The Atlantic City Hilton hasn’t paid its mortgage for more than a year, and the lender wants to put the casino up for sale to get its money back, the local paper reported Saturday. It filed papers in federal court asking a receiver to take over the property until it can be sold.

   Go into the place, even on a Saturday night in the summer, and you’ll see why. The casino floor is dead.

   The Hilton has done a lot recently to bring people in the door. They’re having a series of political speakers, including former President Bill Clinton and former Vice President Dick Cheney. They’ve opened a few new restaurants that are quite good. They opened a full-pay video-poker section, but it has few players – all while people line up to get on the few good machines at Harrah’s properties.

   Long-time Atlantic City visitors know the Hilton was once Steve Wynn’s Golden Nugget, and it is full of luxurious appointments that show his style. But it’s apparently not enough to keep the players coming in a bad economy.

   Sister property Resorts is also in dire financial straits, and rumored to be up for sale.

   Both properties have some of the best gambling opportunities in Atlantic City, especially for video-poker players. Take advantage of them while you can, but don’t let your comp account build up. You might end up losing it.

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