Mob merriment; Golden Nugget woes

What the hell were you thinking, Bally’s Corp.? The company’s struggling Atlantic City casino recently hosted a meet-and-greet featuring mobster Gianni Russo. Our Boardwalk correspondent, who was there, says Russo is “a lifelong member of the Mafia, who was in The Godfather. [He played Talia Shire‘s doomed husband.] It was both a strange and very interesting presentation. He told his story along with screens showing many photos of people he interacted with, with film clips (my favorite was Elvis Presley and Frank Sinatra singing a song together), newspaper headlines, and also sang a few songs! The promotions said there would be gifts; they had five violin-shaped liquor bottles, and each invited guest received a signed copy of his book . No other gifts. They had an open bar and some desserts.”

Imagine, if you will, a Las Vegas casino event whose guest of honor was the late Lefty Rosenthal. Wouldn’t happen, would it? Nevada regulation is often the butt of our jokes but casino execs who frequented Russo’s company would have some ‘splainin’ to do. Hell, when the Tropicana Las Vegas opened its ill-fated Mob Experience, it didn’t invite actual mademen to show the flag. (Jimmy Caan had to suffice.) Russo has 23 indictments and a so-called “justifiable homicide” on his rap sheet. The only hit parade on which he’s ever belonged it is that of Pablo Escobar. By celebrating Russo, Bally’s Atlantic City is lionizing organized crime and should be sanctioned by New Jersey regulators.

Over at fellow grind joint the Golden Nugget, times are so tough that free parking is reported to soon be a thing of the past. Our man reports, “near Vic & Anthony’s steakhouse, they took out a bunch of slot machines, put some new carpet, and added four tables each with four chairs and a sign with the prices of drinks ($7.50 for most beers—no mention the beer is free at the slot machines a few feet away). So far, only a few people were sitting there, but not drinking. On Saturday night, Golden Nugget had their ‘Elite level’ party. We dressed up but didn’t need to. The event lasted only 30-35 minutes, not counting the 10-minute line to get in. They called about 10 winners of cash prizes. They had an open bar and some desserts. Not much to offer their second-top tier players.”

Grind joints like the Nugget have reason to raise their game. According to Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen, a New York City casino would suck as much as 30% of the gambling revenue out of Atlantic City, forcing at least one casino to close. And it’s not going to be Hard Rock. Resorts Atlantic City President Mark Giannantonio ducked the question, as well he might. Meanwhile, Mayor Marty Small (D) is missing an economic-development opportunity. The city has released a map showing all the current and planned locations of cannabis sales. However, no accompanying map showed where to buy snacks afterward. For shame, Marty.

Quote of the Day: “After spending a week in Bossier City/Shreveport, I can tell you that Par-A-Dice is no longer BYD’s shittiest property. Sams Town Shreveport wins by a mile. Will never understand why BYD keeps properties like those two open.”—Alan Woinski