Looking for someplace to ride out the storm. Ocean Resort is full through September 15 but comped rooms will be available after that. “We completely understand the concern for families and the 
community during times like this, so we want to do our part by providing somewhere safe, warm and dry to those impacted by Hurricane Florence,” said owner Bruce Deifik. If you’ve got a driver’s license and proof that you’re in an area impacted by Florence that’s your ticket to a free stay at Ocean Resort. Deifik is to be commended for his philanthropy — and for giving many people warm fuzzies about Ocean Resort that will hopefully keep them coming back for more. Your turn, everybody else.
Elsewhere on the Boardwalk, Eldorado Resorts is on the verge of taking over Tropicana Atlantic City, having received provisional approval to own the resort. Even though the Trop is sitting in the #2 spot in the Atlantic City market, President Thomas Reeg was taking nothing for granted. “We’re coming in eyes wide open that we’re going to have to fight for our position in this 
market. We expect a fight for market share and we’re prepared to get involved. We’re buying an asset that we hope is standing and competing 50, 100 years from now,” he told regulators.
According to Eldorado, it won’t have to do much with its new trophy property, which benefited from capex reinvestment under Carl Icahn‘s ownership, although a permanent sports book will be added. Eldorado is taking the keys to seven Icahn-owned casinos, including two in Nevada, Tropicana Laughlin Hotel & Casino and Montbleu Casino Hotel Resort & Spa. “We’re not new to competition. Reno is as much if not more competitive. We will be able to compete favorably; we have in every market we’ve been in … Atlantic City is on a roll, and we’re on the upside of that roll,” said Eldorado CEO Gary Carano. We’re eager to see if the Caranos can outdo Icahn.
* Pennsylvania licenses for Internet gambling are going like hotcakes. The two latest have gone to SugarHouse and Hollywood Casino. That makes 11 out of 13. (Plus a poker license that Presque Isle Downs left on the table.) The only casinos still sitting it out are The Meadows and Lady Luck Nemacolin, which could use all the help it could get but may not be able to afford the license fee. Once an ownership transfer to Churchill Downs is complete, Lady Luck’s status could change. They may have to act fast, though: The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will soon open the application process to out-of-state operators.
* Not only is Wynncore currently getting 75% of its power from renewable sources but its 160-acre solar farm will fully power the new 
convention center when it debuts in 2020. It’s just good business — and good PR — says Wynn Resorts Chief Sustainability Officer Erik Hansen. “What we normally would spend on power, we can spend to enhance our resorts and upgrade other technology such as LED lighting. Those funds can be put into enhancing the guest experience directly,” Hansen says.
* Mohegan Sun is stuck in the mud in East Windsor and struggling to stay out of last place in Atlantic City. But its reach continues to grow. Ontario Lottery & Gaming has farmed out the operation of two Niagara Falls casinos to the Mohegans. Workers at Casino Niagara and Niagara Fallsview Casino are promised a 
year of job security once Mohegan Sun takes the keys. We operate the top properties in each of our respective markets, and our success is due precisely to the incredible efforts and talents of our team members … The employees of the facilities in Niagara will be no different, and we have no expectation of any changes at this time,” said CEO Mario Kontomerkos. It’s a sweet deal for Mohegan Sun, running 21 years.
Another feather in Mohegan Sun’s cap is that it’s the only venue to host two Kelly Clarkson concerts (March 14 & 15) in her upcoming “Meaning of Life” tour. Tickets go on sale Sept. 24, so don’t hesitate.
