Atlantic City‘s first casino, Resorts Atlantic City, celebrated the 45th anniversary of legalized gambling on the Boardwalk in rather limp fashion. Highlights included a beachball drop and an appearance by Mayor Marty Small (D). Well, we suppose he’s got to do something besides be a sock puppet for Trenton. Small was accompanied by Atlantic City’s new resident celebrity, Kelsey Grammer, who was evidently “assistant mayor” for the occasion. Is being a Small sidekick that much of an honorific? To cap the festivities, Resorts rolled out … a tribute band?!?! Yes, it’s the New York Bee Gees, adding to the perception of the Boardwalk as an also-ran destination for entertainers.
Speaking of getting jiggy with it in Atlantic City, the head of the cannabis review board, Kashawn McKinley, told a local newspaper that “we’re trying to position Atlantic City as the cannabis hub for the East Coast.” (Picture the clouds of hemp over the Boardwalk.) The idea is to reinvent the Claridge Hotel as a toker haven. “Picture low lighting, comfortable chairs, relaxing music and a warm feeling of well-being,” said McKinley. Now, how does he plan to get around the state’s indoor-smoking ban if the loco weed isn’t being puffed in a casino?
Meanwhile, our East Coast correspondent had a rather eventful arrival at the Golden Nugget, the newest grind joint in town. “Someone ran out of the casino trying to catch the jitney, almost got hit by our car, then bolted over a two-foot wall to get to the bus. Unfortunately, the sidewalk level on the other side of the wall is about four feet down. And down is what happened next. As he was yelling, his girl friend told the security guard, ‘Don’t worry, he’s OK.’ One of the valet people told us the security guard was already following the person as he fell down once inside the casino. The valet person called the situation ‘this afternoon’s entertainment.'”
Does Borgata have anything to worry about? Our scribe was told by his daughter-in-law, “This [place] is busy but Hard Rock was totally jammed.” That’s surely music to Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen‘s ears. Meanwhile, ‘El diablo’ nickel-and-diming has come to Caesars Atlantic City. Not only is the buffet gone but—to add insult to injury—the Diamond Lounge that replaced it monitors your time there. Yes, you have an hour to hang out before being told, “It’s time for you to leave.” Nice move, Caesars Entertainment. Shades of the pinchpenny Gary Loveman era.
Meanwhile, Bally’s Atlantic City has taken several steps back after a few forward. For instance, your $55 Easter brunch gets you … a hamburger, pizza or sandwich. We can’t believe our ears. That’s an incredibly “stiff” move, Bally’s Corp. There’s more: At the VIP lounge, our reporter says, the entrées have gotten better. However, soup and salad and entrée all arrive simultaneously, meaning that you have the option of eating a hot entrée followed by cold soup or vice versa. “When my wife questioned the server, he said ‘We are now required to do it that way.’ What ‘management’ type would do this to their better customers?” Bally’s, that’s who!
Jottings: Both MGM Resorts International and MGM China are now pimping for the ChiComms. Global Gaming Business reports that the duo are splurging to “open more international marketing offices” to plug China—and specifically Macao—as a tourism destination. The six Macanese casino concessionaires made a Faustian pact in order to stay put and the devil has come speedily to collect …The same publication reveals that Greenbrier resort in West Virginia has now become the top-performing casino in that state, ousting Hollywood Charles Town for the first time in a year and a half. Our condolences, Penn Entertainment … An FBI investigation into corruption in college sports went spectacularly awry when one of the agents got plastered on vodka and beer, then hit the Las Vegas Strip. What could go wrong? Pretty much everything, according to the Los Angeles Times.
