I’ll be at the Winter Getaway for the next few days, so you won’t be getting any posts. On the other hand, if you’ve got an interest in poetry or prose and can make it down to Cape May (New Jersey), I think there still might be space for late sign-ups. As the website itself […]
For some reason, people always ask me where they can buy my books. The first two, you’ll probably have to go online, but I usually tell them that any real bookstore should stock the latest one or order it on request, or they can go to any of several online booksellers and buy a copy
Rolling the Bones at Borders Read More »
atlantic cityWith two of the world’s biggest casinos in Connecticut, slot parlors opening in Pennsylvania, and more gambling likely in New York and Maryland, Atlantic City really needs something besides blackjack and slots to attract gamblers. For years, I’ve said that sports betting would be a natural. Unfortunately, Congress doesn’t think so, but at last–thanks to
Sports betting coming to AC? Read More »
atlantic cityThe Sands casino hotel closed in Atlantic City about 5 weeks ago. What, you may wonder, happens to a company’s philanthropic projects when it folds? In this case, another casino steps in to pick up the slack. From the AC Press: There was plenty to cheer about Tuesday afternoon as residents of the Eastern Pines
Borgata picks up after Sands Read More »
atlantic cityThe biggest news today might be the lack of news about the Harrah’s Entertainment LBO. From the LVRJ: A meeting that no one will confirm is taking place could determine the direction of the gaming industry’s largest casino operator. Almost 10 weeks after two private equity groups bid more than $15 billion to take Harrah’s
Harrah’s up for grabs? Read More »
atlantic city, life in vegas, news about gamblingYesteday, Iowa governor Tom Vlisack announced his candidacy for the 2008 Democratic presidential nomination. Anyone who was reading back in my Casino [ptz] days then will remember the controversy that Vilsack’s wife unleashed when she accused South Jerseyeans of talking like fish: “The only way I can speak like residents of New Jersey and eastern
Fish-talking (potential) first lady Read More »
atlantic cityI always keep an eye open for a good turn of phrase in the sometimes-dry world of gaming and casino news. Adam Goldman with the AP had some great phrases (anyone remember the great pedicab pedophiles line?) So I was pleased to see David McKee of the Las Vegas Business Press have some fun with
One-liner of the week Read More »
atlantic city, life in vegasJay Sarno once said that it doesn’t take any talent to give stuff away. It might not be a coincidence that the Sands is celebrating its closing…by giving stuff away. From the AC Press: The Sands Casino Hotel will be giving money away on its final night of business. Really, it will. Lucky gamblers will
You can’t not love this AC Press headline: It’s church vs. state in Lower Twp. vulture war There’s actually a story behind it: The Rev. Robert Forbes takes the pulpit here at St. John of God Church to warn his parishioners about all kinds of problems in the world, but his latest concern is a
Few people would be willing to turn down a free ride, particularly to a casino. But the Atlantic City Jitney Association is hoping that Harrah’s patrons will. At least that’s the story according to the AC Press: The drivers of the resort’s 190 jitneys are taking their campaign against a new casino shuttle to the
It’s been no secret that the Sands will be closing, but now it’s official: Atlantic City’s second casino to close will do so on November 11: From the AC Press: At 6 o’clock in the morning, gamblers will be shooed off the casino floor. By noon, the last hotel guests will have packed up and
Sands closing 11/11 Read More »
atlantic cityThere’s been speculation for months, but it seems that it’s gone to the next level: Steve Wynn has been physically present in Atlantic City, apparently talking turkey with politicos. From the Star-Ledger: Steve Wynn, the man who was anointed king of the casino industry after he remade Las Vegas in the 1990s, wants to roll
Wynn Atlantic City? Really? Read More »
atlantic cityI’m in Atlantic City, and the big news is the purchase and imminent closing of the Sands. You can read about it from the Inquirer: Las Vegas-based Pinnacle Entertainment Inc. will buy the Sands Hotel & Casino – the smallest casino in an Atlantic City that has been getting bigger and brighter – and a
Las Vegas’s Sands has been gone for a while now, but in Atlantic City a casino by that name soldiers on. And it will soon have a new owner, who might tear it down and start from scratch. From the AC Press: Billionaire investor Carl C. Icahn is negotiating to sell the Sands Casino Hotel
Anyone got $250 mil? Read More »
atlantic cityThere was an interesting piece in the Review-Journal on Joel Bergman, a prolific casino architect: Joel Bergman dislikes awards. He doesn’t enter competitions for them. He believes the application process can give away too much inside information about his company, one of the gaming industry’s leading architectural design firms. Advertisement So when the Global Gaming
Designing the Nugget, twice Read More »
atlantic city, life in vegasNot content with being a gaming and tourism juggernaut, Nevada is actively courting non-gaming development–at the expense of other states. It’s hardly surprising that New Jersey is at the top of the list of targets. From the AC Press: When the Nevada Development Authority, or NDA, picked New Jersey as the first target of its
I think these two stories illustrate the differences between Atlantic City and Las Vegas. A major property in one is bringing itself boldly into post-1991 style, while the other is redefining the casino resort. First things first from the Press: “Purple and pink. Aye-yai-yai-yai-yai,†Mark Juliano moaned with obvious displeasure. “Have you ever seen so
A Tale of Two Cities Read More »
atlantic city, life in vegasAlthough the needless bureucratic closure of Atlantic City’s casinos has come and gone, some legislators want to help out the real victims–the workers who had a few days of involuntary unpaid vacation. From the AP: State workers who got unexpected holidays last week because of New Jersey’s government shutdown will be paid anyway. Now Shore-area
As far as Atlantic City’s concerned, it looks like the whole “budget impasse” is going to result in little more than two days’ LWOP (leave without pay) for many workers and loads of bad publicity. It could have been worse. Apparently, the guv will get his tax hike, and state employees will be headed back
Casinos to reopen tomorrow? Read More »
atlantic cityWell, the governor went ahead and did it: New Jersey’s Jon Corzine, in an impasse with the legislature over his plan to raise the sales tax, has ordered the closure of Atlantic City’s casinos, which employ about 50,000 state residents this time of year. From Reuters: Atlantic City casinos could lose more than $20 million
Shutdown at the shore Read More »
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