Boardwalk bulletin

Our East Coast correspondent paid a midweek visit to Borgata and saw relatively few slot players (despite a very attractive slot floor, above) but three busloads of conventioneers. Seems that a conclave of prosecutors was being held at the MGM Resorts International megaresort. Reports our faithful scribe, “if they are involved in investigation of graft and corruption in New Jersey it will be a very long conference! Parts of the casino were crowded, other parts were nearly empty.” As for Borgata’s lovely display of antique mirrors (below), our correspondent sourly observed that they “are part of the ‘smoke and mirrors’ benefit to their players.”

Business in Atlantic City can’t be very bad, however, judging by the weekend traffic in the Marina District:

That’s Borgata in the background. Golden Nugget Atlantic City, from whence the photo was taken, was “busy” and Ocean Casino Resort “very busy.” We’re glad to hear it. The acid test will come next week when labor pacts expire. All parties involved are taking this right down to the wire. At the heart of the Boardwalk, the water park Bart Blatstein is building at Showboat is proceeding very slowly, judging by our reporter’s photos, meaning that Showboat will miss the lucrative summer months. To quote Samuel Beckett, “Nothing to be done.”

Here’s the scene at the Golden Nugget, a sight sure to gladden Tilman Fertitta‘s heart:

The lounge vibe was still pretty dead (even on a weekend) but at least the bartender stayed at his post this time. And last, but hardly least, this vignette from Ocean Casino testifies to its high ‘cool’ factor, one that is giving an edge in a very competitive market. With all due respect to Caesars Entertainment‘s property refresh, it’s let Hard Rock Atlantic City and Ocean steal a march on it, and will have no small amount of catching up to do.