, and you’ll wait at least half an hour to be served or seated. If you’re staying overnight, consider splurging on room service.

   - Bring what you need to be comfortable for the day. Don’t forget sunscreen, and reapply it often. Bring water or other beverages, or be prepared to pay dearly on the boardwalk. Pack any snacks you want. You may want to bring earplugs if you or your children are bothered by the loud engine noise. Bring a portable radio if you want a play-by-play commentary. Stations at 1400 on the AM dial and 96.9 on the FM will broadcast the show. You may also want to bring a beach or camp chair. Wear a bathing suit under your clothes if you want to swim. The ocean temperature was pushing 80 degrees yesterday, and was an absolute delight.

    - Scout out a good vantage point. The deck at the end of The Pier at Caesars is a good one, and they’re offering passes to the first 500 people who show up. The line starts forming at 8 a.m., and the mall opens at 10. The wristband will let you enter and exit at will all day.

   If you have a Harrah’s diamond card, the lounges at Bally’s and Caesars offer great views of the show if you can get a spot by the window. You can watch the airshow in air-conditioned comfort while you munch on a light buffet and sip your favorite beverages. But if you stay all day, don’t forget to leave your server a very generous tip.

   If you have a hotel room, check out the pool area or other section open only to hotel guests. You may get a great view from there.

   - Consider staying late Wednesday night. Half a million people leaving town at once will create a second traffic nightmare. So take a walk on the boardwalk, have dinner, explore the Caesaers Pier and The Walk outlets, or try your luck in the casinos. A dip in the ocean is a good idea. Lifeguards are on duty until 6 p.m.

   If you go, have fun. Don’t forget to check your mailbox. A lot of casinos are sending out offers good Wednesday only, in an effort to ensure you go into their air-conditioned gaming hall for a break from the heat.

   I spent the weekend trolling around Atlantic City, playing some casino promotions and checking out a couple of properties I hadn’t visited in a while.

   The good news is, the town was crowded. The boardwalk was jammed, the parking garages were full and there were plenty of people on the beach and in the water.

   The bad news, at least for the gaming halls, is that the casinos themselves weren’t that crowded. The Hilton was a ghost town, even on a Saturday afternoon. I got right on to my favorite penny slot machine, which is usually quite an accomplishment. The Tropicana, recently sold to Carl Icahn and company, was a little busier, but I saw no line at the buffet. (OK, that buffet leaves a bit to be desired, and word about that might be getting around.) The Showboat, Bally’s and the Borgata had more players, but it was still far from the mob scene you’d expect on a hot, sunny weekend in August.

   The premium player lounges were also far from busy. The Hilton’s was desolate. I walked right in and got a seat by a large picture window overlooking the beach. There was no line to get into the Diamond Club at the Showboat for Saturday dinner. On a typical Saturday night in good times, I’d have to wait at least 10 or 15 minutes. Bally’s Diamond Club on Sunday night was pretty slow, and I had no problem getting on my favorite progressive video poker machine, despite the fact that it was a point-multiplier day.

   So from my viewpoint, the economy isn’t as good as some of the pundits will have us believe. People are coming to Atlantic City, but it seems that they’re sticking to the beach and boardwalk because they don’t have discretionary cash to lose in the casinos. Or they’d rather sock it away in the bank because they’re afraid of losing their jobs. The slot parlors in Pennsylvania are eating into the business, and sports betting coming to Delaware next month won’t help either.

   We’ll see when the summer revenue figures come out.

ATLANTIC CITY, NJ; August 1, 2009; It’s a ‘natural’ for all table games players! Beginning August 1 through September 4, Trump Plaza table game players can earn entries for a chance to compete in the Million Dollar Blackjack Challenge to be held on the main casino floor, adjacent to the craps pit in Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino, on Saturday, September 5, 2009.

Players can earn the entries by getting a designated hand at any table game. Designated hands include BJ - Blackjack, Spanish 21 – Black jack; Craps – Roll an 11; Three or four card poker – Straight; Roulette – win a straight up bet on that days date; Baccarat – Bet on the Tie; Mini Baccarat- Bet on the tie; Texas Hold ‘em Bonus- 2 pair or better; Ultimate Texas Hold ‘em – 2 pair or better; Let it Ride 2 pair or better; Caribbean stud poker – 2 pair or better. Roulette – win a straight up bet on that day’s date.

Each time you get a designated hand, you will receive an entry into the sweepstakes, held on Saturday, September 5, 2009. Six entries will be randomly selected from a drum located ion the main casino floor, adjacent to the craps pit. The six players will then play one hand of Blackjack.

   Yeah, they know it’s still hot out. But the folks at Caesars have fall, or maybe even holiday shopping, on their minds in August.

   People who play at Caesars Monday through Thursday in August can earn points towards gift cards at The Pier at Caesars. You get a $25 gift card for every point you earn, up to $5,000.

   You have to start by swiping your player’s card in a special kiosk in the hotel lobby. They’ll give you a few extra points to get the credits racking up. Gold players get 50 extra points, platinum gets 100 starter points, diamond players get 200 points and Seven Stars members get 300 extra points. Each base Total Rewards credit equals one point towards the promotion. You pick up your gift card the first few days in September.

   On another note, it was nice to see Atlantic City crowded this weekend. The beach was full when I went out for a swim. The casinos were packed and the food expo had twice as many people in attendance as last year. Of course, that meant we actually had to stand in line to taste some of the better goodies offered for sampling, but it gave me some time to let the booze wear off.

$50 Bonus Slot Dollars
It’s summer and who couldn’t use a little extra cash to play with? At Trump Marina, new Trump One Card Members get $50 bonus slot dollars. Just sign up, play favorite slot machine and earn 20 tier points.  New members will receive $25 Bonus Slot Dollars on the day they enroll and $25 Bonus Slot Dollars on their next visit,

Visit any kiosk machine and access your account to view your points. Then, make plans to come back to Trump Marina and play!

$85,000 Money Mania Machine
Join us on Sunday, August 16 in the Atrium, where you could earn your place in the $85,000 Money Mania Machine. Picture this…money is flying all around you and you have 60 seconds to grab as much as you can. Whatever you walk out with is yours to keep. You could grab up to $5,000.

From noon to 8 pm, we’ll randomly select a guest every half hour to enter the Money Mania Machine. Simply play slots or table games, and earn an entry for every 10 tier points from August 1 through August 16. Activate your entries at any Rewards Center Kiosk from 10 am to 7:50 pm on August 16 and prepare to grab your share of $85,000.

$1,000,000 Roulette Challenge Spins Into The Marina

It’s a new spin on becoming a millionaire…from August 1 through October 2, play roulette for your chance to win entries into Trump Marina’s Million Dollar Roulette Challenge. Here’s your chance to play your favorite table games to earn entries to win BIG!

Players receive one entry for each hand-paid slot jackpot over $1,200. Table players receive one entry for each designated hand or “natural” occurrence.  All entries will be placed in a bin located in the Atrium, for this million-dollar monster of a drawing, to be held on Saturday, October 3 in the Atrium.

We’ll randomly select six entries from the promotions drum. If you’re one of the lucky six chosen, you’ll spin the roulette wheel for a chance to win a cash prize of $10,000, $100,000 or maybe even $1 million (annuity over 25 years). All six finalists are guaranteed to walk away with at least $1,000. There are a million reasons to play at Trump Marina!

For complete details on how to earn entries, stop by Trump One Services.

Fall Under a Hypnotic Comedy Spell
“Hypnosterical: Uncensored Comedy Hypnosis” is the can’t-miss comedy hit of the summer. And it’s only at Trump Marina. “Hypnosterical” is the funniest—and most risqué—comedy sensation to hit Atlantic City. And you could be a part of the laughs! Master Hypnotist Joe Boccuti places volunteers from the audience under his spell. With the hypnotized doing the unthinkable, this interactive show will have you talking for years to come. Come see the show—or be the show. The fun is in The Shell now through September 5. Show times are 9 p.m. on Thursdays and Fridays and 10 p.m. on Saturdays. Tickets are priced at $22.50.

As Summer Rolls On, the Party Keeps Going Outdoors!
The Deck at Trump Marina is having one of its best seasons ever – thanks to people like you who choose to party here! The Deck is A.C.’s hottest outdoor hangout with live music 7 nights a week, great food including a barbecue each weekend and a Seafood Festival on August 15.  Enjoy drink specials, prizes and giveaways. Use your Comp Dollars to enjoy lunch or dinner outdoors, overlooking the marina, then jam out or dance to live music as you make this the ultimate summer to remember. The Deck is your place to let loose seven days and nights a week. Plus, we’re even serving up breakfast every weekend all summer long. Whether you come by land, air or sea…just come—to The Deck at Trump Marina.

The Belmonts are Back!
Take a trip down Memory Lane at Trump Marina! Brothers Management presents The Belmonts on Saturday, August 8 in The Shell. From “A Teenager in Love” to “In the Still of the Night” to “Come On Little Angel,” The Belmonts are legendary Rock & Roll balladeers with harmonies that enveloped a generation and hits that are still embraced today. Relive the 50s and 60s at this special one-night-only performance. Show time is at 8 p.m. and tickets are priced at $30.

Feel the Thunder
Get ready to take flight! Wednesday, August 19 is the annual Atlantic City Airshow, “Thunder Over The Boardwalk.” With performances and demonstrations by the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, Coast Guard, U.S. Navy, Air National Guard and others, you’ll want to catch the high-speed action of one of summer’s biggest attractions. The show is from 11 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.

Ragdoll, A Tribute to Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons
Brothers Management presents Ragdoll on August 29 and 30. It’s the ultimate tribute to some of the greatest New Jersey icons of all time–Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons. Known as one of the best tribute bands around, Ragdoll recreates the unmistakable harmonies and signature falsetto for which the rock and roll legends are known. You’ll enjoy chart-topping hits such as “Sherry,” “Big Girls Don’t Cry,” “Ragdoll,” “Can’t Take My Eyes Off You,” “Stay,” “Oh, What a Night” and more hits than we can name! Don’t miss this nostalgic and fun show in The Shell on Saturday, August 29 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, August 30 at 7 p.m. Tickets are priced at $25.

Your Email Could Mean $10 Bonus Slot Dollars or $20 in Matchplay
If you became a Trump One Cardholder prior to March 1, 2009 and have yet to give us your email address, then now is the time! This August we’re making it worth your while by giving you $10 in Bonus Slot Dollars or $20 in Matchplay when you give us your valid email address. And that’s just one of the great reasons to connect with us electronically. You’ll start receiving your exclusive email-only offers and promotions. Plus, email helps us conserve paper, so together we can help the planet. Just stop by Trump One Services to get started—then keep an eye out for an email with your reward!

Shoppers Rejoice!
As if you needed another reason to love shopping. At Trump Exchange we’ve made shopping so easy, that it’s truly the shopper’s dream. And we’re always adding the latest top-quality merchandise. So check out what’s new and then use the Comp Dollars you earn to buy it. Trump Exchange showcases the best in electronics, house wares, designer clothing and luggage, and a whole lot more. Your Comp Dollars make shopping easy at Trump Exchange. And we make it even easier with our Trump One Rewards Catalog. Pick up a Catalog at Trump One Services or Trump Exchange and see everything that’s in the store. Plus, you’ll find unique offerings, like unforgettable travel experiences. Trump Exchange and the Trump One Rewards Catalog – two winning ways to shop.

And…The Parking’s On Us
To show you our appreciation, we’re giving all Trump One Cardholders free parking in the self-park garage. It’s our way of thanking you for making Trump Marina your place to play. So stop in now through August 31 to enjoy free parking–and chances to win big!