LAS VEGAS AND ATLANTIC CITY TIPS ON TRAVEL, HOTELS, RENTAL CARS.

Atlantic City Images Caesars Taj Sands

2005-12-27T05:48:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Monorail Looks at Expanding to McCarran Airport

2005-12-26T12:56:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Monorail Looks at Expanding to McCarran Airport

The Las Vegas Monorail may be expanding despite ridership numbers lower than expected. The Clark County Commission is allowing the monorail to do a feasibility study to determine if and how the monorail should be extended to McCarran Airport.

Currently, the monorail has about 30,000 riders each day. But officials hope a McCarran expansion would dramatically increase that number.

Las Vegas Monorail CEO Curtis Myles said, "The airport today brings in 56,000 people, about 80-percent are destined for locations between Russell Road and Sahara Boulevard, which is where our current system operates."

Officials say bond sales would likely fund the expansion. And the timing of the proposed expansion would coincide with the estimated completion of terminal three at McCarran International Airport.

Stratosphere Ride Shutting Down

2005-12-26T09:39:00.000-08:00

Stratosphere Ride Shutting Down

Time is running out for people who want to ride the world's highest roller coaster.

The Stratosphere roller coaster will thrill riders for the last time next Friday. After that it will be removed, piece by piece with a crane, over a three month period.

The roller coaster opened on the same day as the hotel, back in April 29, 1996.

Officials say they're getting rid of the ride to make room for another more exciting one. There are still plenty of other thrill rides, 900 feet up on top of the Stratosphere.
Thrill Rides

Thrill seekers of all ages can experience the ultimate in excitement at Stratosphere Las Vegas! At over 100 stories above the ground, the Stratosphere boasts the world's four highest thrill rides; the Big Shot, X Scream, the High Roller roller coaster and Insanity the Ride.

Insanity-The Ride consists of an arm that extends out 64 feet over the edge of the Tower and will spin passengers at up to three 'G's.' As the ride spins faster and faster, the riders are propelled up to an angle of 70 degrees. Riders will experience the thrill of being flung over the edge of the Tower and literally facing downward at the City of Las Vegas below. The ride is programmable with various ride options. An unobstructed view of historic downtown Las Vegas rewards those riders brave enough to experience three 'G's' at a height of more than 900 feet.

Last hurrah for Westward Ho

2005-12-26T07:11:00.000-08:00

The story tells it all for the Ho.
Last hurrah for Westward Ho

Patrons turn out, turn wistful on closing day for budget hotel-casino

By JENNIFER ROBISON
REVIEW-JOURNAL

Westward Ho employees and patrons dance through the casino Thursday, ahead of the closure of the 40-year-old Strip casino.
Photo by Jeff Scheid.

Rita Bedell, left, from North Carolina hugs Westward Ho cocktail waitress Jerlis Meadows after the casino closed on Thursday afternoon.
Photo by Jeff Scheid.

Caesars Palace just won't cut it for Lynn Travassaros.

No fancy shopping malls, Wolfgang Puck restaurants or Celine Dion concerts here -- Travassaros prefers the dim, low-ceiling confines of the 40-year-old Westward Ho, with its 99-cent margaritas, $6.95 buffet and Elvis Presley impersonator.
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Travassaros, her husband, Spiro, and her mother, Marie Lyons, have traveled from Huntington Beach, Calif., to stay at the Western-themed property three times a year for the past 25 years, stopping in while en route to ski vacations at Lake Tahoe. As members of the hotel's preferred-customer club, they earned several free room nights each time they visited.

Sitting at a slot machine inside the Westward Ho three hours before the hotel's permanent closure Thursday at 5 p.m., Travassaros mused about where the family will stay now that the property is shuttered.

"We could go to Caesars Palace or Mandalay Bay, but they're just not the same thing," Travassaros said. "They're impersonal. The Westward Ho was just a fun place to go."

The end of the Westward Ho means Travassaros probably will come to Las Vegas less often -- maybe once a year, she said.

Travassaros wasn't the only wistful Westward Ho patron bidding adieu to the hotel Thursday.

In the hours before it closed, the hotel bustled with tourists. The seats at every table game were occupied, the deli had standing-room only and available slot machines were as hard to find as a $6 steak at Wynn Las Vegas.

But one look outside told a different story: All the doors of the 700-room motel behind the casino were open. Most of the rooms were bare. Workers walked from room to room filling cleaning carts with linens. The marquees were blank. Customers streamed out of the casino clutching promotional signs as memorabilia.

Executives of Westward Ho Properties, which owns the hotel, announced in September that the resort's 12-acre parcel was under contract to a Fortune 500 company. Officials declined to name the company, but speculation abounds that the Westward Ho -- once the world's largest motel -- will fall to a high-rise condominium project.

The sale is scheduled to close by the end of the year.

The Westward Ho, wedged between Circus Circus and the Stardust, isn't the only budget hotel-casino to close on or around the Strip this fall. The 166-room Bourbon Street just east of the Barbary Coast closed last month to make way for an unnamed Harrah's Entertainment development. And the trend will continue into 2006, as MGM Mirage closes the 200-room Boardwalk on Jan. 9 in preparation for the company's $5 billion CityCenter project.

David G. Schwartz, director of the Center for Gaming Research at UNLV, said the loss of affordable hotel rooms raises questions about the market segments Las Vegas can cater to in the future.

"I don't think the sky is falling, but as more affordable properties go offline and more premium properties come online, we have to think about what is going to happen with the value-oriented traveler," Schwartz said. "Will they still be attracted to Las Vegas? Will they go to an Indian casino or maybe to Laughlin, Jean or Mesquite?"

Fewer budget properties on the Strip also could translate into better business for casinos in the urban core of Las Vegas, Schwartz said.

"If someone wants a room for $40 or $60 a night downtown, it could be a case of a silver lining for everybody. You would have the more affluent consumer on the Strip and draw more people downtown, too," said Schwartz, who recollects stopping in at the Westward Ho for a 75-cent Heineken on a visit to Las Vegas about six years ago, before he moved to the city in 2001.

"It was pretty cool," he said of the property.

Fletcher Milan liked it, too.

The Cleveland resident visited the Westward Ho with his wife, Donna, twice a year for the past nine years. When Donna Milan called in early October to book the couple's fall trip, the reservation agent told her the property was closing.

"We were upset. This is one of the friendliest properties in town," said Fletcher Milan, who was sitting at a bank of slot machines inside the casino's back entrance just before closing time. "They go out of their way to help you. We'll miss it."

The Milans aren't sure they will come back to Las Vegas now that the Westward Ho is gone. They like the property's north Strip neighborhood, but Fletcher Milan said rumors of redevelopment at the Stardust and the Riviera have him concerned about the Strip's "aim toward the high-roller crowd."

"The more expensive properties can't accommodate us," he said.

Donna Milan -- who won $300 at the Westward Ho Thursday after playing $2 on the penny slots -- isn't sure posh rooms are the best business strategy.

"If you spend all your money on your room, you have no money for gambling," she said, noting that the couple typically spent $50 a night on a room at the Westward Ho.

Jim Dacher, a Rockford, Ill., resident who was milling about a small champagne fountain in the property's final hours, also came out to see the hotel one last time. Dacher and his wife, Norma, started staying at the hotel when it opened 40 years ago.

Jim Dacher said he hated to see the Westward Ho close.

"It was a working-man's casino. They seemed to appreciate our business, and we always had a good time," he said.

The end of the Westward Ho era heralds the end of an era for Dacher, too: He won't be coming back to Las Vegas.

"I'm 80 years old," he said. "This is our last hurrah."

Las Vegas quotes

2005-12-25T07:43:00.000-08:00

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"Las Vegas is the most honest fake city in the world." --Frank Scoblete

"Vegas is becoming an adult pinball palace." --Mark Pilarski

"To the devoted climber there is the lofty peak of Mt. Everest; for the avid golfer there is the wind-swept fairway at St. Andrews; and for the gaming devotee there is the neon-studded allure of Las Vegas." --Marvin Karling Ph.D

"Las Vegas is operating on the lower levels of human need--money, sex, and power. --Ian Andersen

"Las Vegas is loaded with all kinds of gambling devices. Dice tables, slot machines, and wedding chapels." --Joey Adams

"It's mathematically impossible to win (long term) at a game where the other side has the advantage. Vegas was built by players trying to disprove this fact." --Bob Dancer

"Every now and then when your life gets complicated and the weasels start closing in, the only cure is to load up on heinous chemicals and drive like a bastard from Hollywood to Las Vegas ... with the music at top volume and at least a pint of ether."
--Hunter S. Thompson

"I sometimes think of Las Vegas as the Jerusalem of chance. A holy city." --Frank Scoblete

"There are only two sorts of people walking the streets of Las Vegas at 2 a.m. on a winter's night: muggers and broken souls not worth mugging." --Anthony Holden

"The one phrase you'll never hear used to describe Las Vegas is ‘understated elegance.’”
--Barry Meadow

"Las Vegas suffers from all those infrastructural maladies and offers every ounce of the promise. For the immigrant with no English, the autoworker with no assembly line, the desperate hunch player with a fatally flawed dice system, it is the place for fresh starts, second chances, and last stand.” --John L. Smith

"Las Vegas is the only place in the world where you can get tanned and faded at the same time." --Sal Sagev (this is anonymous, Las Vegas spelled backwards)

"More people miss more flights out of Las Vegas than anywhere else." --Andrés Martinez

"Las Vegas is a magnet for the exploration of human darkness." --Adam Fine

And now an only-in-Vegas news report, from the Internet: “It seems that there was a robbery spree of convenience stores overnight and into the wee hours on Friday morning. One of the potential targets was a store in Green Valley, and the masked gunmen entered brandishing automatic weapons and demanding money. One of the perps approached a fellow who was playing video poker in the store and demanded his wallet. The VP player turned it over to the crook, who immediately saw that it contained no money. Apparently, around this time, a bread truck pulled into the lot to make an early-morning delivery, spooking the robbers, who fled the store. Our true trooper turns back to his machine and continues to play. He holds a T,K hearts and calmly draws the J,Q,A for a $1,000 royal. Only in Vegas.

Tony Pace coming to Atlantic City Hilton Theater

2005-12-24T08:53:00.000-08:00

Atlantic City Hilton –

Pace redefines entertainment in his musical comedy "Up on the Roof" coming to the Atlantic City Hilton Theater

LISTING ONLY. Press release to follow.

Tony Pace
Dates: January 8-12
January 17-22
January 29-31
February 1 & 2
Times: 7pm and Fridays at 9pm
Tickets: $30

The Free Black Jack Game

2005-12-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

The Free Black Jack Game Need an online source to practice your black jack skills, here is a site that will assist you in perfecting basic strategy.
http://www.black-jack.ws/
If you are looking for free black jack games, you have come to the right place. We provide you with blackjack casinos reviews where you can play blackjack for fun or for real cash. We also offer you a free blackjack game at this page to sharpen your black jack skills. BlackJack is probably the most popular casino card game on the internet. BlackJack began in the early 1800s in France. The game was called 'twenty one'. It came to the US in the 1900s and was soon the most popular casino game in the Vegas casinos.

At the internet today, there are hundreds of online casinos offering the game of black jack. Most casinos allow to play for free to experience the casino software and tryout the casino games. At this site we give you several online casinos where you could play online blackjack for free or for real.

The fun thing about playing black jack online is the opportunity to chat with other players. Ofcourse you don't have to chat or play in a multi-player room. You can also choose for a private black jack table to play privately against the dealer.

For your convenience we provide you with a free black jack game to practice your skills. Click the link or the pic to start the game.

MGM Mirage Coming to Atlantic City

2005-12-23T17:20:00.000-08:00

More competition will always make it better for us players.

MGM Mirage Coming to Town

This portion of my column is dedicated to those naysayers who continue to say Pinky is wrong when he writes that MGM Mirage is going to build a magnificent casino hotel on the remaining 70 acres they own at the Renaissance Pointe site. It will be located between the Borgata and Harrah's.

I know that many of you remember the history of the development of the 130 acres of former dumpsite that has become Rennaisance Pointe. Steve Wynn, whose Mirage Corporation was given the site by Atlantic City to build a mega-casino hotel, came up with several renditions of what he wanted to build on that site. He showed a lot of renderings, but never produced a development. However, Mirage became a partner with the Boyd Gaming Corporation, who fulfilled the commitment by constructing the Borgata Casino Hotel & Spa, which helped revitalize Atlantic City's casino industry.

MGM Grand purchased Steve Wynn's Mirage Corporation and they became the MGM Mirage Corporation. A couple of years ago Terry Lanni, CEO of MGM Mirage, told attendees at a casino meeting at Boardwalk Hall that the company was going to build on their Atlantic City site. Unfortunately, their Atlantic City plans were put back in the closet and they remained there until earlier this year. Due to the success of the Borgata facility, which is 50-percent owned by MGM Mirage, the plans have been taken out of the closet.

As this writer has revealed, MGM Mirage has put together a construction team that has been having meetings in Las Vegas. They are getting ready to come to Atlantic City sometime in the early part of 2006 to make an announcement. They will then begin their permit phase and hopefully, by mid year, they anticipate putting their plan into the construction phase of development. Believe me, it is going to happen. You can bet on it.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Enzo Stuarti Now Singing in Heaven

Forty-four years ago, Jack Berenato, owner and operator of Luigi's Restaurant, at Arkansas and Pacific avenues, asked me if I would be interested in managing a nightclub he was building, adjacent to the restaurant, to be called Luigi's Gondola Room. He was informed that this writer had no experience in that field. He said we would learn together. And that we did. We went to New York and met with several booking agents at Toots Shore's restaurant. It was there that we lined up most of the acts for that summer. They included Leslie Uggams, Dick Haymes, Fran Jeffries, Allen and Rossi, Kitty Kallen, Earl Grant and several others.

We had a date open in early July and an agent told us about Enzo Stuarti, a singer who had received rave reviews and just closed at New York's Plaza Hotel. We booked him along with a relatively unknown comedian named Pat Cooper. It turned out to be one of the best shows we had all summer, so good that we booked them back for the Labor Day weekend.

Cooper, as most of you know, turned out to be an outstanding comic who has played the Atlantic City casino circuit for years. Enzo Stuarti returned on many occasions and was acclaimed for his powerful voice and warm, friendly personality. He taught his audience something as he ended his show with a statement that I adopted as a way of life. His closing line was, "In this world there are not strangers, only friends who haven't met."

Stuarti personified that idea as he greeted one and all and treated everybody equally no matter who they were. Earlier this week, Stuarti took a booking he couldn't refuse. He has an eternal booking in heaven's top nightclub, alongside Frank Sinatra and Sammy Davis, Jr. He led a full, rewarding and enjoyable life and made those who saw his act feel like they were a part of his family. This column closed using that theme for many years in its earlier days and in tribute to Enzo Stuarti and because many of us need to be reminded of this concept, it will again become the closing line of this column.

Las Vegas Casino Death Watch

2005-12-23T10:46:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Casino Death Watch

Ever wondered what is in store for your old favorite las vegas casino? Here is a cool site that will keep you updated.
Preamble
This is Nick Christenson's Las Vegas Casino Death Watch page. Here we track the hotel/casinos that we feel are most likely to close their doors in the near future.
This page focuses on the larger Las Vegas Strip and Downtown hotel/casino combination properties. We're not going to make quite the same effort to keep track of the locals places since unless their name has "Station" or "Coast" in it, they all look to us like they might close their doors at any time. Of course, these days there aren't that many locals joints that don't have "Station" or "Coast" in their names. Also, these properties don't tend to have the same sort of history associated with them that the more familiar names do.
We also don't plan to expand the Death Watch to casinos outside of Las Vegas. We're not nearly as familiar with those places, and we can't get as much good information about them. Besides, Las Vegas is still where the big expansion is, and where many of the major closings have been.
Please note that this is not intended to be some sort of insult to these properties, and we're definitely not trying to kick anyone when they're down. We're a big fan of the "Old Vegas" style. We'd much rather have spent time at the Desert Inn then, say, New York, New York. We think of the properties listed below much like an aging relative or sick friend. We'll shed a tear when they're gone, but it may be time to take a dose of reality and come to terms with the fact that these places may not be around much longer, so we should enjoy them while they're still with us.
We also encourage folks to give business to these places. I never got a chance to visit the Dunes, the Landmark, the Sands, the Hacienda, or the Pioneer. While this isn't likely to rate very high on my list of life's big disappointments, if I had an opportunity to see these places in their prime, I'd certainly want to do so. This list is designed to help folks appreciate historic Las Vegas locations before they're gone.
Finally, this information is compiled by us and represents only our opinions. There are no good reasons to think that our predictions here mean anything. We have no "inside information", and compile this list only from what we hear from folks we meet and articles we read. This information is likely to be wildly inaccurate, so take that as you will.
For those of you interested in Las Vegas casino ownership information, We've created a page to track that information. Fans of the Death Watch may want to check it out. Several people have asked for information on who owns what property, whether they're publicly tradable or not, and what their stock ticker symbol is. All this information is available on the new page.

SSmoking ban&apos,s casino exemption denounced

2005-12-22T13:12:00.000-08:00

I feel this article will have a divided stance on casino patrons, if casinos want to please both sides they should create true non-smoking areas, like having separtae floors, not the areas simply divided by an imaginary line over which the smoke drifts anyway.
Smoking ban&apos,s casino exemption denounced: An Atlantic City bar owner said the compromise would kill her businesses. State Senate approval is expected today (The Philadelphia Inquirer) By Elisa Ung, The Philadelphia Inquirer, The Philadelphia Inquirer Knight Ridder/Tribune Business News Dec. 15--TRENTON -- Cathy Burke says legislation that would ban smoking in all indoor places except casino gaming floors would put her out of business. Burke, owner of the Irish Pub on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, says the roughly 90 percent of her customers who smoke will move next door and have a cigarette in a casino. "This is the stake through our heart, without a doubt," she said yesterday at a Statehouse news conference organized by the New Jersey Restaurant Association. Acting Gov. Richard J. Codey this year brokered a compromise that included the casino exemption, and the state Senate is expected to approve the measure today. The bill would then head to the Assembly, where Speaker Albio Sires (D., Hudson) said he would be "interested in looking at it" during the lame-duck legislative session -- assuming the casino exemption was attached. Burke said that while she opposed any smoking ban, the casino exemption would hurt her much more than an outright prohibition. Already, she said, she has a hard time competing with the "millions of free drinks" given to gamblers on casino floors. State Sen. John Adler (D., Camden), a primary sponsor of the bill, pointed out that smoking would be allowed only on casino floors. Some casinos have bars in gaming areas, but smoking would not be permitted in the rest of the casinos' bars or restaurants, he said. "We know that in states that have banned smoking... that it has been good for the hospitality industry and good for public health," Adler said. Keith Johnson, owner of Laurel Lanes Bowling Center and Brewster's Pub on Route 73 in Maple Shade, said bowling-alley owners had hoped for an exemption of their own, one that would allow smoking rooms. Otherwise, he said, his patrons could step outside for a smoke wearing bowling shoes, step in a puddle, and slide on the slick alley floors. Armando Frallicciardi Jr. said the ban would hurt his popular Trenton restaurant, Lorenzo's, where the state's political elite meet for a meal and often a smoke. "When people are doing business deals, that seems to be when they want to have cigars or cigarettes," he said. Of a group of 13 state troopers in his restaurant recently, seven were smoking cigars, Frallicciardi said. "I find it a little alarming that the same state troopers we pay to protect us... somehow the state has to protect them from themselves."

NORTH LAS VEGAS TO GET ANOTHER STATION CASINO

2005-12-20T13:16:00.000-08:00

NORTH LAS VEGAS TO GET ANOTHER STATION CASINO

Station Casinos, Inc. (NYSE: STN--"Station") and The Greenspun Corporation have announced that they have entered into an agreement to develop Aliante Station, a hotel and casino in Aliante, a 1,905-acre master-planned community in North Las Vegas. Station will develop and manage the facility, which will be located on a gaming-entitled 40-acre site on the northeast corner of Interstate 215 and Aliante Parkway within the Aliante master-planned community. The agreement calls for 50/50 ownership of the project, with Station receiving a management fee.

"When we conceptualized and developed Aliante, we incorporated a hotel/casino as part of our overall master plan in order to provide the entertainment amenities that many residents are looking for," said Brian Greenspun, Chairman of the Board of The Greenspun Corporation. "We have a great relationship with the Fertittas and Station Casinos as a result of the success of Green Valley Ranch Resort and we are confident that they will develop and operate a high-quality project for our residents and the surrounding North Las Vegas community," Greenspun concluded.

"We are excited about the opportunity to develop and operate a hotel and casino in Aliante, the most successful master-planned community in North Las Vegas," said Lorenzo Fertitta, President of Station. "North Las Vegas is one of the fastest growing cities in the country and Aliante is the premiere location in North Las Vegas for a hotel and casino. We believe that market is ready for our product."

The master-planned community currently features a golf course, city parks and an extensive 24-mile trail system. Aliante is a partnership between American Nevada Corporation and Del Webb Communities.

According to City of North Las Vegas demographers, North Las Vegas' population is expected to continue to double every eight years with an average annual growth rate of 9.4%. This year, North Las Vegas' population exceeded 180,000 residents. The U.S. Census Bureau also named North Las Vegas the second fastest growing city in the country from 2000-2003 with a population increase of 25%.

Station will immediately begin designing the hotel and casino and anticipates breaking ground on the project by late 2006 or early 2007. "As the premiere provider of local's entertainment, we look forward to bringing hotel rooms, restaurants and entertainment such as gaming and movie theatres to an area we believe is hungry for these types of amenities," said Fertitta.

Subsidiaries of The Greenspun Corporation and Station are partners in Green Valley Ranch Resort and Casino, Barley's Casino & Brewing Company and The Greens Cafe, all of which are located in Henderson, Nevada.

Borgata Launches PowerPrize Jackpot and Players Card Bonus

2005-12-19T14:13:00.000-08:00

Borgata Launches PowerPrize Jackpot and Players Card Bonus
Borgata's Biggest Giveaway Ever Where Everyone Playing With a My Borgata Card Wins
ATLANTIC CITY, NJ Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa has unveiled its biggest giveaway ever, the PowerPrize Jackpot and Players Card Bonus, paying out $129,799 in cash to one lucky winner and $31,375 in slot dollars to 691 My Borgata customers in its debut weekend. The promotion guarantees to award My Borgata cardholders with $1 million in cash within the first 30 days.
"I was playing the nickel slots so I never would have imagined that I'd win the PowerPrize Jackpot," said My Borgata customer, Judi DeSilva of Springfield, PA. "It was so exciting when the jackpot hit! Borgata associates rushed to my side, brought me champagne, and arranged for me to stay in a suite with the most magnificent views."
As the inaugural PowerPrize Jackpot winner, Mrs. DeSilva received her jackpot win of $129,799 cash and 691 My Borgata cardholders won $31,375 in slot dollars.
The PowerPrize Jackpot starts at $100,000 and must pay-out before the jackpot reaches $150,000. Every time the jackpot hits, one lucky customer playing slots with their My Borgata card will be randomly selected to win the PowerPrize Jackpot. Everyone playing slots with their My Borgata card when the PowerPrize Jackpot hits wins the Players Card Bonus -- $25 or $50 in Bonus Slot Dollars.
Borgata associates are included in the excitement as well. Every time the PowerPrize Jackpot hits, one Borgata associate will be randomly selected to win an extra one percent of the total PowerPrize Jackpot amount, courtesy of Borgata. The most recent winner, a housekeeping shift manager and day-one Borgata associate, received $1,297 in cash.
"For over one million customers, Borgata has become their place to stay, play, and win," said Larry Mullin, Chief Operating Officer for Borgata. "With the addition of The PowerPrize Jackpot and Players Card Bonus, all customers with a My Borgata card are guaranteed winners. On behalf of Borgata, we are excited to offer our biggest promotion to date and continue to provide our customers the best rewards."
Images are available upon request.
For more information on The PowerPrize Jackpot and Players Card Bonus visit www.powerprizejackpot.com.
About Borgata
Borgata is a joint venture of Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) and MGM MIRAGE (NYSE: MGM). Located at Renaissance Pointe in Atlantic City, it features 2,000 guest rooms and suites, 125,000 square feet of gaming, 163 gaming tables, 3,600 slot machines, 11 destination restaurants, 11 retail boutiques, a 54,000 square foot spa, 70,000 square feet of event space, and parking for 7,100 cars.
For more information on Borgata, and/or to obtain a copy of this press release visit www.theborgata.com or use AOL keyword: borgata. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be found at www.boydgaming.com, additional information on MGM MIRAGE can be found at www.mgmmirage.com.

Trump's A.C. casinos to receive $110M. face lift

2005-12-15T12:32:00.000-08:00

Trump's A.C. casinos to receive $110M. face lift

ATLANTIC CITY-Last year, Donald Trump's casinos were out of luck and nearly out of money.

Chapter 11 followed, but instead of destroying the cash-poor company, the bankruptcy reorganization allowed Trump to shed hundreds of millions of dollars of debt and tap new funding for expansion and renovation projects.

In the first phase of its post-bankruptcy rebuilding plan, Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. announced Wednesday it will spend $110 million to give its three aging gambling halls a makeover.

"There won't be any product like it in Atlantic City. When we get done, it will be beautiful," Trump said in an interview from his New York office.

Trump, who is chairman of the company bearing his name, now has the money to back up his boasts. The bankruptcy reorganization cut $100 million from the company's annual debt payments and included a new $500 million line of credit. An extra $253 million will come from the recent sale of Trump's riverboat casino in Gary, Ind.

"The company is very strong financially," Trump said. "It came out of bankruptcy really well and really powerful. We have tremendous lines of credit and terrific cash flow."

The first phase of the renovation plan will include projects in 2006 and 2007. The company is still discussing the total cost of the rebuilding program, including the price tag for a new hotel tower scheduled to open in 2008 at Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort.

"We haven't really determined it. But the word is, whatever is necessary," Trump said of the construction costs.

Trump Entertainment already has refurbished many of the hotel rooms at the three casinos and will now give the public areas of the buildings a facelift - in the process, adding some of the excitement and pizzazz needed to attract fickle gamblers.

"The renovations include a variety of projects designed to enhance the inherent strengths of each of the three properties," said James B. Perry, Trump Entertainment's chief executive officer. "Our goal is to focus on what matters most to our customers, and to create unique and exciting venues designed to add value to their Trump Atlantic City experience."

Trump Entertainment must spruce up its casinos to keep pace with its competitors on the Boardwalk and in the Marina District. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has started construction on a $525 million expansion project and Harrah's Atlantic City has plans for a $550 million makeover.

At the flagship Taj Mahal, renovations will include transforming a corridor that leads from the parking garage into a promenade featuring new stores and restaurants. A new high-end Asian gaming area, noodle bar and casino lounge also are planned.

Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino's outdated Boardwalk entrance will be given a facelift, complemented by changes to the lobby area to make it more accessible. The New Yorker deli will be replaced by a new restaurant.

When combined with Trump Plaza's newly added Liquid Bar and EVO Restaurant, the first floor from the Boardwalk entrance to the hotel lobby will have a more exciting and contemporary look, Perry said.

Trump Marina Hotel Casino will undergo renovations to its meeting and convention space. A new restaurant also is planned.

To boost morale among its workforce, the company has budgeted money for new staff uniforms at all three casinos and improvements to the employee cafeterias.

In addition to the $110 million rebuilding plan for 2006 and 2007, Trump Entertainment already has spent $32 million for renovation projects this year. By the middle of 2006, the company will have completely updated the standard guest rooms at all three properties and refurbished the casino floor at Trump Plaza, Perry said.

The centerpiece of the renovation program is a previously announced 800-room hotel tower at the Taj Mahal. Construction is scheduled to start next June, with completion in 2008.

Trump said the cost of the tower is still being determined. Designs have not yet been unveiled, but Trump promised the project will add a stunning new dimension to the Taj Mahal's skyline.

"It's going to be a really beautiful tower," he said.

At the same time it is refurbishing the Atlantic City casinos, Trump Entertainment is scouting expansion opportunities in other gaming markets. The company recently announced it will seek a gaming license for a new slots parlor in Philadelphia when Pennsylvania introduces casino-style gambling in 2006 or 2007.

Trump Entertainment replaced the now-defunct Trump Hotels & Casino Resorts Inc. when the company emerged from Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May. Trump's casino empire was threatened by a crushing $1.8 billion debt when it filed for Chapter 11 in November 2004, but the company's fina399.7M. month for A.C. casinos
Tropicana, others manage to avoid holiday slowdown
By DONALD WITTKOWSKI Staff Writer, (609) 272-7258
Published: Saturday, December 10, 2005
Updated: Saturday, December 10, 2005

ATLANTIC CITY-This is usually the time of year when Black Friday is much more important than blackjack and the mall is much busier than the gambling hall.

But it seems that there was no holiday shopping-related slowdown this November for the casino industry. Gaming revenue climbed 6.6 percent to $399.7 million for a record-breaking month, according to figures released Friday by the state Casino Control Commission.

It was the first time in Atlantic City's 27-year history of gaming that November's casino "win" came so close to the $400 million mark, a figure normally associated with the busy summer tourism season.

"That's pretty positive," said gaming analyst Brian McGill of Susquehanna Financial Group.

Slot revenue was up 5.7 percent to nearly $290 million and table winnings jumped 9 percent to $109.7 million. Eight of the 12 casinos posted gains for the month and five standouts had double-digit increases.

Atlantic City's tourism usually drops off dramatically after the summer season, with the weeks between Thanksgiving and Christmas among the weakest for casinos.

Casinos begin to lose business to the malls after Black Friday, the traditional start of the holiday shopping season. However, one casino has transformed itself into a more mall-like holiday setting and the results have been extraordinary.

Gaming revenue at Tropicana Casino and Resort surged nearly 25 percent in November thanks to the spillover effects from The Quarter, the sprawling retail and entertainment complex that opened in late 2004.

It seems that when customers weren't shopping or eating at The Quarter, they were spending their money on Tropicana's gaming floor. Tropicana's slot win soared 31.5 percent and table-game revenue increased nearly 12 percent in November.

Embracing the holidays like no other casino has done before, Tropicana has turned The Quarter into a winter wonderland complete with towering Christmas trees, lavish decorations and festive music. It kicked off the holiday season on Nov. 2 with a tree-lighting ceremony that drew hundreds of onlookers.

"We took advantage of our unique position in the marketplace as Atlantic City's only enclosed dining, entertainment and retail destination," Tropicana spokeswoman Maureen Siman said in a statement. "By launching our First Annual Holiday Spectacular on Nov. 2, we took advantage of and jump-started the retail season."

McGill said other casinos will most likely use Tropicana's mix of nongaming and casino attractions as a model for their expansion projects. He said November's results underscored the importance of giving customers more to do than just gamble.

"I think one glaring number that jumps off the page is Tropicana," he said. "It still shows that more nongaming amenities are certainly better than not. I think that's what is going to drive performance going forward."

Meanwhile, other casinos that posted double-digit gains in November were Caesars Atlantic City, Harrah's Atlantic City, Resorts Atlantic City and Showboat Casino Hotel.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa was No. 1 overall in November revenue - at $55.3 million - but the Las Vegas-style megaresort fell well short of the double-digit increase that it usually racks up each month.

Overall, Borgata's revenue was up 3.5 percent on the strength of a 12.3 percent gain in table winnings. Slot revenue, though, slumped 1.5 percent.

McGill said Borgata is "capacity constrained" and that revenue growth will depend on completion of its $525 million expansion project. The first phase will add new gaming space, restaurants and retail when it opens next spring. An 800-room hotel tower is planned for late 2007.

"I think with Borgata, until they get the expansion opened next year, we're not going to see the double-digit increases we've come to know," McGill said.

ncial turnaround included a profitable third quarter this year.

ATLANTIC CITY LOCAL HISTORY

2005-12-14T13:17:00.000-08:00

ATLANTIC CITY LOCAL HISTORY
ATLANTIC CITY Pictures

The original inhabitants of Absecon Island were the Lenni-Lenape Indians who traveled over the Old Indian Trail from the Mainland to spend the summer months on the island. Thomas Budd was the first recorded owner of Absecon Island who arrived in Atlantic County in the late 1670’s. Back then a piece of beachfront property was valued at a mere $0.04 an acre, and today is worth millions of dollars per acre.

Jeremiah Leeds was the first white man to build a permanent structure on the island in 1785, and was the first official residents of Atlantic City. There home was called Leeds Plantation. Jeremiah Leeds’ second wife Millicent got a license to operate a tavern after Jeremiah’s death in 1838. This was the first business in Atlantic City.

Dr Jonathan Pitney, a prominent physician felt that the island had much to offer, and had ideas of making the island a health resort. But first the access to the island had to be improved, so with the help of civil engineer, Richard Osborne, the Camden-Atlantic City Railroad was built. Construction began in 1852 and the first train arrived on 5 July 1854 after a 2-½ hour trip. Richard Osborne named the city, while Dr Pitney planned the placement of the city streets and named them. Streets running parallel to the ocean would be named after the great bodies of water of the world, while streets, which ran east/west would be named after the States.

Current Las Vegas Shows and Attractions

2005-12-13T13:21:00.000-08:00

December 2005
12/12 - 1/2 Holiday Season
12/12 - 12/13 Howie Mandel
12/12 - 12/13 Avenue Q
12/12 - 12/15 Wayne Newton Holiday Production
12/18 - 12/31 Dame Edna: A Dame in the Desert
12/21 - 12/31 David Copperfield
12/24 - 12/27 Le Rêve
12/29 - 12/31 The Four Tops, Shirley Alston Reeves
12/30 Paul Van Dyk
12/30 - 12/31 The Dan Band
12/30 - 1/1 New Year's Eve
12/30 - 1/1 Friday Night Celine Dion Show & Dinner Special
12/31 Tiesto
January 2006
1/6 - 1/7 Jay Leno
1/20 - 1/21 Ray Romano
Tournament of Kings
Feast to the games of medieval times
book now
Featured Show:
Tony 'N' Tina's Wedding
Hilarious dysfunctional wedding
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* Avenue Q
* Blue Man Group
* Buck Wild
* Folies Bergere
* Hairspray (Opens Feb. 6)
* Haunted Vegas Tour and Show
* HavanaNightShow
* KÀ Cirque du Soleil
* La Cage
* Le Rêve

* Mamma Mia!
* Mystère
* Tony 'n' Tina's Wedding
* Tournament of Kings
* V--The Ultimate Variety Show
* Zumanity
* view all >

Magic Shows
Featured Show:
Lance Burton
See Vegas' master magician
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* Amazing Johnathan
* Lance Burton
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* Mac King Comedy Magic Show
* Penn & Teller
* Magic of Rick Thomas

* World's Greatest Magic Show
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Adult Shows
Featured Show:
Folies Bergere
A feast for the senses
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* American Storm
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* Men the Show
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Headliner Shows
Featured Show:
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A concert of music, comedy and impressions
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* Gordie Brown
* Carrot Top
* Celine Dion A New Day
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* Elton John: The Red Piano
* Larry G. Jones: A Man of 1,002 Voices

* Barry Manilow: Music and Passion
* Platters, Cornell Gunter's Coasters, Beary Hobb's Drifters
* Wayne Newton's Holiday Production
* view the next week
* view the next year

Comedy Shows
Featured Show:
George Wallace
Delivering comedy from everyday life
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* Amazing Johnathan
* David Brenner
* Carrot Top
* Comedy Stop
* George Wallace
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* Riviera Comedy Club
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Tribute to Frank, Sammy, Joey and Dean
Rat Pack returns from the heavens
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See the Outrageous Comedy Hypnotist
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The art of dreaming
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* Mac King Comedy Magic Show
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* Musical Tribute to
Liberace

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Lady Luck Las Vegas Casino to Terminate Employees

2005-12-12T14:07:00.000-08:00

Las Vegas Casino to Terminate Employees

Thousands of locals could be out of a job early next year amid word that a downtown casino is closing for renovations.
A packet of information is what many Lady Luck Casino employees received Sunday night when they came to work. It includes a letter saying they'll be out of a job by Feb. 11. The letter says a substantial portion of the Lady Luck will close between Feb. 11 and Feb. 25 for remodeling and management anticipates this substantial closure for 12 months.
"We regret to inform you that your employment at the Lady Luck Casino and Hotel will be permanently terminated during this 14-day window."
Employees tell Eyewitness News they believe this means that after the 14-day window, they are not guaranteed their jobs back.
The partial closure will affect the hotel and casino owned by Las Vegas based Henry Brent Co. About 2,000 employees work at Lady Luck.
The company purchased the property earlier this year with plans to remodel and expand it. The new information says the property is partially closing because as the construction plan was developed it became more apparent it would be nearly impossible to provide guests with a quality experience or to attract the number of guests needed to maintain staff throughout the renovation.
The casino owners also own a series of restaurants and nightlife venues across the street. They plan to keep those open during the renovation.
Employees say there are meetings throughout Monday to inform all employees of the situation. The information packet does say management will be coordinating job fairs with local employers to help employees find new jobs.

Limerick slots people reaction

2005-12-11T15:31:00.000-08:00

An Atlantic City casino owner hopes to bring slot machines to Limerick, Montgomery County.

The idea is the talk of the township.

WFMZ'S Jaccii Farris has the story.

REPORTER:

Limerick Pennsylvania...population 14 thousand.

On the horizon one can't help but notice the Exelon Nuclear Power Plant.

But if Atlantic City Borgata Casino owner William Boyd has his way, a stand alone slot parlor will soon emerge from the shadow of the cooling stacks.

WALTER ZAREMBA:

157 "If they are talking about a thousand slot machines..that's assuming a lot of people so that's going to be some traffic changes that's going to required in that particular area."

REPORTER:

Limerick manager Walter Zaremba says nothing official has been presented to the township.

The unofficial plan would put the casino next to a proposed high end outlet mall near route 422.

Zaremba says while he's confidant the outlet mall will be good for the local economy.
There are too many questions regarding the slot parlor.

WALTER ZAREMBA:

409 "Is he going to get a license, how big is the place going to be will this site handle this facility will it allow the people to come and go."

Businesses along Ridge Pike...Limerick's main drag, are split over the idea.

LORI FREESE:

1523 If it's going to mean a lot more traffic I don't think this town can afford much more traffic than what we already have."
REPORTER:

Bright Beginnings Child Care Center employees

Say they're also worried about crime.

(NAT OF DOOR OPENING)

But next door at flowers by the bunch...owner
Michael Mazzlerle says the casino will be a winfall of jobs and local business.
MICHAEL MAZZERLE

1727 "Casino's need flowers just like houses yea I think it's a very good thing."
REPORTER:

The Developer is expected to hold public hearings and could be required to get a zoning change from the township should the proposal move forward.

In Limerick, Montgomery County, Jaccii Farris 69 News.

Limerick slots site proposal expected

2005-12-11T06:16:00.000-08:00

Limerick slots site proposal expected

Boyd Gaming is to announce plans to seek a parlor license. It would spend $300 million to augment Borgata revenue.

Boyd Gaming Corp., joining the heated competition for new slots licenses in Pennsylvania, wants to build a $300 million slots parlor in Limerick Township, Montgomery County.

The casino company, which is a co-owner of the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City, is expected to announce as soon as today its proposal to build on a 125-acre parcel in the township, which is best known as the site of Peco Energy Co.'s Limerick nuclear power plant.

The proposed casino would be along Route 422 at the Sanatoga exit, next to the soon-to-be-built Philadelphia Premium Outlets Mall.

Before it can build its casino, Boyd must secure one of 14 gambling licenses to be issued by the state Gaming Control Board. Boyd is vying for one of two highly coveted licenses for a stand-alone slots parlors in undetermined locations.

"They must first answer the question, 'Will they get a license?' " said Harry Curtis, gambling analyst with JPMorgan Chase & Co. "They will have to convince the regulatory board that this is an appropriate location for the state.

"The state will attempt to maximize tax revenue, so it will want to put licenses in the most productive locations," he said. "We don't know where those are yet."

Under the state's gambling law, Philadelphia will have two slots locations; and Pittsburgh, one. The board will issue two other licenses for resorts, while seven licenses are designated for racetracks.

The deadline to apply for a license is Dec. 28, with the board scheduled to award all 14 licenses by late next year. The process has been mired in delays over a key question: whether to divide the state into regions for slot suppliers.

Last week, a proposal was put forward to allow the licensing-application process to continue while the Gaming Board resolved the supplier issue.

Board spokesman Nick Hays said summer 2006 was now the earliest date for the State Gaming Board to begin issuing conditional licenses for racetrack casinos.

Boyd owns 19 casino properties in six states, including New Jersey and Nevada. By establishing a presence in Montgomery County, industry analysts say, Boyd creates a feeder market for the Borgata in Atlantic City - Boyd's largest and most expensive casino property.

"Initially, we feel that the tracks and parlors in Pennsylvania will have a negative impact on results in Atlantic City," Curtis said. "But when you net that out against the cash flow that they will get from Pennsylvania, Boyd should be significantly ahead."

Atlantic City attracts about 23 percent of its customers from Philadelphia and its surrounding suburbs, and about 45 percent from New York, according to the Atlantic City Convention and Visitors Authority.

Curtis said that by selecting a suburban site, Boyd is following the steps of Harrah's Entertainment Inc., which is converting a harness track in Chester, Delaware County, into a slots parlor. Harrah's owns four casinos in Atlantic City.

"If the Montgomery County site is one of the selected locations, then it will enjoy a regional oligopoly and a local monopoly," Curtis said. "So the returns for Boyd ought to be strong."

Other major gambling companies with a presence in Atlantic City, including Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc. and Aztar Corp., are positioning themselves to take advantage of similar opportunities.

Trump Entertainment has leased land in the city's Nicetown section to build a potential slots parlor. Phoenix-based Aztar introduced plans last month for a $325 million casino in Allentown similar to its Tropicana casino in Atlantic City.

Boyd spokesman Rob Stillwell described Montgomery County as "an underserved market," and he said the new casino would be intended to serve the Philadelphia region's highly populated northern and western suburbs. He said the facility would open with 3,000 slot machines, with the possibility of adding 2,000. It would include restaurants, lounges and other amenities.

Boyd Gaming was started in Las Vegas in 1974 by Sam Boyd and his son, Bill. For many years, it was known primarily as a midsize operator. In 2003, with its partner, MGM Mirage, it opened the $1.1 billion Borgata in Atlantic City. The move catapulted the company to gambling's Big Leagues.

Many credit the Borgata, Atlantic City's top-grossing casino, as the catalyst in the resort's transformation from a largely day-tripper market to an overnight destination.

Since the casino's debut 21/2 years ago, Atlantic City has attracted a younger, more affluent crowd. Its success has spurred other operators, including Harrah's Entertainment and Aztar to upgrade their properties.

Over the last two years, Atlantic City has been building up its nongambling attractions.

Boyd's July 2004 acquisition of Coast Casinos Inc. gave it a larger presence in the local market in Las Vegas. That, along with the May 2004 acquisition of Sam's Town Shreveport contributed to a 39 percent increase in Boyd's revenue in the first nine months of this year, to $1.7 billion. Net income for the first nine months of 2005 was $122 million, or $1.35 a share.

Boyd Gaming is a name that has long circulated in Harrisburg as a potential license applicant. Bill Boyd, the company's chairman and chief executive officer, contributed $50,000 in June to the Democratic Governor's Association after Gov. Rendell made a pitch for the organization during a spring fund-raiser.

Stillwell, the company spokesman, said the contribution had nothing to do with applying for a slots license in the state.

He said the company had been interested in Pennsylvania for years. "We generally give to both sides of the aisle," he said.

Boyd Gaming to Seek Pennsylvania Gaming License

2005-12-10T14:33:00.000-08:00

Boyd Gaming to Seek Pennsylvania Gaming License

Boyd Gaming Corporation
(NYSE: BYD) today announced that the Company has acquired property and intends
to apply for a gaming license in Pennsylvania. The 125-acre site, part of a
260-acre planned retail and commercial development located in Limerick
Township about a 20 minute drive from the extensive retail and highway hub in
King of Prussia, is intended to serve the highly populated northern and
western suburbs of the Philadelphia metropolitan area.
(Logo: www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/p...9/BOYDLOGO )
William S. Boyd, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Boyd Gaming,
commented, "With most of the known gaming sites in the Philadelphia area
located in the eastern and southern sections, we believe we have identified an
excellent location to conveniently serve a large and growing population with a
first-rate gaming and entertainment facility. In addition, our location will
be very convenient to the cities of both Reading and nearby Pottstown."
The Company is planning to develop the project in connection with
prominent Pennsylvania business and professional leaders. The group of
limited partners includes Pat Rooney, Jr., Thomas Brogan, David Sweet and
Sylvan Lutkewitte. Bill Boyd remarked, "We are pleased to be joined in our
application for this project by such an outstanding group of Pennsylvanians."
If selected, the Company plans to invest approximately $325 million in the
development of the first of four planned phases of a first-class casino
entertainment facility. The first phase of the project will be designed for
3,000 slot machines, four restaurants, three bars and lounges, a 2,000-space
parking garage and other amenities.
The site is located on Route 422 at the Sanatoga exit, adjacent to
Philadelphia Premium Outlets, a planned 120-store upscale outlet center on
approximately 78 acres of the 260-acre site to be built by Roseland, New
Jersey-based Chelsea Property Group, a division of Simon Property Group
(NYSE: SPG). The outlet center is slated to open in 2007. Bill Boyd stated,
"We look forward to working with Chelsea to create a successful shopping and
entertainment complex for the large population in the Philadelphia suburbs and
southestern Pennsylvania."
Boyd Gaming, which will own a substantial majority of and control the
project, and its partners are planning to file applications with the
Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board later this month.

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning
of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of
the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Such statements include
information regarding the Company's expectations, goals or intentions
regarding the future, including but not limited to statements regarding, the
Company's intent to apply for a Pennsylvania gaming license, the timing for
filing such application, statements regarding the location of the property and
the benefits of such location (including the region that the new property is
intended to serve), statements regarding the anticipated development of a
first-class casino entertainment facility on the property (as well as
subsequent development phases), the amount of the Company's anticipated
investment in the first phase of the development project, the type and amount
of amenities to be included at the new casino and statements (including the
anticipated number of stores and estimated opening date) regarding the
Philadelphia Premium Outlets to be located adjacent to the location of the
property. Forward-looking statements involve certain risks and uncertainties,
and actual results may differ materially from those discussed in any such
statement. In particular, the Company can provide no assurances that it will
be granted a gaming license in Pennsylvania, that the Company will be able to
develop the property as currently anticipated, or at all, that any development
on the property will benefit from the property's location, that the amount of
the Company's anticipated investment in the first phase of the new development
project will approximate current expectations, that the Company's new
development project will include the anticipated amenities or achieve market
acceptance, that the Company will be able to development subsequent phases of
the project and that the adjacent premium outlet stores will be completed, and
if completed, will provide any benefits to the new development project. Among
the factors that could cause actual results to differ materially are the
following: the failure to obtain a gaming license or other necessary
regulatory approvals in Pennsylvania, competition, increased costs (including
marketing costs) financial community and rating agency perceptions of the
Company, changes in laws and regulations, including increased taxes, the
availability and price of energy, weather, regulation, economic, credit and
capital market conditions and the effects of war, terrorist or similar
activity. In addition, the new development project is subject to those risks
inherent in the development and operation of a new business enterprise,
including unanticipated design, construction, regulatory, environmental and
operating problems and lack of demand for the project. If the new development
project becomes operational, it will face many of the same risks that the
Company's current properties face. The cost of any project, including the new
development project, may vary significantly from the Company's expectations,
and the Company may have a limited amount of capital resources to fund cost
overruns on any project. If the Company cannot finance cost overruns on a
timely basis, the completion of one or more projects, including the new
development project, may be delayed until adequate funding is available.
Additional factors that could cause actual results to differ are discussed
under the heading "Investment Considerations" and in other sections of the
Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2004 on file with
the Securities and Exchange Commission, and in its other current and periodic
reports filed with, or furnished to, the Commission from time to time. All
forward-looking statements in this document are made as of the date hereof,
based on information available to the Company as of the date hereof, and the
Company assumes no obligation to update any forward-looking statement.

Headquartered in Las Vegas, Boyd Gaming Corporation (NYSE: BYD) is a
leading diversified owner and operator of 18 gaming entertainment properties,
plus one under development, located in Nevada, New Jersey, Mississippi,
Illinois, Indiana and Louisiana. Boyd Gaming press releases are available at
www.prnewswire.com. Additional news and information on Boyd Gaming can be
found at www.boydgaming.com .

Atlantic City bets on the young

2005-12-10T06:28:00.000-08:00

Atlantic City bets on the young

ATLANTIC CITY -- Robert Chew and his fiancee passed by the old-timers playing slots at the Showboat Casino, a favorite hangout for the gray-hair set. The couple -- he was sporting Gucci loafers, she was in Seven jeans and a sequined tank-top -- didn't even pause at the blackjack tables as they sauntered upstairs to the grand opening of the House of Blues, where a crowd of eager young fans waited to see the rapper Eminem.
''People used to laugh at me for coming to Atlantic City. They'd say 'Why do you want to go there? It's all old people,' " said Chew, sipping a glass of vodka and tonic. ''But no one is laughing now. Everyone wants to come here. This is like Vegas, baby!"
Once defined by the busloads of seniors headed for the nickel slot machines, Atlantic City is now drawing younger visitors looking to do something more than roll the dice. The transformation from a tired resort town to a sexy Vegas-style playground for younger patrons like Chew, 30, and his fiancee, Amy Nessler, 28, is picking up pace this summer as several flashy new clubs and restaurants make their debuts.
Not everyone is pleased about the newcomers along the boardwalk. Pam Voloski, a 71-year-old regular at the Showboat, came to see what all the commotion was about at the House of Blues, where Eminem was stirring the crowd to a frenzy.
''I don't like the kids being here," she said, leaning on her cane. ''I come here to get away from them."
Inside the club, Robin Leach, host of the popular 1980s show, ''The Lifestyles of the Rich and Famous", was enjoying the company of the young and the beautiful in the VIP room, where he was surrounded by five young women.
''This is Vegas -- ritz and glitz at its best," said Leach as he headed to the bar for more champagne.
Over the past two years, Atlantic City's casinos have spent $1.85 billion constructing dining, entertainment, and retail venues, according to the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, taking a page from Las Vegas, where nongaming ventures bring in about $4 billion annually.
This summer, more than a half dozen clubs are being constructed or opening, like the Showboat's House of Blues and The Resort's Nikki Beach, fueling a furious race for the freshest pop acts. Instead of Steve and Eydie or Tom Jones, stars like Alicia Keyes, Lenny Kravitz, and Counting Crows are featured on the boardwalk's billboards this summer.
''You used to have all lounge acts or has-beens, but now you have the main acts coming," said Donna Capito, 39, who was dancing and sipping wine with friends during the Eminem concert. ''It's really better than Vegas. We got the boardwalk and the beach. You feel like you are on vacation rather than being in the desert."Continued...
The $65 million House of Blues is the largest in the national nightclub chain and the newest club on Atlantic City's boardwalk. All of the 12 casinos in Atlantic City from Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort to Caesars Atlantic City have expanded or are renovating their casinos to add clubs, hotel rooms, and upscale restaurants that will appeal to a younger crowd, according to Joe Kelly, president of the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce.
Last winter, Tropicana opened The Quarter, a $275 million, three-story complex with nightclubs, stores, and 40 restaurants. Caesars is building $175 million dining, entertainment, and retail complex scheduled to open next year.
Next month, rapper Jay-Z is scheduled to open his 40/40 sports bar and lounge along an entertainment district in Atlantic City. High-end stores such as Gucci and Louis Vuitton have also found a home in Atlantic City.
''I think the marketplace has recognized diversifying a product is a very good thing, meaning dining, entertainment, and retail have been recognized as products that really have a place here in Atlantic City," Kelly said.
Chew and Nessler said they come every weekend to party at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, the two-year-old complex that has been credited as the first to attract younger patrons. After the 43-story Borgata began breaking revenue records, other casinos followed suit, said Dan Heneghan, spokesman for the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
About 25 percent of Borgata's revenues, or $100 million, comes from nongaming sources, according to company officials. Overall, only 10 percent of the revenues from all Atlantic City's casinos are from nongaming venues.
Larry Mullin, Borgata' s chief operating officer, said the company noticed an untapped market of potential customers from ages 25 to 39, who were going to Las Vegas instead of Atlantic City.
''There just wasn't a product out there that satisfied what they were looking for," he said.
Since coming on the scene in 2003, Borgata, which cost $1.1 billion and is expanding, has set new rules for the boardwalk. While Borgata contends its customers are of every age, tour buses that have brought the seniors into town for decades are not welcomed at Borgata. Instead of offering the free dinners that always drew senior citizens, Borgata offers expensive spa treatments, fancy menus at chic restaurants, and outlets for dancing.
In keeping with its new image, Atlantic City has changed its staid slogan from ''America's playground" to the spicier ''Always turned on." Billboards dotting the highway leading to the seaside resort feature scantily clad women.
''They do some wild dancing in there. I am from the old school," said Alonzo Clark, 75, who was relaxing on the boardwalk outside of the Tropicana where his wife was playing the slots. ''These kids drink and the next day they don't even remember they had a wild time the night before."
Guido Bonvicini, 75, who was sitting nearby, said he enjoys the energy the younger people bring to the resort.
''Actually, I like watching the young girls go by," he said, with a wink.

New VP game ACE INVADERS PLAY ONLINE

2005-12-09T14:19:00.000-08:00

http://www.ledgaming.com/LED_Home/html/index.shtml

Latest AC Construction News - Borgata, Sands, Harrahs

2005-12-09T05:20:00.000-08:00

Latest AC Construction News - Borgata, Sands, Harrahs PINKY'S CORNER

TOM CARVER, THE FORMER head of the Atlantic City Casino Association, has been brought back to Atlantic City by Acting Governor Richard Codey. Carver will serve as the new executive director of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. He replaces Curtis Bashaw, who said it was time to return to his roots in Cape May.
Bashaw did an admirable job during his tenure and was instrumental in bringing all of the Jersey Shore resorts together to enhance the development of the finest resort communities on the eastern seaboard. He set the path for the state's tourism department to promote and advertise the Jersey Shore as a package rather than individual communities. Bashaw's biggest achievement has been the program to revitalize the Atlantic City Boardwalk. His concept is to restore the historic architecture of storefronts and bring new electronic signs to put some pizzazz along the wooden way and enhance its attractions. This is a program that must be carried out.

Carver is a man who knows Atlantic City and the casino industry as well as everyone in this community. Tom was here in the industry's teething days. He helped to write the legislation that created the CRDA. He knows the players and the political atmosphere and is respected by the local elected officials. Carver is a nuts and bolts man who knows how to get things done. In his new position, Carver will take a hands-on approach to the CRDA's activities. He has let it be known that his operation will be transparent. He also stated that there is not enough money to be able to do all the things that people want the CRDA to do, as the largest portion of their funds are tied up in programs that already have been approved and are underway.

Tom Carver is an honest, straightforward individual who will use his tenure in this position to improve Atlantic City, southern New Jersey and the entire state. Tom, this columnist is delighted to welcome you back to Atlantic City.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Atlantic City Update

Under construction at this time is the new retail, entertainment, restaurant and casino addition to the Borgata Casino Hotel and Spa. The addition is expected to be completed and open for business in the spring of 2006. Borgata's new 800-room/suite hotel tower will begin construction in the summer. It has just over a two-year build-out remaining and should be completed in 2008.

Harrah's Entertainment presented their Atlantic City development program to the Casino Control Commission and the CRDA a few weeks ago. Harrah's Entertainment will spend $500 million to build a 1,000-room hotel tower and a retail, entertainment and restaurant complex at Harrah's Atlantic City. Company officials claim it will be second-to-none in the city. It is expected that construction will begin in mid-2006 and be completed in late 2008 or early 2009. Harrah's Entertainment also said the company will build a 1,000-room tower on a site at Caesars and refurbish that property's rooms and suites. There will also be changes in the restaurant line-up and retail units there.

The latest report on the Pier at Caesars is that tenants will be able to begin setting up their shops in late January or February and that it is expected to open its doors by summer. Those who have walked through the facility, which is situated over the Atlantic Ocean, say that it will be a must-visit site. It will draw shoppers from major metropolitan communities to shop, eat and play there. There are those who claim there is nothing like this pier facility anywhere else in the United States. Sheldon Gordon, the principal in the Gordon Group (developers of the Forum Shops in Las Vegas), selected the only site over the Atlantic Ocean that combines a ship-like atmosphere for the finest quality shops, restaurant and entertainment venues.

Noted here last week was the anticipated new casino complex for the Sands. Carl Icahn will begin constructing sometime in 2006, with completion in 2009. One more new casino that I believe will begin development sometime in 2006 will be a new MGM Mirage property on their 70-acre Renaissance Pointe site. The company has made no statements to confirm this yet, but there is enough undercurrent to lead one to believe that it is going to happen.

The construction industry is going to be quite busy in Atlantic City over the next three years. All of this development will bring another 6,000 to 7,000 rooms to Atlantic City for a total of over 20,000 rooms by 2009. This does not include additions to the Atlantic City Hilton, which are expected to be announced within the next year.

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Time for Ideas

Before CE — the casino era — ideas were requested with regards to drawing visitors to Atlantic City during the winter season. One suggestion was to build a ski slope on the beach with man-made snow. What could be better than skiing alongside the ocean? Unfortunately, no one had the resources to build it so another good idea was laid to rest.

A few years ago, a summer visitor informed me that indoor ski slopes were built in Korea and that they were quite successful. All that was needed was a site large enough to handle such a facility, such as Bader Field.

Interest in this project was lost when there was no site available to accommodate the project. Last week, I learned that an indoor ski slope was just built in Dubai. It brought this idea back to me, especially in light of City Council's efforts to find new uses for Bader Field (the city's obligation to maintain the airport there is up in September 2006). With it came another idea and this one was to build a year round indoor water park with wave action. Can you just imagine indoor ski slopes next to an indoor water park on the Bader Field site? There would also be enough room for the high-rise, multi-tenant StudioCentre that was bidding to get a site on the Uptown Urban Renewal Tract.

Atlantic City needs attractions that will give our visitors exciting activities while they are here. This is idea time. If you have any concepts for that site, drop me a line or send me an e-mail and it will be put it in the hands of City Council.

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Support Our Troops

The third annual operation "Support Our Troops" is underway at McNaughton's Garden Center on Route 9 in Somers Point. Regardless of your political view regarding the war on terror, this is your opportunity to show our fellow Americans in uniform that we care about them. You are invited to bring personal hygiene items (hand wipes, lip balm, Q-tips, tampons), fun stuff (Nerf footballs, disposable cameras, playing cards) and munchies. It is very important that items be of individual sizes, as anything too big will not be sent overseas. The deadline for donations is Dec. 15. This may seem like a little to you, but to those overseas it is meaningful. Last year's collection topped 12 tons.

Absecon Lighthouse Lucy The Elephant

2005-12-08T13:45:00.000-08:00

Absecon Lighthouse
Rhode Island Ave, at Pacific Ave, Atlantic City, NJ 08402
Telphone: 609-449-1360
Description: This 171-foot-tall lighthouse is New Jersey's tallest, and it still uses its original First-Order Fresnel lens. The view from the top is so spectacular, you'll forget about the 228 steps it took to get there.
Lucy The Elephant
9200 Atlantic Ave, Margate, NJ 08402
Telphone: 609-823-6473
Description: This huge ninety-ton National Historic Landmark was built in the early 1880's in hopes of attracting buyers to real estate mogul James Lafferty's choice beach property. Woodrow Wilson and Henry Ford were among the many visitors who came to see this remarkable elephant, and Lucy still draws 'em in today. Tour the interior and enjoy the view from atop her back. Disrepair forced her into retirement during the early 1960s, but she's back on the job thanks to ongoing renovations that began during the 1970s.

ATLANTIC CITY Culture and History

2005-12-07T13:51:00.000-08:00

ATLANTIC CITY
Culture and History
Founded in 1793, the site of Atlantic City was the first town settled on Absecon Island. Fifty years later, Dr Jonathan Pitney led a group of businessmen in a venture to develop a bathing village and health resort on the island. The deal was sealed with a charter to operate a railroad from the boomtown of Camden, and by 1854 engineer Richard Osborne had designed and named Atlantic City.

Thousands of city dwellers from surrounding states took advantage of the inexpensive rail transport and flocked to the new town. City dwellers came to escape the summer heat and enjoy the seaside. With this influx of tourists, the city changed by developing amusement areas to maintain the interest of passing visitors. The world's first boardwalk was built in Atlantic City, and before too long amusement parks and nightclubs grew up along the stretches of wooden planks.

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Careerbuilder

In the 1920s the resorts were the playground of the rich and famous; it became a pre-Broadway stop on the theatre route.

The city's popularity was confirmed by the first Miss America Pageant, staged here in 1921 and cunningly held in September to extend the tourist season beyond the Labor Day weekend. By the 1930s, the population totalled 66,000, and local nightclubs attracted the nation's top talents - Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman to name a few - to the Steel Pier, which was dubbed 'the showplace of a nation'.

The rise of jet travel to vacation spots in Florida, the Caribbean and Europe led to the city's decline after WWII. Until the 1970s the city faced severe economic hardship, with a drop in tourism translating into rampant unemployment, drug abuse and crime. The 1964 Democratic Convention highlighted the city's woes; there was such a shortage of support services for delegates that it was clear the city could no longer accommodate an event of this magnitude.

In a hard-fought campaign, state voters were convinced that by allowing casino gambling the city could be revitalised. In 1978 the Resorts International casino opened its doors, attracting long lines at its blackjack tables and slot machines. By the 1980s, gambling was an around-the-clock business and the rail line with Philadelphia was resumed.

Today the city still has social problems and even more difficulty marketing itself as a family destination. While the casino industry has created 45,000 jobs and experienced record profits, little of this money has benefited the town, despite the many promises of prosperity made some 20 years ago. Local officials are lobbying for more attractions unrelated to gambling and the New Jersey legislature has redrafted casino law in order to force casinos to re-invest portions of their profits back into the city. Much like Las Vegas, Atlantic City is targeting a younger crowd with amusements, rides and outrageous architecture in its new developments.

Trump, Croce allied on slots for PA.

2005-12-06T13:54:00.000-08:00

Donald J. Trump and Pat Croce both write books, love being in front of a TV camera, and have turned multitasking into an art form.
Now, they might run a casino together.
Yesterday, Trump announced that he had entered into a partnership with a group of local investors, led by former Philadelphia 76ers president Croce, to apply for a slots license in the city.
Trump Entertainment Resorts Inc., the casino company that operates Trump's three casino-hotels in Atlantic City, said it had enlisted Croce to invest in and support the building of a casino at the former Budd Co. factory site in the city's Nicetown section.
"I'm psyched to work with the Donald and his new executive team," the always upbeat Croce said yesterday. "It will be great to have the Donald in our town."
Trump, who names towers, universities, and just about everything else after himself, returned the admiration. He referred to Croce as "a good friend for many years."
"He's a great guy with great vision," Trump said yesterday. "He's very capable. He's a smart, tough guy, but everybody loves him.
"I think this combination is going to be unbeatable," said Trump, who plans to meet with Mayor Street today to discuss his casino proposal.
Under the partnership, Croce said he and "a handful" of local investors would be minority shareholders, with Trump being the operator, developer and majority shareholder.
Croce, who has written self-help books and can command top dollar as a motivational speaker, said the local investors he had assembled included restaurateur Pete Ciarrocchi, who owns the Chickie's & Pete's restaurant chain in Philadelphia, and three members of the musical group Boyz II Men.
"They are committed to our community, and they have been successful," Croce said. "Those were my two criteria."
Trump Entertainment emerged from bankruptcy in May and has made upgrading the Trump Taj Mahal, Trump Plaza and Trump Marina casinos in Atlantic City a priority amid fierce competition. Rivals, including the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa and the Tropicana, have made significant inroads in Trump's market share there.
Trump Entertainment executives, including new president and chief executive officer James B. Perry, have been saying for months that the company wanted to enter into a partnership to operate a slots parlor in Philadelphia.
"It won't be an exclusively Trump-owned facility," Perry said in a recent interview. "We have limited capability to invest ourselves, but we do have the ability to bring in partners to invest with us."
Under the state's gambling law, the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board will begin awarding conditional licenses for some of the 14 venues in the spring. Philadelphia will get two slots parlors, and Pittsburgh one. Two other stand-alone slots parlors and two resorts will also get licenses, with the remaining seven licenses designated for racetracks.
So far, only Trump's company and Planet Hollywood have publicly stated that they plan to apply for one of the two licenses that are set aside for Philadelphia. The deadline to apply for a license is Dec. 28.
On Oct. 3, Trump Entertainment announced it had signed a five-year option to lease or buy land to develop into a casino at the former Budd site.
The company has not disclosed what its plans are for the Philadelphia slots parlor, but Perry said the Nicetown facility would offer more than just slot machines. Pennsylvania's gambling law does not permit table games, such as poker or blackjack. But Trump is likely to propose building an entertainment hall, shops, restaurants, and maybe a hotel on the Budd site.
The law allows each site up to 3,000 slot machines, with the ability to apply for an additional 2,000 slot machines.
For Croce, the new partnership comes after he spent more than a year rounding up investors and a casino operator to pursue a slots parlor. He said the Trump organization approached him in August about joining forces.
Croce had previously expressed interest in developing a casino at the former Adam's Mark Hotel on City Avenue, but said intense community opposition forced him to walk away from it. That site is controlled by discount retailer Target Corp., which plans to build a store there.
"They wanted a Target, not a casino," he said.
Some say the Trump-Croce pairing may help Trump's chances of landing one of the coveted city licenses and win over some who may be either sitting on the fence or opposed to the project.
"Any reason to bring in some local people with a pretty good reputation enhances the possibility," said gambling analyst Brian McGill of Susquehanna Financial Group. "It gives them a local connection."
Croce boasted of his hometown roots yesterday and what he envisioned for a casino.
"I was born and bred here," he said. "We have the pro teams that are an asset to the city, and we have the museums.
"Why not do the same thing with casinos, and build something that's new and special?"

Atlantic City Aquarium

2005-12-05T14:47:00.000-08:00

Welcome to the Atlantic City Aquarium

Located in Atlantic City’s Historic Gardner's Basin, the Atlantic City Aquarium offers a fun and educational look into more than 100 varieties of fish and marine animals. The Atlantic City Aquarium's eight tanks total 29,800 gallons of live exhibits. Highlights include the Fish of the New Jersey Coast Aquarium, which holds 23,000 gallons and teems with sea bass, lookdowns, sand tiger sharks, northern stingray, bluefish, weakfish, and kingfish. The 750-gallon Touch Tank allows visitors to handle green, horseshoes, hermit and spider crabs, sea urchins, seastars, common periwinkle, channel and knobbed whelk, horse and blue mussels, and common shore shrimp. Each exhibit features computer-enhanced information stations for self-tours, in addition to a 16-station Ocean Life Education Center for personal, in-depth exploration by visitors.
The Center is also accessible to the public via boat. It has become a center for community gatherings and the perfect venue for parties and meetings.
Location
New Hampshire Ave. & the Bay, Atlantic City, NJ, at the confluence of Absecon Inlet and Clam Creek
Building Size
Fourteen thousand five hundred (14,500) square-foot, three-story cedar-clad building featuring Widow's Walk, observation deck and first floor porch.
Components
The Main floor atrium displays 29,800 gallons of live exhibits. The second floor features interactive exhibits, 16 computer stations and a 577-square-foot classroom/ meeting room with state-of-the-art communications technology. The second and third floor indoor/outdoor observation decks round out the facility.
Building Cost
$4.5 million
Opening Date
May 1, 1999
Funded by
CRDA, City of Atlantic City, Atlantic City Historical Waterfront Foundation
Operated by
Atlantic City Historical Waterfront Foundation
Designed by
Blumberg & Associates
General Contractor
TN Ward Company
Aquarium Contractor
Baumgardner Construction
Mission Statement
Since we are all dependent on the ocean where life began, our commitment is to educate, inform and create a bond for children of all ages with the oceans that surround our planet.

"I really don't know why it is that all of us are so committed to the sea, except I think it is because in addition to the fact that the sea changes and the light changes and ships change, it is because we all came from the sea. And it is an interesting biological fact that all of us have, in our veins, the exact same percentage of salt in our blood that exists in the ocean, and, therefore we have salt in our blood, in our sweat, in our tears. We are tied to the ocean. And when we go back to the sea, whether it is to sail or to watch it, we are going back from where we came."

John F. Kennedy, September 14, 1962

The Atlantic City Jitneys

2005-12-04T06:58:00.000-08:00

Ups and downs for jitneys Popular transit buses battle spotty safety record in A.C.

ATLANTIC CITY-Tommy Holliday was leaving a winning session in a casino when the jitney he was riding in stopped in front of Bally's Atlantic City to pick up passengers.

"We got to the stop, and the guy right there went into the side of the jitney," Holliday said.

A red pickup truck sat in the center lane of Pacific Avenue, its front end jammed into the jitney's left side.

Holliday, a local resident, said it was the second time he was involved in an accident while riding a jitney. This one didn't seem to be the jitney driver's fault, he said.

In the previous incident, the driver was going too fast in a rain storm, lost control of the bus and hit another vehicle, Holliday said before hopping onto another jitney Friday afternoon. He wasn't injured, but a few other passengers got badly banged up in that one.

Jitneys have been a staple of Atlantic City transportation since 1915. For tourists and residents alike, they are a reliable and affordable means for getting around the city.

But as the buses bounce their way up and down Pacific Avenue, some say it's more like a thrill ride.

Unlike NJ Transit drivers, who are paid by the hour, jitney drivers own their own buses and keep the fares they collect. So the more fares they pick up, the more money they make. Franchises to drive one of the city's 190 jitneys sell for amounts well into six figures.

The Jitney Association held driver-training classes a few years ago, reminding the drivers to watch for traffic, pedestrians and construction, association President Manny Mathioudakis said.

Mathioudakis said in an interview last month that jitneys have gotten into repeated collisions, and insurers demanded an $8,500 annual premium per bus. The association trimmed the costs somewhat with driver training, security cameras and signs.

Adding to rider angst, nearly 75 percent of the city's jitneys failed a spot inspection by the state Motor Vehicle Commission in June. Of those, 52 had such serious violations that the state gave the owner 48 hours to make repairs or be pulled off the road.

Riders had mixed opinions on the jitneys' safety.

"I haven't had any problems with them," said a regular rider who declined to give his name.

One Atlantic City woman, who also wouldn't give her name, said she would take another means of transportation if she had the opportunity.

"Some of them are very nice, but a lot of them are a piece of work," she said.

"It matters who the driver is," said B. Meister, of Tinton Falls Monmouth County, who rides the jitneys on her twice-yearly trips to Atlantic City. "Sometimes you get a nice guy."

Stop and go

A Press of Atlantic City reporter took about 10 jitney rides for a first-hand view. Most drivers obeyed traffic laws but made quick starts and sudden stops as they picked up and dropped off passengers. One good bump bounced riders a foot or so into the air and left everyone on the bus gasping for breath.

But the reporter did witness one driver talk on a cell phone, which is against both Jitney Association policy and state law. And a sizable minority of jitney drivers failed to use a turn signal when pulling into and out of traffic. A couple of times, a jitney cut off and passed a fellow jitney driver to be the first to the curb to pick up waiting passengers.

"We get complaints on them, but I don't think their violations are worse than anyone else," said Capt. Bill McKnight, of the Atlantic City Police Department's traffic unit. "The design of the bus and Pacific Avenue make it feel worse than it is."

The crown of Pacific Avenue rises at every intersection, making the ride feel like a roller coaster, McKnight said. It feels more severe than in a passenger car because the jitneys are higher off the ground.

When the police get complaints of jitneys driving too fast, they put up speed traps, McKnight said, but the jitneys seldom get nailed by the radar guns.

Others see the situation differently.

In more than 30 years of practicing personal-injury law, Thomas Vesper, of Atlantic City, said he has handled hundreds of lawsuits involving jitneys. Some are the jitney driver's fault, sometimes they were cut off by another vehicle or jaywalking pedestrians.

Most jitney drivers are conscientious and "know they're operating a bus as opposed to a sports car," Vesper said. "But you have that silly 10 percent that give the jitney drivers a bad name."

Racing around town

The fact that jitney drivers keep their own fares is "an incentive to rush," Vesper said. "It turns into a rodeo to see who's going to get the passengers."

Vesper said he has seen cases where the jitney sped off before a passenger had a chance to sit down, or drop a passenger off and leave the stop before the person was out the door.

About two years ago, a jitney driver was talking on a cell phone and ran a red light, hitting a pedestrian, Vesper said. The woman rolled 85 feet down the street before the jitney stopped.

A sign inside jitneys telling riders to remain seated and that the Jitney Association will not be responsible for injuries to passengers who stand while the bus is in motion is "just warning people to do the right thing," Vesper said. It has no legal significance unless the passenger does something foolish.

On the other hand, Vesper said he has seen his share of people try to fake injuries on jitneys in order to receive a settlement. Once his firm checks out the story, they decline those cases.

But over the years, Vesper said the number and severity of the accidents he sees is getting worse. Perhaps it's due to increased traffic flow in Atlantic City.

But that only calls for more caution.

"I think the jitney drivers have to do more to enforce their own rules," Vesper said.

NEW FIGURES ON GAMING IN AMERICA

2005-12-03T11:59:00.000-08:00

NEW FIGURES ON GAMING IN AMERICA

Key findings in Casino City's North American Gaming Almanac:

* U.S. gaming revenue grew 7% in 2004 to reach an all-time high of 77.6 billion dollars, or 0.716% of total U.S. GDP.

* Casino and card room gaming accounted for 39% of total gaming revenue, lotteries for 28%, and tribal gaming, 25%.

* The largest growth, an increase of nearly 12%, was seen in tribal gaming.

* Revenue from lotteries and casino gaming also grew by more than 6%.

* Charitable gaming declined by nearly 6%, and race and sports wagering remained steady after a small decline in 2003.

* Of the 49 U.S. states (including the District of Columbia) with some form of legalized gaming, the state of Wyoming, while being the lowest
ranked in terms of gaming revenue in 2004, experienced the highest growth with a 66% increase in 2004 revenues over 2003.

ATLANTIC CITY Culture and History

2005-12-03T05:13:00.000-08:00

ATLANTIC CITY
Culture and History
Founded in 1793, the site of Atlantic City was the first town settled on Absecon Island. Fifty years later, Dr Jonathan Pitney led a group of businessmen in a venture to develop a bathing village and health resort on the island. The deal was sealed with a charter to operate a railroad from the boomtown of Camden, and by 1854 engineer Richard Osborne had designed and named Atlantic City.

Thousands of city dwellers from surrounding states took advantage of the inexpensive rail transport and flocked to the new town. City dwellers came to escape the summer heat and enjoy the seaside. With this influx of tourists, the city changed by developing amusement areas to maintain the interest of passing visitors. The world's first boardwalk was built in Atlantic City, and before too long amusement parks and nightclubs grew up along the stretches of wooden planks.

ADVERTISEMENT
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In the 1920s the resorts were the playground of the rich and famous; it became a pre-Broadway stop on the theatre route.

The city's popularity was confirmed by the first Miss America Pageant, staged here in 1921 and cunningly held in September to extend the tourist season beyond the Labor Day weekend. By the 1930s, the population totalled 66,000, and local nightclubs attracted the nation's top talents - Frank Sinatra, Duke Ellington and Benny Goodman to name a few - to the Steel Pier, which was dubbed 'the showplace of a nation'.

The rise of jet travel to vacation spots in Florida, the Caribbean and Europe led to the city's decline after WWII. Until the 1970s the city faced severe economic hardship, with a drop in tourism translating into rampant unemployment, drug abuse and crime. The 1964 Democratic Convention highlighted the city's woes; there was such a shortage of support services for delegates that it was clear the city could no longer accommodate an event of this magnitude.

In a hard-fought campaign, state voters were convinced that by allowing casino gambling the city could be revitalised. In 1978 the Resorts International casino opened its doors, attracting long lines at its blackjack tables and slot machines. By the 1980s, gambling was an around-the-clock business and the rail line with Philadelphia was resumed.

Today the city still has social problems and even more difficulty marketing itself as a family destination. While the casino industry has created 45,000 jobs and experienced record profits, little of this money has benefited the town, despite the many promises of prosperity made some 20 years ago. Local officials are lobbying for more attractions unrelated to gambling and the New Jersey legislature has redrafted casino law in order to force casinos to re-invest portions of their profits back into the city. Much like Las Vegas, Atlantic City is targeting a younger crowd with amusements, rides and outrageous architecture in its new developments.

CCC bans casino hosts on prostitution charges

2005-12-02T12:36:00.000-08:00

CCC bans casino hosts on prostitution charges

ATLANTIC CITY-Three former casino hosts were blacklisted from the gaming industry on Wednesday for their roles in a prostitution ring that supplied young Asian women to high rollers.

The action by the state Casino Control Commission means that Kevin Chau, James Kim and Xue Peipong are barred from stepping foot in any of Atlantic City's 12 casinos.

Chau, Kim and Peipong all pleaded guilty in U.S. District Court last year to federal charges and were sentenced to one or two years of probation and a $2,000 fine.

As casino hosts, they drummed up business for call girls who were recruited from Malaysia and other Far East nations to work in brothels on the East Coast. Prostitutes were bused to Atlantic City on weekends for sex with casino high rollers, who paid $200 or more for their services.

Chau worked as a host at Bally's, Kim was a marketing executive at Bally's and Peipong was a host at Resorts. Working with a Philadelphia brothel owner, the hosts arranged for sexual trysts, authorities said. The casinos themselves were not involved in the prostitution ring.

In other business at the Casino Control Commission meeting Wednesday, Bally's was fined $15,000 for allowing a self-excluded gambler in the property. The gambler, who was not publicly identified, lost more than $20,000 at the Bally's craps tables in a four-day betting binge last year.

Created in 2001, the state's self-exclusion program is designed to help compulsive gamblers avoid the pitfalls of betting. Once they voluntarily place themselves in the program, gamblers are banned from entering casinos and must forfeit their winnings if they bet illegally.

Casinos are required to have procedures to prevent self-excluded gamblers from placing bets, getting credit or receiving any promotional offers for gaming.

Sisters of St Francis

2005-12-01T17:08:00.000-08:00

Sisters of St Francis A man is driving down a deserted stretch of highway
when he notices a
sign out of the corner of his eye....It reads:

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
10 MILES

He thinks this is a figment of his imagination and
drives on without
second thought....Soon he sees another sign which
reads:

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
5 MILES

Suddenly he begins to realize that these signs are for
real and drives
past a third sign saying:

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS
HOUSE OF PROSTITUTION
NEXT RIGHT

His curiosity gets the best of him and he pulls into
the drive. On the
far side of the parking lot is a stone building with a

small sign next to the door reading:

SISTERS OF ST. FRANCIS

He climbs the steps and rings the bell. The door is
answered by a nun in
a long black habit who asks, "What may we do
for you my son?"

He answers, "I saw your signs along the highway and
was interested in
possibly doing business...."

"Very well my son. Please follow me." He is led
through many winding
passages and is soon quite disoriented. The nun
stops at a closed door and tells the man, "Please
knock on this door."

He does so and another nun in a long habit, holding a
tin cup answers
the door... This nun instructs, "Please place $100

in the cup then go through the large wooden door at
the end of the
hallway."

He puts $100 in the cup, eagerly trots down the hall
and slips through
the door pulling it shut behind him.

The door locks, and he finds himself back in the
parking lot facing
another sign:

GO IN PEACE.
YOU HAVE JUST BEEN SCREWED BY THE SISTERS OF ST.
FRANCIS.

SERVES YOU RIGHT, YOU SINNER

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Launches ShopBorgata.com

2005-12-01T16:54:00.000-08:00

November 29, 2005 09:01 AM US Eastern Timezone

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa Launches ShopBorgata.com Just in Time for the Holidays; ShopBorgata.com Debuts December 2

SAN FRANCISCO--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 29, 2005--Starting December 2nd, bringing home the stylish decor of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa will be just a click away with the official launch of ShopBorgata.com. It is a one-stop-shop offering Borgata customers a chance to buy the luxury furnishings, plush bedding and other amenities they love during their visits to the premiere East Coast destination.

"Our guests frequently contact us to purchase the furnishings and amenities available exclusively at Borgata from our mattresses and bedding to the artwork around the property," explains Tina Ercole-LoBiondo, Retail Development Manager. "ShopBorgata.com will offer guests the ability to purchase these signature products, many of which have not yet been available for purchase, at their convenience. It's a perfect way to shop for holiday gifts this season, and enjoy the Borgata experience at home year-round."

Borgata captivated customers with its star-studded debut in 2003, and continues to innovate with the launch of ShopBorgata.com, the first-of-its-kind online retail store in Atlantic City. The new site will be powered by Boxport, the premier full-service provider of hotel-retail programs, and will satisfy the growing demand as more guests ask to buy signature Borgata products.

ShopBorgata.com will feature deluxe items for the home, available exclusively for ShopBorgata.com, like sumptuous Borgata bedding and art by Mark Willems; the signature steak knives & sauces available at Old Homestead Steak House, teapots from Suilan by Susanna Foo, and delicacies and flatware from Luke Palladino's restaurant Ombra. The online store will also offer popular products available at Borgata like the highly-anticipated Babes of Borgata 2006 calendar. All purchases are ensured with a 24-hour delivery guarantee, perfect for the busy holiday shopping season.

"When you stay at Borgata, you don't want to leave -- so we created an online retail store modeled after this experience, where you can visit as often as you like and get the same stylish products," said Steve Higgins, Founder, Boxport.

About Boxport

Boxport provides luxury hotels and premium condominiums with turnkey Direct-to-Consumer and Business to Business solutions including premium products, retail merchandising programs, re-order fulfillment and complete interior packages for hotel/condo developments. Boxport solutions combine world-class product development and procurement with expert management services, logistics support and hosted software applications. Boxport's successful solutions service in excess of 25,000 luxury guestrooms in the US and abroad. For more information, visit www.boxport.com or call 415-772-1670

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Sands acquires old Traymore site Oceanfront property offers opportunities for casino expansion

2005-12-01T12:53:00.000-08:00

ATLANTIC CITY-The little guy in town finally has what it needs to become one of the big boys - an oceanfront site that is ripe for development.

Dissatisfied with its status as Atlantic City's smallest gaming hall, the Sands Casino Hotel is buying the former Traymore Hotel site for an expansion project that would completely remake the faded, 25-year-old property.

The 7.7-acre Traymore parcel was sold Tuesday by Harrah's Entertainment Inc. to American Real Estate Partners as part of a $170 million package deal that also included the Flamingo Laughlin Hotel and Casino in Laughlin, Nev. A breakdown was not given for the price of the Traymore land.

American Real Estate Partners is an investment arm of billionaire Carl C. Icahn, who rescued the Sands in 2000 while it was floundering in bankruptcy under previous owners.

Icahn made no secret over the years of his desire to buy the Traymore site, but Caesars Entertainment Inc. wasn't interested in selling the property when it was the owner. Harrah's Entertainment inherited the site when it acquired Caesars Entertainment in June and immediately began looking for buyers.

"We considered it a nonstrategic asset," Harrah's spokesman David Strow said of the Traymore property. "We have a great many other opportunities that we're pursuing in Atlantic City."

Just three weeks ago, Harrah's announced plans for a $550 million expansion project that will add a new hotel tower, spa and retail-entertainment attractions to its casino in the Marina District. Harrah's is also developing a master plan to rejuvenate the Caesars and Bally's Boardwalk casinos that it acquired from Caesars Entertainment.

Caesars and Bally's are among the larger neighboring casinos that have overshadowed the tiny Sands for decades. The cramped and aging Sands has been hampered by its budget-hotel architecture and odd location slightly off the beach and Boardwalk.

"I think the Sands, from a location standpoint, is challenged," said Richard P. Brown, the casino's chief executive officer. "I think from a bricks and mortar standpoint, the Sands has always been challenged."

The Traymore site, where the historic Traymore Hotel once stood, finally gives the Sands what it desperately needs - a prime oceanfront location in the heart of the Boardwalk casino strip.

Brown was coy about discussing expansion plans for the 600-room Sands after the Traymore deal was announced Tuesday. In the past, the company said it wanted to build two beachfront towers totaling 2,000 rooms and an array of retail and entertainment attractions that could rival The Quarter, the mall-like shopping complex at Tropicana Casino and Resort.

"We have nothing that is solid," Brown said of possible development plans. "We're just looking at a whole bunch of options at this time. We're in the process of working through them at this point."

The Traymore site includes a block of vacant land directly in front of the Sands between Indiana Avenue and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. A smaller section of the property extends to Kentucky Avenue.

Now that it is acquiring the Traymore parcel, the Sands will concentrate on the ocean side of the casino instead of looking across the street for major expansion. Previously, the Sands had discussed the possibility of redeveloping what is now the city's post office when the 70-year-old building on Pacific Avenue is closed and a new mail facility is built downtown.

On the operating side, the Sands continues to recover from a disastrous decision three years ago to junk virtually all of its gaming tables in favor of a slots-only strategy. Since then, it has rebuilt its table games business, but is still largely regarded as a haven for low-rolling slot players.

The Sands stumbled in the third quarter, suffering a nearly 37 percent drop in gross operating profit. For the first nine months of the year, the casino's gross operating profit is down 39 percent and net revenue has slipped almost 5 percent.

In September, GB Holdings Inc., a minority shareholder of the Sands' parent company, filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after it failed to make a $43.7 million bond payment. GB Holdings was once the Sands' parent, but a $110 million debt refinancing last year eased the casino's financial burdens and changed the ownership structure.

Atlantic Coast Entertainment Holdings Inc. is now the Sands' parent. At the time of its bankruptcy filing, GB Holdings had a 28 percent stake in Atlantic Coast Entertainment.

Atlantic Coast Entertainment, in turn, falls under the umbrella of Icahn's multifaceted investment group, American Real Estate Partners. Another related entity, ACE Gaming LLC, operator of the Sands, will have the option of acquiring the Traymore site from American Real Estate Partners.

RNG IN ONLINE CASINOS

2005-11-30T13:18:00.000-08:00

Why you can trust the online version of a random number generator
The results provided by the random number generator are not only protected by tamper-proof programs within the software, but they are also third-party monitored on a daily basis (most of them) as yet another way to keep tabs on things. And at the end of the month a report is filed and then audited to be accurate by the independent accounting firm known world-wide for its integrity, PriceWaterhouseCoopers. The casino owners have no control over these reports and the information reported by the casino must coordinate with the numbers that the parent software provider will see, or an investigation would be under way to discover where the discrepancy may lie. What this means to you

Monthly audit reports on casino payouts by PriceWaterhouseCoopers
as a player is that you can count on these reports to accurately portray the action the casino has seen over the previous month's time.
5 reel slots game
Treasure Nile
But that is where the ball comes to a stop. The reports do not tell whether a casino has actually paid the people that won the money. This is the point that it becomes paramount that you are playing some place with the capital and integrity to cover and PAY its losses.
There is one software provider that does try to police this aspect (Microgaming) but they only get involved when a casino has completely went out of business. In other words, if a casino using Microgaming software goes under, so far.... Microgaming has always stepped in and made sure that the players left with unpaid accounts, get their money.
You might expect however that a casino seldom goes under that doesn't pay its big winners. That is true. How do these casinos get away with not paying while still under the watchful eye of the parent software provider, even though that company is concerned about players getting paid what they deserve?
Unscrupulous casino owners use such practices to avoid paying their winners as denying cash-ins because a player hasn't satisfied the requirements for getting paid, even though he/she has attempted to do so.
Let me explain further. Most reputable online casinos will not just pay a player when they try to cash-in
Cash-ins and casinos that don't pay.

Keno is like the lottery in that the player chooses or picks their "numbers" and if the numbers come up, the player wins. Despite the large house edge, this game has weathered all time has thrown at it and still remains a favorite to many people around the world.
(any sizeable amount, you're okay with a small amount) unless the player has met the pre-defined requirements for a cash-in. This usually entails your having to fax proof of who you are, which includes a copy of your drivers license, a recent utility bill (so they know they are sending the money to your current place of residence) ... and depending on the casino. you may even need to include a note from your mother (jus kiddin').
- Please note that using an ewallet such as NETeller, which I currently use and recommend, makes it much less likely you will encounter a casino requiring the fax-back information when you cashin. -
Here is a response I received from one Microgaming casino, quote: In general, we may request a copy of a photo ID, bank statement, and utility bill. However, I must emphasize that there is no set formula, and our financial department determines the requirements on a case by case basis. end quote:.
Well you can see where there is room for interpretation which always can lead to disagreement and ultimately harsh words, and when you use harsh words with the casino; you can pretty well kiss your account good-bye.
Cash-ins and casinos that don't pay.
These proofs can easily be said to have not arrived in a clear and legible form, thus the casino will state that until such a time comes that you the player, have faxed in the required information in a form that is legible, they will not honor your cash-in. You have little recourse if this should happen, unless of course you've signed-up to play through a reputable casino portal. In that case, often times you can contact the owner of the casino portal and after stating your problem, ask for help in getting paid.

Honesty in casinos

2005-11-29T12:35:00.000-08:00

There are very few people that have gambled online to any extent that haven't been burned by a cheating casino, whether by fixed games (cheating software) or the most common way which is by non-payment on winnings. The more places you play, the higher the chances are that you will join the ever-growing list of victims to fall prey to such places.
There ARE honest casinos online however which actually have better payback ratios than those found in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. This book will save you not only the frustration and financial loss of stumbling into the wrong casino, but will also help you to avoid the most costly aspect of choosing to play at the wrong place, and that is it will guide you away from casino webs that might put your very identity at stake by teaching you how to recognize which sites are using secure webs and which ones are not: but first let me explain how you can expect to be cheated if you do happen into the wrong place(s).
Please keep in mind that unless otherwise indicated, that I will be speaking about casinos using publicly traded software which is almost always a sure bet to have fair-odds games because in the online gambling niche the real
To anyone who likes to gamble for more than just chasing bonuses, this is the best deal around because if you ever have a problem with the casino, instead of it being just you against them, you now have a 3rd-party with considerable clout (because I send so many players, the casinos don't want to be taken off my guaranteed list which they cannot buy their way on), with a financial interest in the outcome of your problem being a just decision for all involved. Meaning I pay if they won't, so that at the very least you're not out any of your own pocket money. On top of that, I will still be working very hard to get the casino to pay you the full amount, because if I get that done, I'd like back the money I sent you. :), this is not binding, but I think it is fair since ultimately what you want, and what I want, is for you to be treated fairly. If I can't make the casino do it, then I will (to the best of my ability, which is why I can only guarantee your last deposit, and not if you won a million dollars). I am the real deal, if not, I'd promise the moon since I'd have no intention of going thru with it. That is not the case here, and I've been in business for over 5 years with nobody that can say they walked away feeling cheated by me.
continued next page
*above is text taken from the first page of my site: bondedcasinos.com
money is in providing or leasing the software to individual casino owners, not in running the casinos themselves. Further along I'll discuss proprietary software (games made by the casino owner) but for now suffice it to say that at those casinos, you won't have to worry about getting paid if you win. Winning however, may prove very difficult.
Some software providers make anywhere from $200k to $500k per year per casino in leasing fees, depending upon the deal, plus some (but not all) also make a % on the net income of the casino. And though I'm certain that percentage is a nice boost to their bottom line, the real money for these places comes upfront.
As you might imagine, if it were ever proven that a casino software was providing "tainted" results, the company would be out of business in a very short amount of time. Online casino games are constantly being challenged for "randomness" in their game results by a number of (non self-proclaimed) watchdog sites and continue to pass all tests. But say for a moment that a casino using Realtimegaming software was suddenly proven to be returning game results which the programs used to check for "randomness" had deemed to be suspect. Word would spread like wildfire during a drought season and any casino using the software by Realtimegaming would almost immediately become a ghost town. The RTG company would no longer be

getting the 100s, if not 1000s of payments they receive on a yearly basis (last I heard, to lease an RTG software for one year it was about $25k to $50k - to lease Microgaming software per year runs $250k and up).
Think about it serious gamblers!: if you have a problem and get an unsatisfactory reply from the casino support, where do you go then? Or on the other hand if you'd joined the casino thru my links you would have recourse instead of just frustration. A considerable difference. Surf their sites, but choose from mine. I understand mine aren't the prettiest sites, but I am sincere, I don't hide, many of you see me in the poker rooms on a regular basis and you know I play at sizeable stakes. I have the money and integrity to make my guarantee good. you'll always have someone to put your finger on if things go wrong. Casinos listed on this site offer 128 bit digital encrypted security. Games are by publicly traded software and their results are decided by Random Number Generator.
*above is text taken from the first page of my site: bondedcasinos.com
Fair-odds games are a result of a program called the "random number generator".
The software companies simply cannot allow something like that to happen so they install tamper-proof programs within the software which help to ensure that the casino owner isn't doing anything to alter the results provided by the random number generator.
random number generators have been used inside land-based casinos for years
A "random number generator" is the exact same program that has been used in video poker games at land-based casinos for years. So if you've ever played video poker at a land-based casino, then you should have no problem trusting their online versions because they're the exact same program.

Sabitinis in AC closing

2005-11-28T14:36:00.000-08:00

Once a thorn in his side, restaurant owners to sell to Trump

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - The Donald tried to squeeze them out.

But Vincent and Clare Sabatini fought back, beating Trump at his own game and winning a measure of celebrity when "Doonesbury" author Garry Trudeau took up their cause.

Eight years later, the owners of Sabatini's Restaurant - a small mom-and-pop located across the street from Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino - are cashing in their chips. Next month, they will sell the small brick building to Trump's casino company and retire after 40 years in business.

"The time is right," said a bittersweet Clare Sabatini, 73. "It's right for us, and it's right for Mr. Trump. We're happy and they're happy."

It wasn't always so.

In 1997, Trump - whose casino company owns three Atlantic City gambling halls - set his sights on Columbia Place, the block sitting between his Trump Plaza Hotel & Casino and Caesars Atlantic City Hotel Casino on the other side.

Left behind in the real estate frenzy that came with the casino boom, it still had three holdouts: Sabatini's Restaurant, a cash-for-gold store next door and a former boarding house where widow Vera Coking lives down the block.

Trump, who wanted to acquire the properties so he could expand Trump Plaza, got the state Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to begin condemnation proceedings against all three, justifying the move as an attempt to add hotel rooms to support the new Atlantic City Convention Center.

CRDA representatives told Clare Sabatini she would be handcuffed and taken out of her restaurant if she didn't agree to sell, she said.

But the couple wasn't buying it.

"This is America!" says Vincent Sabatini, 75, recalling the battle during a break from his kitchen on a recent Wednesday night. "How can they put me out of business? How could they just take my deed from me?"

Publicity about the struggle caught the attention of Trudeau, who highlighted it in a week's worth of strips in February 1997.

"So I grab their property through eminent domain, but they fight it," Trump told the Duke character in one strip. "Tie me up in hearings for three years! Problem: How to get these yo-yos to fold and get out," said Doonesbury's Trump, referring to the "miserable little family restaurant" in his way.

Afterward, Clare Sabatini wrote to Trudeau to thank him for the "Doonesbury" cartoons, and he replied by sending her the original drawings. "He thanked me for being a good sport," she said.

The following year, a judge threw out the eminent domain claims against all three properties, saying they were improper because the primary beneficiary would have been Trump, not the public.

Talks between the Sabatinis and Trump resumed this year after Trump Entertainment emerged from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a $500 million line of credit and a mandate to update and modernize its three casinos.

Company officials, who still want to buy out Coking and the cash-for-gold store, won't say what they have planned for the block if and when they acquire all three properties.

"Obviously, that's the biggest opportunity for Trump Plaza," said James Perry, CEO of Trump Entertainment. "It's essentially vacant land right next door, and at the base of the (Atlantic City) Expressway."

He would not divulge the terms of the Sabatinis buy-out; according to Vincent Sabatini, the price is more than $2 million, but he would not be more specific.

"Mrs. Sabatini is a wonderful lady and I'm glad we finally made a deal," said Trump, through a spokeswoman.

The Sabatinis, who opened the restaurant in 1965, have kept it operating despite their health problems and the loss of business to casino buffets and "comped" meals.

"You can't compete with free," said Clare Sabatini.

Soon, the decorative dishes, plaques and framed newspaper articles will come down from the walls and the head chef - who calls his wife of 52 years "the boss" - will hang up his white apron. The restaurant equipment, meanwhile, will be donated to Jean Webster's soup kitchen at the First Presbyterian Church.

Their customers have mixed emotions.

"I'm glad Mr. Trump gave them the money they're due," said Debra Pellet, 50, of Somerville. "They held out all these years and he finally came through. But it's sad that it won't be here anymore."

The couple will say ciao to the community - and vice versa - with a Dec. 6 "bon voyage" party at Sabatini's Restaurant. The party, which costs $15, will raise money for AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center and Shore Memorial Hospital.

For one last night, Vincent Sabatini will be cooking.

"I'll be in the kitchen. No tux for me," he said

Casino jokes

2005-11-27T12:03:00.000-08:00

I want you to help me stop my son gambling," an anxious father said to his boy's
principal. "I don't know where he gets it from but it's bet, bet, bet."
"Leave it to me," said the principal. A week later he phoned the boy's father. "I think I've
cured him," he said.
"How?"
"Well, I saw him looking at my beard and he said, 'I bet that's a false beard.'
'How much?' I said, and he said "$5 "
"What happened?" asked the father.
"Well, he tugged my beard, which is quite natural, and I made him give me $5. I'm sure
that'll teach him a lesson."
"No, it won't," said the father. "He bet me $10 this morning that he'd pull your beard with
your permission by the end of the week!"

Harrahs plans for Atlantic City

2005-11-24T02:58:00.000-08:00

Continuing its commitment to the
providing the very best in branded entertainment to its guests,
Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. (NYSE:HET) today announced plans for a
$550 million upgrade and expansion of Harrah's Atlantic City.

Pending receipt of required approvals, Harrah's plans to build a
172,000-square-foot retail and entertainment complex, featuring
numerous amenities designed to provide the ultimate in comfort and
excitement to Harrah's customers, including a a Red Door spa with 22
treatment rooms, an ultra-lounge nightclub, an indoor pool and
entertainment complex, a new Diamond Lounge, new retail stores, a 650-
seat buffet and a 500-seat coffee shop. Harrah's Atlantic City's
existing buffet will be converted into additional gaming space,
adding 400 slot machines and 20 table games.

The centerpiece of the expansion will be a 964-room hotel tower,
featuring 13 super-suites and 183 suites. When complete, the new
tower will boost Harrah's Atlantic City's hotel capacity by nearly 60
percent.

The entertainment and retail center is expected to open by the end of
2006, while the new hotel tower is slated for completion in the
second quarter of 2008.

"This ambitious expansion will make Harrah's Atlantic City a more
inviting casino destination than ever," said Carlos Tolosa, Harrah's
Eastern Division president. "And, the new tower will allow us to
capture more of the tremendous unmet demand for Atlantic City hotel
rooms. There are few markets that have historically been as
attractive, stable and business-friendly as New Jersey, and we're
pleased to make this sizable investment in the future of Atlantic
City. We hope New Jersey stays focused on creating a business
environment that encourages this type of growth, investment and job
creation."

Harrah's Entertainment, Inc. is the world's largest provider of
branded casino entertainment. Since its beginning in Reno, Nevada 68
years ago, Harrah's has grown through development of new properties,
expansions and acquisitions. Harrah's Entertainment is focused on
building loyalty and value with its customers through a unique
combination of great service, excellent products, unsurpassed
distribution, operational excellence and technology leadership.

CASINO AND GAMBLING JOKES

2005-11-23T10:06:00.000-08:00

Three buddies decided to take their wives on vacation for a week in Las Vegas. The week flew by and they all had a great time. After they returned home and the men went back to work, they sat around at break and discussed their vacation.

The first guy says "I don't think I'll ever do that again! Ever since we got back, my old lady flings her arms & hollers, "7 come 11" all night & I haven't had a wink of sleep!"

The second guy says "I know what you mean...my old lady played black jack the whole time we were there and she slaps the bed all night and hollers "hit me light or hit me hard", and I haven't had a wink of sleep either!"

The third guy says "You guys think you have it bad! My old lady played the slots the whole time we were there and I wake up each morning with a sore dick and an a$$ full of quarters."
A man comes home to find his wife packing her bags. "Where are you going?" demands the surprised husband. "To Las Vegas! I found out that there are men that will pay me $500 to do what I do for you for free!" The man pondered that thought for a moment, and then began packing HIS bags. "What do you think you are doing?" she screamed. "I'm going to Las Vegas with you... I want to see how you're going to live on $1000 a year!"
A group from Chicago spent a weekend gambling in Las Vegas. One of the men on that trip
won $100,000. He didn't want anyone to know about it, so he decided not to return with the
others, but took a later plane home -- arriving back 3 a.m. He immediately went out to the
backyard of his house, dug a hole and planted the money in it. The following morning he
walked outside and found only an empty hole. He noticed footsteps leading from the hole to
the house next door, which was owned by a deaf-mute. On the same street lived a
professor who understood sign language and was a friend of the deaf man. Grabbing his
pistol, the enraged man went to awaken the professor and dragged him to the deaf man's
house.
"You tell this guy that if he doesn't give me back my $100,000 I'm going to kill him!" he
screamed at the professor. The professor conveyed the message to his friend, and his
friend replied in sign language, "I hid it in my backyard, underneath the cherry tree."
The professor turned to the man with the gun and said, "He's not going to tell you. He said
he'd rather die first."

CASINO AND GAMBLING JOKES

2005-11-22T13:19:00.000-08:00

Two friends, Harry and Potter, went together to play the slot machines at the casino. Each agreed that when his allotted money was gone, he would go set on the bench and wait for the other to finish.

Potter quickly lost all of his money and went to sit on the bench. He waited and waited and waited some more. After what seemed an eternity, he saw Harry coming toward him carrying a huge sack of coins.

"Hey, Potter," said Harry, "how'd you do?" "Well, Harry", said Potter, "you see me here on this bench- what do you think? It looks like you hit it big, though." "Oh yeah," said Harry, "did I ever find a good machine! It's way in the back. I'll show it to you - you can't lose! Every time you put in a buck four quarters come out!"
A blackjack dealer and a player with a thirteen count in his hand were arguing about whether or not it was appropriate to tip the dealer.

The player said, "When I get bad cards, it's not the dealer's fault. Accordingly, when I get good cards, the dealer obviously had nothing to do with it so, why should I tip him?"

The dealer said, "When you eat out do you tip the waiter?" ... "Yes."

"Well then, he serves you food; I'm serving you cards, so you should tip me."

"Okay, but, the waiter gives me what I ask for. I'll take an eight!"

A Man Wins the Lottery

2005-11-21T14:01:00.000-08:00

A Man Wins the Lottery
A man rushes into his house and yells to his wife, "Martha, pack up your things. I just won the California lottery!"
Martha replies, "Shall I pack for warm weather or cold?"
The man responds, "I don't care. Just so long as you're out of the house by noon!"

SLOT payouts

2005-11-20T06:10:00.000-08:00

Who says that the higher denomination slot machines are the better play? According to the August results as reported by the casino control commision, the $100 slots, 6 total machines, at the Trump Marina paid out at 81% for that month. This is a good example as to why the long term must be taken into account when dealing with the percentages, especially the lower numbere and less played high end machines.

CASINO AND GAMBLING JOKES

2005-11-19T06:35:00.000-08:00

CASINO AND GAMBLING JOKES
A young sexy blonde went to Las Vegas. She had been in the casino for about an hour, and realized she was thirsty. So she went to the pop machine in the hall. She put $1.00 in an a Pepsi came out, she put another $1.00 in and another Pepsi came out, she put one last $1.00 in and another Pepsi came out.

A man saw her, and he said: "What are you doing?" And the sexy blonde said: "Duh!!

Winning!!!"

LAS VEGAS Travel Tips

2005-11-18T12:56:00.000-08:00

Travel Tips
Allow extra time to get to the airport. The airlines are requesting that travelers check in two hours before domestic flights and three hours before international flights to allow for the additional screening that is taking place. Allow additional time for what we anticipate to be long delays just entering the airport and finding parking, not to mention the walk to your terminal, if you drive.
Before you pack, check with the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for the latest list of items that you are not allowed to take on a plane. Here are the basics as far as what is currently prohibited as carry-on.

Sharp edge or pointed items including knives of any length, or made from any material, are not permitted. That includes the obvious: cutting instruments of every kind, carpet knives, box cutters, knives with folding or retractable blades (regardless of blade length), steak knives, straight edge razors, ice picks, and scissors. Not so obvious items like that small Swiss Army knife or oversized baby pin that you keep on your key-chain are also not allowed.
Flammable sprays including hair-spray can not be carried on.
Other items, which you might have carried on in the past including baseball bats, golf clubs, pool cues, ski poles, and hockey sticks are no longer allowed in the cabin.
Medically necessary needles and syringes, including those used by diabetics and EpiPens, carried by many for allergies, are exempt from these prohibitions if passengers have in their possession prescription medication with a professionally printed label that identifies the medical office, pharmacy, or manufacturer of the medication.
For additional information on baggage restrictions click here to jump to the TSA site.

Wear comfortable shoes. You will no doubt find yourself doing more standing and walking than on previous trips.

CASINO AND GAMBLING JOKES

2005-11-17T13:11:00.000-08:00

A. A. A. D. D. - Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. -

2005-11-16T12:30:00.000-08:00

A. A. A. D. D. - Recently, I was diagnosed with A. A. A. D. D. -

Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder.

This is how it manifests itself:

I decide to water my garden.

As I turn on the hose in the driveway, I look over at my car and decide
my car needs washing.

As I start toward the garage, I notice that there is mail on the porch
table that I brought up from the mailbox earlier.

I decide to go through the mail before I wash the car.

I lay my car keys down on the table, put the junk mail in the garbage
can under the table, and notice that the can is full.

So, I decide to put the bills back on the table and take out the
garbage first.

But then I think, since I'm going to be near the mailbox when I take
out the garbage anyway, I may as well pay the bills first.

I take my checkbook off the table, and see that there is only one
check left.

My extra checks are in my desk in the study, so I go inside the house
to my desk where I find the can of Coke that I had been
drinking.

I'm going to look for my checks, but first I need to push the Coke
aside so that I don't accidentally knock it over. I realize the Coke is
getting warm, and I decide I should put it in the refrigerator to keep
it cold.

As I head toward the kitchen with the Coke, a vase of flowers on the
counter catches my eye--they need to be watered.

I set the Coke down on the counter, and I discover my reading glasses
that I've been searching for all morning.

I decide I better put them back on my desk, but first I'm going to
water the flowers.

I set the glasses back down on the counter, fill a container with water
and suddenly I spot the TV remote. Someone left it on the
kitchen table.

I realize that tonight when we go to wat ch TV, I will be looking for
the remote, but I won't remember that it's on the kitchen table,
so I decide to put it back in the den where it belongs, but first I'll
water the flowers.

I pour some water in the flowers, but quite a bit of it spills on the
floor.

So, I set the remote back down on the table, get some towels and wipe
up the spill.

Then I head down the hall trying to remember what I was planning to do.

At the end of the day: the driveway is flooded the car isn't washed,
the bills aren't paid,
there is a warm can of Coke sitting on the counter, there is still
only one check in my check book,
I can't find the remote, I can't find my glasses, and I don't remember
what I did with the car keys.

Then when I try to figure out why nothing got done today, I'm really
baffled because I know I was busy all day long, and I'm really
tired.

I realize this is a serious problem, and I'll try to get some help for
it, but first I'll check my e-mail.

Do me a favor, will you? Forward this message to everyone you know,
because I don't remember who I have sent it to.

Don't laugh -- if this isn't you yet, your day is coming!

Las Vegas Trip 7/25-8/1 Rio/Hilton

2005-11-10T04:26:00.000-08:00

7/25-8/1 Rio/Hilton
Laura and I left with car service at 5:15 for our 15-minute ride to Newark, 7:30 departure to LV via Continental. We were sleepless from the night before and only napped a few hours, I have mild claustrophobia and need my xanax. All was smooth, on board and then told a 15 minute delay due to thunderstorms; turns into a 2 hour plus delay, I had fallen asleep, wake up and realize we are still on the dam runway! Had planned on a LV arrival at around 10 AM, now it was after noon. Off to luggage, dollar and smooth ride to the Rio. Laura is jonesing for the pool, as I am, also. Check in was quick at Diamond, we get to the room, say change to swimwear and head to the pool. As I walk to my side of the bed, switch sneakers to flip flops, I step onto a soaked rug. The wet bar was literally wetting the whole side of the room. Call down for maintenance, they said that they thought the room was vacuumed, not. Now, to change rooms to 13th floor, (if they’re not superstitious neither am I). I called two different places and was told there were no extra coffee makers in the building. Finally, off to the pool and a stop at Starbucks on the way. I had entries into the slot tournament but missed out on Monday’s so only had two days to play. I am still in a suprisingly good mood, optimistic instead of pissed, and it was the medication. We haul off to the sun and swim and get back to the room around 6. I know the vp is bad at the Rio, as are the slots but decide to play some to earn some points, we are not sure if we will make diamond for next year but at least all rooms are comped for this trip. I checked out the slot selections, the usual new mega line pennies and nickels proliferate. Noticed a few dollar banks with the large 98% payback signs and the miniscule up to, I always wondered what the heck this means, literally it can be a one- percent payback! A lady had 700 credits and I was still in that optimistic mode, I throw in a 100 but eventually lost it all. Back to the room, Laura was prepping to go out and we checked out the Diamond club, we get up and they still have the courtesy free Internet access which I will need later in the week. We decide to go off to the Gold Coast, stay and get players cards and check out the shuttle schedule. Nice, 15 minute rides to the Orleans and Barbary Coast. We played awhile here and did ok, I have wanted to check out the Orleans for awhile and we head out. Quick trip, we find some nice banks of machines, Pharaoh’s fortune, Cleo, Sally’s Shrimpmania. Laura has a great bonus on the Pharaohs, I never pick the right tiles, she ends up over $100 profit. I did ok, off to some VP. Waitress service was good and we were able to have the girls recognize us and keep us from dehydration. We enjoyed our night and made sure we would be back. Last shuttle departs at 12:30 am so we went back to Gold Coast. A quick walk through the casino and through the top floor of the parking garage, across the street and back to the Rio. We played some slots here, the new match game, got the bonus but lost in the end.
Day 2, 3, 4. The next few days were a blur as we basically followed the same routine. Pool in the day, and Gold Coast to Orleans and back to Rio. We did drive up the road to some supermarket to load up on snacks and drinks for the pool. Drive north from Rio to the palms and about a quarter mile is a strip mall with a supermarket, lots of Spanish staples, had a good deal on Pepsi 12 packs 2 for 6, and get a free 12 pack of their lemon lime version, forget the name, They also had the diet red Mt. Dew which I can no longer find on the East Coast. I still get a kick out of the slots in the supermarkets. We had comps on the connection card so we decided to hit Caesars for awhile and for dinner night 2. We went to the players club and inserted the card into the kiosk; it read please see connection host. Ok, I will not bore w/details but we have over $900 accumulated comps from AC play and planned on using them at Caesars as we have stayed here often. We were here last year had moved two plus years ago and the address should have been fine. Well, we are told that we had a mailback issue, guess it means they mailed to our old address and now we are out of the system, figures, we did not receive any offers all year, reason for not staying here this year. We go through the line; now for such a megaresort I could never get why they have such a small and understaffed players club, AC is much better and has two sites. We are directed to the main cashier’s cage where we are told they will update info, blah, blah, blah. Ok, seems fine, I go to the kiosk there, try to print a comp, sos! I think, maybe we need to play first, so I play some VP, card accepts, points show, comps show, looks like all is fixed. Back to the kiosk, still no access, finally find a slot floor person, explain, go to club connection, we again have to wait in line, same old rigamaro. Now, the people were trying and polite in attempting to fix the problem but were clueless. I did get a hand written comp for our dinner, even as they were trying to send us through the whole go back to cashiers cage, blah, I just said sternly to write us a dinner comp as we were now starving and I no longer wished to play here. We did indeed plan to stay awhile, get comps for late night and lunch quick meals from the food court that would come in handy the next few days. We left for Rio and GC and Orleans. I enjoyed learning the shuttle bus skeds and being able to visit the off strip casinos and being able to leave the car parked and drink freely. We felt much better after a dinner and we sat ourselves at the Twilight Zone machines at Gold Coast. I hate pennies but do make an exception to TZ; the machine has a great bonus and any spin can provide a big hit w/ the wild symbol multipliers. Well, I may have gotten used to the nickel TZ machines in AC, as these penny machines played like pennies. Laura was doing well, but I must’ve lost $300 in trying to get the good rng cycle. At least the drink service was quick and the drinks were ok, We did have to switch to some straight up absolute in between rounds as the ice was watering down the regular drinks. I opted for some Texas Tea machine and got back a little when I hit four bonus check symbols for 1600 nickels. I usually limit my VP play to the daytime non-drinking hours as I still need to increase a percent or so to be perfect and I do not wish to lower that w/ mind altered play. But on occasion, especially at GC and Orleans where they had 9/6 jb, we would sit for a few early in the evening. Laura did quite well on the WOF nickel special edition in the rear of Orleans playing 30 or 45 credits, many bonus rounds and she was picking the letters to boost the bonus multipliers. I dumped some in Mystical mermaids; this machine is either on fire or cold as ice, found a nice Leopard Spots and was walking around trying to play the video slots where I would hit the bonus round, do ten more spins and cash out. It did not work well, I think I need to alter it to not just the bonus but any hit 800 nickels or more on a single spin.
One strange thing happened at Orleans, I was playing a quarter WOF and spinning my wheels not theirs, I decide to cash out, the ticket’s $28.05. I meet Laura and wanted to try the Austin Powers disco ball machine; I never saw the second Austin machine or the third in AC and rarely see these in Vegas, I actually played a $20 first and no bonus put in the ticket and no credits. I flag a slot tech we try to figure out the situation. It now strikes me that the WOF machine should have given me a nickel change ticket when I inserted the original ticket, I had moved from a previous nickel machine. We proceed to locate the last machine I played and now the problem, it seems the ticket read no credit even though it printed the $28.05. I was told the credits remained in the last machine I played, naturally the 25 cent WOF are among the most played machines in the world and the machine I was on was being played. The tech was trying to locate the “lost” credits but all machines were being played. Now, another extremely nice slot attendant woman joined us. I was kind of out of luck as my credits were probably played off by another patron, I really did not want to make a fuss but also did not want to be out the $28. I asked if it would be possible to have a comp written for the buffet for us and we could call it even and go our ways, she was pleasant, it was late and I said even though we were not staying here we would be back again at night. The next night we were greeted by name and she personally ushered us to our table at the buffet, the food was fresh, many choices and we were stuffed and well satisfied. We also took advantage of the Coast promo through July that offered $50 visa cards for $40 in gold coast cashback, we ended w/ 3 Visa cards. Our hope is that we will have some room offers for next year as we enjoyed the more laid back atmosphere, Laura liked the generous video nickel slots and I had good play on the VP machines although no big hits. The casino was clean, some areas were a bit noisy, unfortunately it seemed a lot of kids were hanging by the west entrance. This is where I saw a bank of 8 Texas Tea machines, I wonder if these were the bank wittyjenny referred to in her past trip report. I was able to bounce from machine to machine on bonus rounds and was ahead $50 but when playing VP in the same area I had to leave as the annoying screaming kids, one in particular proved too much for my concentration. I did have a nice VP hit at the gold coast one afternoon; usually Laura is at the pool all day and I come and go, I’ll go out and get food, sit awhile and have about 2 hour stretches.The walk from the west entrance of the Rio across the street to Gold Coast is quick, entering the side door there is a bank of about 10 VP machines w/ those mini-progressives that pay for the 4oak w/ kickers, etc. I was there awhile and hit drew 4 2’s and a 5, I sat waited, nice guy next to me says how about an ace with that and boom, ace,$222! A high five, ten more hands and back to the pool.
We made it back to Caesars the next day, storm was in the area and the pool was closed temporarily so we went to see if things were straightened out, they were not we just asked for a written comp and had lunch at Café Lago. I did play in the slot tourney both days, actually had about 5th highest score in one round but only 2 highest advanced from the finals. Played some VP at Rio and had play but lost around $200, did try the quarter slots and played a Mystical Mermaid and got 1600 quarters on this 2 coin machine, so what happens I take it back to the 98% banks and give it back, well at least I was losing their money this round.
I figured that the VP was not going well and maybe the slots were to be good after the Mermaid hit, but don’t try to figure these places out.
We made 2 stops at the Palms, a short walk from Gold Coast, just be sure to cross carefully at the crosswalk. We are in our 40’s/30’s and young at heart but at night this place is just too twentysomethings for us; and I was LOL when I read that Casino Player readers voted this best drink service; in the past it was ok but after the jaunt from Rio and GC we needed refreshment. Both the waitresses in our areas were airheads, more concerned w/ flirting then serving and we had comments when asking to bring the same round like, “if I remember” and nonesuch, hey when the plastic surgery goes and everything drops in 20 years, they’ll be begging for tips. Actually, the girls in Orleans seemed just as pretty and much friendlier when taking orders.
Day 5,6,7.
We stayed all day, 2 PM checkout at Rio and drove over to the Hilton for our comped weekend. I had to sign up for new cards as the connection comps are over, in July at the AC Hilton, the comps were still being accepted but new cashback was in progress. This was unfortunate, and although we also play at Resorts AC, they do not have any connection with the LVH. The rooms, check-in was fine and friendly. Only tip, I should have left the luggage and checked in first as we found we had the east tower and you can park at the sportsbook area which is much closer to the East tower. I was anxious to hang in the Sportsarea and was armed w/ my printout of the VP machines. I am a baseball fan and it was quite nice to enjoy good VP and taking up a glance to check out the MLB games on the big screens. Laura checked out the pool as the storm moved on and was satisfied with it, although not expansive like Caesars and the Rio it was fine. I played awhile and headed to the Startrek place, I had a free million dollar chance for new player sign up and played the spell game and got to the last letter, won a free pass to the experience, tried to trade it for 2 tee shirts but they wouldn’t, oh well. Later, Laura found some nickel WOF special editions and was winning again, I moved around but couldn’t do anything, saw some nice hits on dollar WOF but none for me.
Next day the pool was a bit more crowded and we slept in as we were out late. I forgot to mention that we drove to the Orleans last night and left the car there. Today, I went down for coffee at the Sportsbook area and relaxed while playing more VP. The machines are plentiful in the area and always one can find an open machine, be it nickels, quarters, or dollars.Laura headed to the pool and I stayed awhile and then ventured to get the car. I took my initial ride on the monorail, off at Flamingo stop, down to Barbary Coast and was in luck as the shuttle was minutes from leaving. An exasperated rider was seated in front of me, complaining about let’s go, what are you waiting for, these kings and queens, hold on, why don’t you wait longer maybe Elvis is coming…another few minutes and he’s ranting, ok, wait some more Madonna is coming. Finally, the driver just tells him, go take a cab if you do not want to wait. I refrained from telling off the idiot; I feel these shuttles are a great asset and as they adhere to the posted time schedules what is the problem. Also, I discussed with Laura the tipping procedure, true you do not tip a bus driver on a public bus but you do tip a cab driver, I think a dollar for the shuttle drivers is not a big deal, seemed about a 25%-50% average gave a buck, Mr. Arrogant obviously did not. My trip from Hilton via monorail and shuttle to retrieve the car from Orleans was about 20 minutes in all and a $ 4.00 cost, a cab ride would’ve been about $15. I played a bit at Orleans and drove back to the Hilton. The Hilton was very relaxed, it houses many of the conventioneers, this week was the furniture show.
We planned to make our Freemont street trek for that evening and were told at the info desk that we can catch a CAT 108 bus in front of the Hilton. Note, the shuttle will also take you to the Sahara and underneath the monorail stop there you can also catch the same CAT 108 to downtown. Actually, the walk is about the same to he front of the property as to the back entrance to the monorail so why bother. We made it on an interesting ride through the seedy part of town; look AC and Vegas both have areas to be cautious in but AC is more widespread, we arrived downtown and I had planned to catch the shuttle out to Sam’s Town. We make it to the Freemont, check the sked and see we missed the shuttle by 5 minutes, but wait, a closer look and we see that it stops at California next and we had about 5 minutes to catch it. Off like a scene from A Hard Days Night, rushing through the casino, outside through Binions, oh, look, they changed the poker room area, out the side entrance, side-stepping the befuddled patrons staring aimlessly, as we heading around carousels of slots to find a person to ask where the shuttle stops, yes right outside, a deep breath, sigh as it is still there and on our way. A short trip in the nice AC, we have till 10:30 to play at Sams, get in at 8 just in time for the Mystical Falls show, very patriotic and nice, we head to sign up for players cards. Online, I read the players club flyer and note the asterisk about the points and how certain machines do not qualify for the same comp deal, we are treated nicely during the quick sign up and I ask about the asterisk; I add they are VP machines, correct, I ask for the location, way in the back, thank you and we’re off. We are THIRSTY, and find the VP machine that have a note across that state the comp policy, great no need to check the multi games for payoffs, now we need to spot a waitress. No one in the area, we decide to check out the rest of the casino floor and head east and Laura spots a waitress decides to play some nickel slots and we relax. I sense I am still not cooled off, we realize the AC in here is not really pumping, in fact I was sweating more now than when I came in. I find a bank of NSUD where some air is filtering in and settle down. Laura gets some drinks, suddenly waitresses are all around, and we play. A couple of Monopoly Grand Hotels, no big bonus and lose. I see an interesting variation on Pharaoh’s Fortune, they have a nine-symbol screen, get the bonus and it goes to the regular version bonus where you pick tiles, etc. The second screen appears and you have the regular version bonus screen, do ok. Next, hit a couple Lobstermania machines, hit bonus, cash out small profit from each. I am at the 15/8 deuces and doing ok, spinning my wheels, while I am nowhere near perfect on this VP game, I have some magic, most hands are dumps and another comes along and boom, 4 deuces, a $275 profit! Now, I am really sweating, order a few more and notice the time is close to go. I had two very nice waitresses, I did see her talk to a couple next to me who wanted another order and she had to refuse as only one was playing, occasionally laura or I will break and watch each other but we always get served as we tip for both drinks, I wonder if they were not tipping which prompted her denial to serve them. Well, we had a shuttle to catch and headed to Main Street Station. Someday we hope to stay here, love the old décor and the VP was usually good. WE need some liquid, set up at a near empty bar, great looking and play way. I know Laura hears the Twilight Zone machine calling her and we stay awhile, I leave up about $20 and we hit the TZ. Laura is doing ok but I can’t seem to get anything going. We stayed awhile, we were going to play some cheap roulette at Fitzgeralds but as we left the heat, drinks, and my asthma were acting up and I had to stop in the Golden Nugget as I started having a minor asthma attack; even though early on our time, we decide to call it a night and head home.
Our last day and we wake up tired and sad but agree we about have had enough. We get a late check-out, 2 PM and head to the pool and coffee. I check comps and cashback, we stayed under, so I thought, but when I awoke I noticed a room service table next to my bed; seems Laura was hungry and called in eggs, chicken and fries, I did not even touch my food, at least she ate hers. On screen check out, all is normal except the room service is $40! Oh, well we had about $70 in comps and bill was $100, funny the cashback was $97,in AC it is usually the reverse and comps are higher. One small complaint, they would not do the room charges over the phone as we are accustomed to, so off to the comp center, then to check-out. All were friendly and courteous; I just feel that Vegas should add some kiosks so players can simply print out their comps. The weather was nice most of the week, some rain, and some clouds. We decided to pack off to the Rio a meal and pool for the last of the daytime hours. After a couple of hours at the pool where we had lunch, I decided to play some VP. I was playing in the area where the beavertainers do there thing; it is near the All-American Grill. I forgot to mention a nice dinner we had there one night, Laura had a huge salad and Twin lobster tails, I had the NY Steak and one Lobster tail, when the waiter brought our plates out Laura gasped at the size of the tails, we made it about halfway through and wrapped the rest. Laura came by to get a clothes change for the trip home, I gave her the car keys and continued playing. A woman on DBL bonus had just received a nice hand pay as I was at a bank of triple/five play machines. About 5 minutes later, a guy down the row hit for a dealt royal on a 3 play, $3,000. I am holding my own and wondering if there is something in the air. Ten minutes later, a guy two machines around me hits a dealt royal on a five play-$5,000! Laura comes back, I am not ready to leave the area but my time is not here and we finally head to the car to Orleans to take care of the cashback and spend the last hour or two. Nothing much at Orleans, spun our wheels and headed off to Mccarran.
The flight home was smooth except for me, I was constantly thirsty and finished our water supply much too soon, the meds were not working too well and the rather large man in front of me put his seat back after 10 minutes in the air and I felt like that star wars scene where the walls were closing in. I could not relax as I felt the crampness smothering me, I think this is all related to a past MRI in the old fashioned tunnel machines that I couldn’t take. I have flown for years but the last ten are tough but I will stick it out; next trip I will double the meds!
Overall, Laura came home over $400 up, I was out about a grand plus all the tips, probably another $200. It is funny that I tried to stay away from the slots and play more VP; Laura won all hers on the nickel slots, I did feel I improved my VP play, food was paid for, rooms also, and we had about $200 cashback from Orleans with the 3 visa cards and an extra $37. We are likely not going to bother renting a car next trip as we were able to move around with the shuttles quite well.; I even had a half tank of gas left, of course no credit for it. Thanks to research and answers from this board we were able to navigate our choices of off strip quite well. I did only get to see the Wynn grounds from the monorail, that will be a definite stop next trip, it just seemed quite crowded this time and we were in the mood for a more laid back trip with a lot of down (pool) time and space. Hopefully the Royal is in the cards next trip.
PS- I realized I did not mention a jaunt to GVR, I anticipated more, but it was evening and Friday night, we did not get a full scope of the grounds and it was too crowded. I read where the layout of the slot floor was lauded, we felt much too crowded. The machines, video slots were of the new nature and too many lines not enough hits. I did play a nine line Hitchcock machine I never saw before but it was colddd!. I tried a fatburger and it was not an IN’n’Out; I did hit a bank of double bonus fp and was able to hit a quad w/ kicker for a $200 profit, I will give the place a shot during the week but Laura was not impressed w/ the slot selection.

Nevada Casino Matchcovers

2005-11-09T12:57:00.000-08:00

Nevada Casino Matchcovers

Welcome to the Nevada Casino Matchcovers site. The images of covers and full matchbooks contained herein were made possible by the generosity of the following collectors: Mark Englebretson, for his extensive generosity with his collection of classic Nevada matchcovers, Ron Clewell, Harriett Cohen, Doug Deems, Sandie & Norm Elliott, Joe DeGennaro, Pam Goertler, Don Lueders, Jim Munding, Rick, Olsen, Steve Passalacqua, Michael Petty, Pete Porro, Lance Robertson, Dave Smith, Sheldon Smith, Edwin Sugai and Gene Trimble. If you have rare or interesting matchcovers from Nevada casinos that you don't see here, I would appreciate the opportunity to exhibit an image of them here. Please contact me at the e-mail address below.
Some of the matchcovers shown below are from locations that have not been positively confirmed to have had gaming, but are shown because the name of the establishment, the location or other clue on the cover indicate a possible link to a known casino. The covers are not arranged in chronological order. Some covers may appear to be duplicates, but have minor variations that may be difficult to spot at first glance. Some covers may be from locations that didn't have gaming, but have some connection with gaming or were affiliated with a gaming establishment.
I am a member of the Casino Matchcover Club. Please contact me if you'd like more information on the club and how to join.
I am also a member of the Casino Chip & Gaming Token Collectors Club. For more information, you may visit the CCGTCC website at: www.ccgtcc.com

Supplement Developed by KGB Tames Risks of Alcohol-Related Diseases

2005-11-08T12:17:00.000-08:00

Supplement Developed by KGB Tames Risks of Alcohol-Related Diseases

A joint study conducted by Russia's top three scientific research institutes has concluded that the supplement pill RU-21 could have a distinct effect on alcohol metabolism, which would help reduce alcohol-related harm to the human body. These findings will be published in the British scientific journal Addiction Biology. RU-21 is an all-natural formula currently marketed in the United States as a dietary supplement.

The test results showed that RU-21 reduces the toxicity of ethyl alcohol by inhibiting the production rate of acetic aldehyde, the main poison of alcohol. "Acetic aldehyde boosts the chances of developing about 60 diseases, including alcoholism, several cancers, liver cirrhosis and neuropsychological disorders, and also contributes to hangover effects, such as headache, nausea, etc," says Vladimir Nuzhny, MD, Chief of Laboratory of Toxicology at the National Research Center on Addiction of the Russian Ministry of Public Health.

The study was carried out in accordance with the NIAAA (National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism) guidelines. Participating institutions included National Research Center on Addiction of the Russian Ministry of Public Health, Moscow University of Friendship and Russian Scientific Research Institute of Health.

Spirit Sciences USA, Inc., the company that owns the RU-21 brand, says the findings are beneficial for the product certification process currently underway in many countries. And Russian clinical trials are admissible in most countries, including the US. "Most importantly, it gives us an opportunity to again stress the point that RU-21 should not be perceived as an anti-hangover pill," says CEO Emil Chiaberi, "but as a supplement that should be taken even when minimal amounts of alcohol are consumed to reduce its toxic effects on the body."

RU-21 has already become a worldwide phenomenon with millions of pills selling on all five continents. Once the KGB's secret project decades ago, RU-21 became a trendy lifestyle product recently due in large part to its popularity among fashion models and Hollywood stars.

Spirit Sciences acknowledges that RU-21 caused a fair amount of controversy with some critics suggesting that its strong anti-hangover effect may promote excessive drinking. The company considers such criticism unfounded on the basis that all scientific evidence available to date points to contrary.

Many medical professionals agree. "There is no scientific evidence that harm reduction, including hangover prevention, causes rise in alcohol consumption rates," says Dr. Igor Persidsky of Long Beach, California. "But there is plenty of evidence showing how hangovers can promote drinking and alcohol dependence. A person who is experiencing a hangover is simply more likely to consume alcohol just to alleviate the symptoms."

Stephanie Ewing, a registered dietician at the University of California in Sacramento, has received many inquiries about RU-21 from students and is also positive about the product. "I get great feedback from those who have used it and it seems to really benefit those who drink in moderation," she says. "A product like this was long overdue and I'm glad the Russians are sharing with us their alcohol-countering techniques, which I'm sure they are very qualified to do."

ATLANTIC CITY NEW YEARS EVE 2004/2005

2005-11-04T09:14:00.000-08:00

NYE TRIP
After playing in Ac for the last 6 years, we finally received our first comp offer for NYE in early December. We were psyched to go and immediately called the Showboat to book our rooms. They included 2-3 nights, we opted for Thursday and Friday as we like to have a one day recovery before going back to work, and a choice of a dinner, we chose the Rib and Chop House. We left North Jersey on Thursday morning. After we both battled colds for the last week, hosted a dozen or so people for Christmas Eve, cleaned, prepared food, etc. it was a bit amazing we ended up going after all. Still we couldn't let this opportunity go as we may not get the comp next year. We arrived at Caesar's around lunchtime to meet up with my wife Laura's grandparents for lunch at Cafe Roma.They were leaving after a few days and we had a decent lunch together. We then stopped off at Bally's to get some anniversary cash back and plopped into the 25 cent 97% payback carousels.Laura had a hit on the Catch a Wave but I could not do anything on the leopard Spots or DD2000. Not a good start as we usually hit for a little something after awhile, guess we were in the wrong cycle here. Tried some 50 play VP and Rich Uncle, again nothing.
On we went to our comped rooms, nice to have the consecutive rooms and not be concerned with moving about

We retreated to our room for a few hours, I left to get some coffee and check out my Ripley's machines before it got too crowded. I played $100 through and was not lucky as the bonus rounds and questions were far and few between. I noticed the last of the older coin machines near the Ripey's, Instant Winner, Jackpot Party, Winning bid, now all gone and replaced by these newer versions and the Milk Money, Quackers,type machines that make a lot of noise but pay very little. I seem to hardly get a bonus playing a 20 dollar bill through these. I moved to the back of the SB, as I passed through the middle I saw the other nickel machines I used to like, such as Rich Girl, Double Diamond 2000, were now converted to pennies, and the payoffs seemed much worse. I ended up near the back by the boardwalk and tried my Martians Family Reunion. This 20 line machine is extremely volatile and can pay off quick and much if two wild symbols end up on a winning spin, but again no hits on a couple of 20's. Up to the room, Laura and I headed to the Pelican club for some food; good thing we were quick as , although it felt much like a Friday to us, we did not realize it was indeed Thursday and that the club was closing. They were nice and stayed open an extra hour for the people still lingering, we had some sandwiches and tacos were the hot food. Before leaving, we decided with my still feeling the effects of the cold and having a stuffed sinus, what the heck, let's order a couple of apple martinis and start early as we are likely to have an early night.We left and walked over to the Taj and tried out the recently installed bank of Yahtzee Looking for Love machines and the Ripleys Treasures of the World. I had some good bonus rounds on the Love machine and ended up cashing out for $100, finally left a machine with something, Laura had a long play on a 20 but ended up empty at the end. We moved around and found a waiter to take care of our thirst and p[played for awhile on various machines with nothing much going either way, lose, win, lose, win but had about 2 hours of play on the house. Finally, we headed back to the room and called it a night around midnight.
Friday morning I awoke with the cold still lingering and Had to stuff some pills down and headed for coffee as Laura rested. I tried the Ripleys and again came up empty; I decided to head back to the Taj where I lost my previous winnings on the Yahtzee love machines, noticed a woman to the right hitting like crazy on the Treasures machine, saddled up alongside and proceeded to drop another 40. On to the other section , I now decided to move to the 25 cent machines. I tried the grand hotel and went right through a 100 bill playing 9 lines 1 credit and not a bonus.Finally, I spotted a multi strike that kept me in play for about an hour and finally left with about 20 up. back to SB, picked up some breakfast at the Station Grille, City place towards the bus/parking area and brought the food upstairs. We headed for a nice walk along the boardwalk to Bally's, stopped at Sands to play off my $80 slot credit. I really hate these things, they have them in Borgata and now resorts , too. You have to play off the free play then you can cash out your winnings. I noticed something of interest here, when I wanted to play my credits at the Jackpot Party 25 cent machine, it had a sticker saying those credits could NOT be played on this machine. Later, in retrospect, I determined that I should look and only play all the m,achines that state they will not accept their credit play as there must be a reason in it that these are better set percentages. But, I was not thinking at the time , went over to a Yahtzee nickel and ended up with my $80 play returning only a $30 cash out ticket. We did go back to the 25 cent area where we sometimes do well, I am playing Jackpot Party and I finally get the bonus, along comes some lady and partner and I hear a loud "ohhh, I never saw this, what happens, now, yadya, yada, yada". Now, I don't know about you but I unless I have been winning, when I finally get a bonus I like to become one with the machine. My wife knows my idiosyncrasies such as now rooting out loud during the bonus, pray silently and shout at the end. Well, today with the cold and the bankroll diminished, I was in the need of a good hit. I swear I would love to open an Andy Warhol themed casino where we ate alone, played slots in private booths, etc. but no this woman comes along and boom the first box I touch pooper!. I shoot her a look to kill and she gets all " oh don't be so angry, yada, yada, yada. To rub salt into the wound, she ends up cashing out over 2000 credits on the other jackpot party 25 cent machine down the row. Laura played the quarter elephant king and had about 500 spins and never got the bonus. Finally, I moved to the lil green men and hit for about $50, look at the time and realize we have about half an hour to hike it to the SB for dinner reservations and now have to endure a hopper fill.WE power walked our aching feet back to SB, I still needed to change and had 5 minutes to spare. Down at 25 of , and we were settled in at a small table for 2 in the back of the Rib and Chop House.O(nly the seating was a small prob;lem, they had a special NYE menu and it seemed everyone opted for the surf and turf. We started w/ soup or salad, Laura had the salad and I chose the Lobster Bisque, both excellent. The appetizer was an anti paste and was also great, as was the main course which we could nowhere near finish. Dessert was a delightful collection of treats, custard, mousse, etc. that I tasted but could not finish. Even with the cold I was able to enjoy the meal tremendously. We then headed upstairs for a rest and were preparing for NYE. After awhile;e , we headed over to the Taj and played in our section for awhile;e, nothing too great again, finally after listening for the 8 pm winners of the boardroom game, we left to catch a Jitney to the Marina. We were not wearing coats and had planned to head back tom SB room and then out front. I was honestly sweating at the Taj and asked Laura if she minded if we just hoofed it to the front of the casino, we did, it was a bit of a wind tunnel effect on the short walk to the front, but within minutes our Jitney pulled up and it was a short trip to the Marina.As we ascended the escalator, we felt the vibe in the air at the Marina. The stage was set up in the Atrium, music blaring and people everywhere. We almost immediately ran into our host who greeted us for MYE. We saw the difference of it just being crowded and it being a livbely crowd of people out to celebrate and have fun. With a few hours to 12, we headed back to our area to see if we could get in some pla on the Cleopatra machines we like there. It was in this area that I noticed our felooow AC Mayor, Bruce. We introduced ourselves and chatted awhile before retreating back to my machine and ordering a few more rounds in prep for NYE. We did ok but no big wins until Laura hit a nice 4 wilds and was up. We took our tickets out and went toward the Atrium. I decided to hiot the Marina club for some carbs as the ******ini's were taking effect. Finally, we made our way back down the Atrium area for the midnight madness. Our fist NYE was a lot of fun and definitely different. We stayed a while longer before heading to the jitney and back to SB.
The next day, wee slept late, naturally. Although we were hoping for , we did not get the late check out. We did use the TV check out at 12, and tried to linger around but housekeeping were adamant to get our room done. Sluggishly, we headed out as we packed our things and made a trip[ to the car.After dropping everything off, we went to the Taj and found the Bombay where we had a decent breakfast. Afterwards, we decide to take a walk down to Caesar's. As we exited the Taj, the boardwalk seemed transformed into the 4th of July. Was this really New Year's Day 2005? The weather was almosdt 70 and it was wall to wall people. We had a nice e stroll that ended at Caesar's where I plopped down at a Multistrike VP. I did well for a change and hit a quad on the 3rd line to be follow d by another on the top line for 8x pay! We went to Bally's after for some lunch and played some on our favorite 25 cent carousel. Not much again. Finally, we walked back to SB, took our car over to the Marina where we stayed until we left, quite exhausted and drained. In all , It was a decent trip, much better than nursing the cold at home, although I would have enjoyed it much more if in good health. The machines were not as friendly and I have to again rethink our playing habits as the casinos are getting tighter and tighter.Happy New Year's to all.

Sinatra

2005-01-22T14:02:00.000-08:00

A top 40 winner this video slot is a combination of the best of some previous VS ideas. The Wheel of Fortune type bonus spinner keeps the original theme and adds to the fun as long as you advance to a credit space. Credits vary by coin in and the longer the round lasts you will see an increse in value. There is a game board of Frank's album covers and once you complete the board you see a jump in credit amounts per space; you also see an increase in the collect spaces.The other feature is the wild symbol that like the Unicorn game reveals all symbols in that row to become wild and will at times add up for some nice hits.On rare occasions one will have multi cross pays when two wilds appear on the screen.The downside of this game is the 15 coin 5 max coin per line bet which, when in a dry cycle, will eat the cash while you wait for the bonus. The music, the symbols, graphics and design make for an entertaining session and it kinda feels right playing this game in the casino. Stick to 15 lines 1 coin and move up if the machine is hot. I have never had nor witnessed any large payouts, about 2,000 credits would be a wise exit, but it is a lot of fun and can last awhile for the dollar. 3 cherries.

The Addams Family

2005-01-21T17:09:00.000-08:00

One of my all-time favorite video slots, this game is getting quite scarce. There were two less popular follow-ups, Cousin It's Bad hair day and Fry Fester that had the same format but different and less enjoyable bonus rounds. The game is a 9 line 5 coin max with a progressive for hitting the five wilds on a certain line w/ max coin bet. The sound bites are cool as the game itself is.The problem is the payback percentage; if set too low you run the risk of pumping in the cash to get that elusive bonus. There is a railroad scatter type bonus but it pays low. The main bonus is a three symbol anywhere on the reels with a distinctive sound that gets your heart going when the first two hit. Once you get the bonus you advance to the graveyard and select tombstones. The picks are tough but they at least let you through the first run unscathed.You can collect two of the three amounts in round 1 if lucky, you then get the next symbol and move on to the next set of stones. The graphics of the dead are colorful and fun to see rising up and reveal your bonus credits. The second round offers more choices but adds the collect stone which can end the bonus prematurely. If you pick right the credits advance in value through each round and add up nicely. Lurch makes a gruesome entrance as the sun comes out to end the bonus.The regular hits are enhanced by the wild symbol but high paying five of a kinds are quite rare.The game can last you a good amount of play for your dollar, cash out time is a mystery as the rng here is typically random; bonus rounds can come within 10 spins of each other or not at all as you play down 2000 credits. I usually go for the 27 credit bet and advance if I go up. 4 cherries.

Video Slot Review Lil' Green Men

2005-01-15T05:56:00.000-08:00

Lil' Green Men
This slot is found in various set ups such as 5 line 9 coin, 9 line 5 coin,etc. It makes for some confusion when switching between games as you often think you had a nice hit to realize the lines do not pay that way. Two bonus rounds, the first is three newspaper headlines where you then select a character and a credit amount is revealed, the amount is consistent and escalates depending upon lines bet. The other bonus round is arguably the most frustrating bonus out there; you get threes ufo's aligned in pay order left to right and then get to the screen where about 10 ufo's appear. Next, you select a ship and get a decent credit amount. You continue until you hit the collect symbol. I can't tell you how many times you will crap out on the first pick, it is so frustrating! Then to rub salt in the wound, they give you a cheap consolation prize of about 2 credits for the other ships. The only reason I still play this machine on occasion is that they can be found in Trump Marina at 95% payback in nickels and at Bally's in 97% payback in quarters. On these two machines you will get some wins and more often have some fun with a decent lenght of playing time for your dollar.