Just like the Clinton Administration galvanized and nurtured conservative talk radio during the 1990s, the Tropicana Atlantic City is going to keep me posting. If I still lived in Atlantic City, I’d walk down there every day and probably come back with classic 1000-word posts. Take, for example, this entertainment listing that I found in […]
That must be the sentiment in Columbia Sussex’s executive offices today, if they read the Houston Chronicle: A wealthy casino operator is defending an eye-catching $1 million contribution to a political group that worked to elect a pro-gambling governor in Kentucky. William Yung III, who heads Crestview Hills-based Columbia Sussex Corp., has essentially placed a
Positive press at last! Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingI could write a book about the short-sighted/self-defeating things that have kept Atlantic City from becoming a truly great resort. Knowing me, I probably will some day. If I do, there will be a chapter about the NJ legislature’s baffling failure to approve sports betting before the feds closed the window in 1993. Back then,
Sports betting do-over in AC? Read More »
atlantic cityAtlantic City has an important decision to make: how to sell the last big piece of casino-developable land (at least until the zoning is changed). Right now, the Casino Redevelopment Agency is planning to take bids on the 140-acre tract at Bader Field, but Penn National wants to do an end-run around the process by
Penn National offer…stupid or savvy? Read More »
atlantic cityNo, the Tropicana didn’t sign Celine Dion. Instead, in the best AC tradition, the casino is launching a new advertising campaign to convince visitors that there’s no place for squalor and surliness in the court-appointed conservator-run casino. From the AC Press: Tropicana Casino and Resort is overhauling its battered image with the help of a
A new day at the Trop Read More »
atlantic cityIn a few days I’ll be heading the the Winter Poetry & Prose Getaway in Cape May, NJ to lead a workshop in creative nonfiction, so don’t expect too much from me the rest of the week. You might have noticed that I’ve gotten away from straight-up gaming news stories in the past few weeks.
Don’t necessarily believe what you read: they just remodeled the Taj bac pit and are now calling it a salon. For a laugh, check in there and ask for an appointment for a cut and color. From the AC Press: This is no mere gambling den or baccarat pit, but rather, ahem – French accent
Taj bac pit gets makeover Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingLike many a would-be empire-builder, Columbia Sussex met with a serious reverse on its Eastern Front. Having lost its license in New Jersey, the company now has to sell off 3 casinos, and even then might not be in the clear. From the Philly Inquirer: Add Philadelphia; Baton Rouge, La.; and Las Vegas to the
Trop woes continue Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingIn yesterday’s article on the Tropicana license denial, the Press of Pleasantville (I saw that in one of the comments and couldn’t resist) ran a sidebar on past license bids that fizzled. Here it is: 1979 – The Casino Control Commission orders the chairman and vice chairman of the Caesars World board, Clifford and Stuart
Past AC license denials Read More »
atlantic cityIt’s one thing when your competitors say you’re second-rate. It’s another when your complaining customers agree with them. But when state investigators tell the world that your casino is low-class, you’ve got some serious thinking to do. That’s just happened to the Tropicana. From the AC Press: New Jersey’s casino enforcement agency recommended only a
DGE hits Trashicana Read More »
atlantic city, news about gamblingIn January of this year, Columbia Sussex finalized their purchase of Aztar, which owned, among other things, the Tropicanas Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Once they took over, they fired a lot of workers, which got the unions pretty upset. Now, according to the AC Press, the Trop AC is a rundown shadow of its
Too much work means that I can’t finish the book review I was hoping to post today. So instead, here’s some gaming stuff. Revel has gotten approval to proceed with its AC mega-project, but there are some restrictions on the disposition of the Bader Field site. From the AC Press: The Bader Field clause in
The Tropicana is one of the biggest casinos in Atlantic City, and it’s been the scene of massive layoffs. And Local 54, the local (pardon the pun) branch of the UNITE-HERE union, isn’t too happy about it. From the AC Press: Tropicana Casino and Resort’s wholesale layoffs under its new owner have decimated the casino
I’ve been getting a number of questions about MGM Mirage’s plans to build a mega-project next to the Borgata. If you are interested in my opinion, you might want to check out this piece in the LV Business Press: But MGM Mirage’s plan to build a CityCenter East next to the Borgata makes it clear
Great news for Atlantic City: it seems that City Center East–a Strip-style condo/casino/retail development–is one step closer to happening. From the AC Press: No longer content with building a mere casino, gaming giant MGM Mirage Inc. plans to develop a mini-city of gambling, hotel towers and luxury condominiums that would dramatically redefine the Atlantic City
City Center East announced Read More »
atlantic cityWith the closing of the New Frontier, the last bingo room on the Las Vegas Strip was also shuttered. Casino bingo is definitely on the way out in Las Vegas, but it’s still going strong in Atlantic City. From the AC Press: Sounding like a TV game show host, Jason Smida called out numbers while
Usually people applaud companies for giving something away for free. But, as residents know, Atlantic City is anything but usual. So giving casino customers free rides may soon become illegal. From the AC Press: City Council introduced an ordinance Wednesday that would ban the Harrah’s “Total Express” shuttles from the resort streets. Several dozen jitney
AC council seeks to end casino shuttle Read More »
atlantic cityI probably should post on the opening of the Venetian Macau, but I won’t, at least not today. Instead, there’s a casino project on the drawing board in Atlantic City that looks more interesting to me today. From the AC Press: Revel Entertainment Group, an upstart gaming company backed by Wall Street investment giant Morgan
Reveling in a new casino Read More »
atlantic cityNow that Bader Field is closed, Atlantic City casinos can be built much higher. But will plans to make Pacific Avenue ever get off the ground? From the AC Press: The Atlantic City of the future will include taller casinos, resort development on Atlantic Avenue and a one-way Pacific Avenue. At least, those are some
AC casinos getting higher Read More »
atlantic cityMoving to stem a decline in business following the advent of Pennsylvania slot parlors, Atlantic City casino regulators are allowing casinos test out electronic table games. From the AC Press: New Jersey gaming regulators Wednesday approved a new form of electronic gambling to help Atlantic City’s casinos counter extra competition from slot parlors in surrounding
Electronic talking table games for AC Read More »
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