News, notes and commentary about the casino capital of the East, and the author’s hometown.
This story is just appalling: a disgruntled patron shot a Trump Taj Mahal casino executive in cold blood, allegedly because he was frustrated by his roulette losses. From the AC Press: Despite his claims that he racked up millions of dollars in gambling losses, the accused killer of a casino supervisor actually won $1,100 this […]
Casino manager murdered in AC Read More »
atlantic cityAlmost 20 years to the day that Stanley Fujitake made gambling history at the California in downtown Las Vegas, a woman in Atlantic City has taken his crown as the longest craps roller ever. From the AC Press: A Morris County woman gave a whole new meaning to the expression “being on a roll,” as
Woman with the golden arm Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingThe Press reports that the Tropicana Atlantic City is almost ready to go on the block: After a 16-month saga, Tropicana Casino and Resort is one step closer to being sold. New Jersey gaming regulators today authorized the property to be auctioned off in bankruptcy. Gary S. Stein, the state-appointed conservator overseeing the sale, said
Trop sale soon…really Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingNo one ever said that Atlantic City was recession-proof, and now we have the numbers to back it up. Revenues fell 7.1% in 2008, with profits down by 25%. From the AC Press: The casinos can still make money, but the industry is far from recession-proof. While gross operating profits fell significantly in 2008 and
AC feeling the crunch Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingApparently Atlantic City poker players aren’t quite ready for poker to evolve. Trump Plaza has pulled its electronic poker tables, along with most of its East Tower casino. From the AC Press: They were fast, mistake-proof and didn’t need to be tipped. But they had no personality. So now they’re gone. Atlantic City’s experiment with
Trump Plaza KOs robo-poker Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingI apologize for missing this when it first came out, but better late than never. From the AC Press: An intruder into the Ballys Atlantic City kitchen was nabbed Thursday night with 91 pounds of frozen lobster stuffed under his clothes and in a backpack, according to Atlantic City police. The would-be Danny Ocean planned
I’ve got an article in the latest Casino Connection about drumming legend Chris Columbo, who never gave up on Atlantic City: Atlantic City’s always been known for its entertainment, and for more than seven decades, one man helped the beat go on. From the Jazz Age to the 1990s, Joseph Chris Columbus Morris was one
Chris Columbo article Read More »
atlantic cityThings in Atlantic City are just as bad as in Las Vegas, only on a slower, small scale, just like when things were good they were slightly less good than out in Vegas. That’s my analysis. For the story, check out Fox News: One casino in the nation's second largest gambling market is being run
Atlantic City’s oldest casino is in bad shape. From the AC Press: Resorts is struggling for survival. Its owner is possibly facing the same fate as scores of recession-ravaged Americans who have defaulted on their mortgage – foreclosure. In an unprecedented move, Resorts' chief lender is seeking New Jersey Casino Control Commission approval to take
Big trouble at Resorts Read More »
atlantic cityI’ve got to hand it to the folks at Pinnacle–they know how to make people laugh. Take, for example, what must surely be a bit of gallows humor from Dan Lee and company: billboards along the Atlantic City Expressway reading, “You know what this town needs? Another casino” (or something like that). Yes, with declining
What this town needs Read More »
atlantic cityWith 2008 almost history, I’ve got a new Atlantic City history article in Casino Connection to tell you about: Casino Connection Atlantic City | AC History | Curtain up. It’s all about the proliferation and disappearance of theaters along the Boardwalk.
Theater time in AC Read More »
atlantic cityYou might have noticed that I do a great deal of writing. Whether it’s the daily blogging, the articles for the Las Vegas Business Press, Casino Connection, and elsewhere, or the books, writing is something that is very important to me, both professionally and because I like to do it. Since it means so much
I didn’t write this…not exactly Read More »
atlantic city, writingReading David McKee’s post on the TI sale to Phil Ruffin, something clicked that made me realize the transaction made perfect sense. For a while now, MGM Mirage has been positioning itself as a casino builder and hospitality brand manager. The international moves are ample evidence of that, as are the City Center partnership with
Thanks to a legislative loophole, Delaware is one of only four states allowed to license legal sports betting. In a few months, you may be able to get action down legally in the Diamond State–with a few caveats. From the Philly Inquirer: Atlantic City’s hopes of a gaming-industry rebound in 2009 might be about to
Delaware to bet on sports? Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingI don’t have any point here–I just thought that this Ventnor reference was funny. From the Examiner: A cold wind blows along the boardwalk today, and no, this isnt a prelude for Springsteens version of Santa Claus is Coming to Town. Its about contrast. While the barren boardwalk in neighboring Ventnor is part of the
Ventnor is desolate this time of year Read More »
atlantic cityI’ve got an issue with this New York Times editorial. See if you can guess why: Asked to choose between the casinos and the health of the people who work in them, Atlantic City has sided with the casinos. The City Council voted in October to allow smoking in the city’s gambling parlors for at
Gambling with word choice Read More »
atlantic cityAs Atlantic City continues its own Year of the Four Emperors, its fourth mayor in a year has just been sworn in. New mayor Lorenzo Langford used his swearing in not to talk about the effect of the weakened economy on the city’s biggest industry or other weighty issues, but instead took a hard line
Word of warning from new AC mayor Read More »
atlantic cityIf you are interested in gambling in Atlantic City, Pennsylvania, Marlyland, check out this new blog;Gaming Atlantic – A Casino Blog by James Karmel.
Chuckmonster over at ACTripping was kind enough to post an extended rant, followed by pictures that I took of Atlantic City. If I was allowed to do a stream-of-consciousness lecture with Powerpoint, it would look something like this. Check it out, from ACTripping: Since Ive been in Las Vegas, Ive made it back to AC
Updating Atlantic City Read More »
atlantic cityThis stuff just writes itself. The Atlantic City one-week smoking ban-ban, which I derided as a hallmark of small-town politics, is going to get longer–because a councilman is on vacation. From the http://www.pressofatlanticcity.com/186/story/284950.html: A City Council member's vacation cruise will extend a casino smoking ban for an extra five days to at least 12 days.
More small-town fun Read More »
atlantic city, news about gambling