Due For A Win

On episode 152 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig look back a 1952 Atlantic City pinball/bingo machine, yet another major fire, and one of the most important events in the establishment of the resort. We also reconsider our opinions about the 1951 video from last episode before getting into the news.

• The casino smoking ban was lifted on July 4th.
• Bally’s black card members get a $100 “Appreciation Dinner.”
• Dougherty’s at Resorts is offering an enticing happy hour.
• MobMovieCon & SopranosCon is coming to Harrah’s July 24th-25th.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:34:24 | 16.5 MB | download here ]

On episode 151 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at a rug store fire on the Boardwalk and a fairly uninteresting travel video from 1951, then answer some listener emails before getting into the news. We also discuss a terrible card game that we call “Kings and Little Men” but seems to actually be called Kings and Little Ones.

The news:

• The Borgata Buffet is open again; Amphora is back at its normal location.
• American Bar & Grille opened in the former Wolfgang Puck American Grille space at Borgata.
• Super American Circus is coming to Showboat in July and August. Should we go?
• Lots of live entertainment is being scheduled for this summer and beyond.
• Ocean has a new players’ club … again.
• The May revenue data is out.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:45:27 | 21.8 MB | download here ]

On episode 150 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at a record-setting Frank Sinatra concert at Steel Pier, discuss some quick news updates, then give an incredibly detailed report of their recent AC trip.

News:

• Bobby Flay Steak at Borgata will stay open through the summer.
• Are they breaking ground on the Showboat water park?
• Masking and social distancing regulations were lifted on May 28th, the plexiglass is gone, dance floors are open … smoking is still not allowed.

Reviews:

• Resorts rooms, casino, and food court
• Gambling at Hard Rock
• Bus transportation
• Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern
• Bourré
• Ducktown Tavern
• Pic-A-Lilli
• The Seed

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:58:48 | 28.2 MB | download here ]

On episode 149 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at a massive bowling event held at Boardwalk Hall, provide some updates on COVID policies and how AC is taking a different approach than Las Vegas, then firm up plans for this week’s trip.

Also, the news:

• Las Vegas casinos have basically gone masks-optional. Indoor mask mandates remain in place in New Jersey.
• Several bars and buffets that were closed during the pandemic have not reopened as of May 17th.
• The April casino revenue data is out, and Hard Rock is closing the gap to Borgata.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:46:07 | 22.1 MB | download here ]

On episode 148 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at a mildly scandalous Life Magazine cover story from 1948, correct some things from last episode, celebrate the imminent return of barside seating and buffets, kick around some ideas for an upcoming AC trip, then get into the news:

• Barside service and buffets can resume on May 7th. Capacity restrictions will be lifted on indoor dining May 19th.
• Ocean announced plans to put $15 million into updating the property.
• Caesars Entertainment announced plans to put $400 million into renovating its properties, mostly Caesars and Harrah’s.
• Rum Point Crab House is now open at Harrah’s, one of five new or updated things coming to Harrah’s this spring.
• The latest proposal for the Bader Field land is a Formula 1-style race track.
• The March revenue data is out and it seems solid.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:46:56 | 22.5 MB | download here ]

On episode 147 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at 1947 when multiple telecommunications conferences took place and major decisions were made — just don’t ask us to explain them. Then Craig provides a trip report, including reviews of:

• Hard Rock North Tower ocean view room.
• Amada at Ocean.
• Hard Rock Cafe breakfast.
• Youyu at Hard Rock.
• Landshark Bar & Grill.
• Motor City Live.
• The bar scene and general vibe in AC.

Also, some news:

• Bobby Flay Steak at Borgata is closing June 30th.
• The Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival acts have been announced.
• New Jersey’s largest arcade will open at Showboat in May.
• A new bus service is operating from New York to the AC casinos (check the link for a discount code).

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:49:46 | 23.9 MB | download here ]

On episode 146 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at 1946, when White House Sub Shop opened, The Roost was the cock o’ the walk, and a man enclosed himself in a block of ice for some reason. We also preview Craig’s upcoming AC trip, then get into the news:

• Bally’s is planning $90 million of upgrades over the next 5 years.
• The owners of Little Caesars are buying a minority share of Ocean.
• Not surprisingly, AC casino profits were way, way down in 2020.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:44:35 | 21.4 MB | download here ]

On episode 145 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at 1945, when the nefarious Professor Kilgory went on a crime spree only to be stopped by some vacationers from New York. We also talk about what we’re most excited about doing in AC after a year away.

Then we make a couple corrections from the last episode:

• Caesars bought the Playground Pier back from Bart Blatstein in February 2020 (see episode 118).
• The Heinz Pier was out from Massachusetts Ave., across the Boardwalk from where Ocean is now.

And finally, we get into the news:

• A new brewery has opened up in the same building as Little Water Distillery, and has been named 10best.com’s best new brewery in America.
• A Stewart’s Restaurant is opening soon on the Boardwalk, in the old Dunkin’ location a couple doors up from Bill’s Gyro Souvlaki.
• The new FanDuel sportsbook is open at Bally’s. You can see it along with most of the other AC sportsbooks in this video by Captain Jack Andrews shot during the NCAA Tournament.
• The February casino revenue numbers are in, and they aren’t good.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:41:37 | 20.0 MB | download here ]

On episode 144 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at 1944 when a hurricane washed away the Heinz Pier and the musical Atlantic City hit the big screen. Then we get into the news before talking about potential AC trips.

The news:

• The Army of the Dead trailer is out and it’s very obviously in Showboat.
• Phillips and Souzai at The Playground are permanently closed.
• Restaurants can go to 50% capacity starting March 19th.
• Boardwalk Hall is hosting its first events since March 2020.
• A Stockton University survey shows promising signs for Atlantic City’s recovery after COVID. (See the infographic.)

Also check out appearances by Everything AC Casinos co-founder Joe Arnashus and Seven Stars Insider publisher Darryl McEwen on The Other Side of Midnight with Frank Morano.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:41:47 | 20.1 MB | download here ]

On episode 143 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig look back at 1943 when the infant incubator exhibit (featured in Boardwalk Empire) closed, and Babette’s (heavily featured in Boardwalk Empire) was raided because of illegal gambling. Then we answer a listener question about status matching.

The big news, of course, was the implosion of the Trump Plaza’s main hotel tower and the fact that we now need a new DFAW HQ — and possibly a new podcast logo.

Other things also happened:

• Bally’s closed its casino for a couple days to move to their new rewards system.
• They also have a new website and have been removed from Caesars’ booking system.
• The January casino revenue wasn’t so good.
• NJ Governor Phil Murphy said some non-committal stuff about outdoor events this summer.

Then our divergent opinions about the season 2 finale of Boardwalk Empire threaten to tear the podcast apart.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us on Twitter, post it in our Facebook group, or email us at [email protected].

Episode info: [ 0:37:58 | 18.2 MB | download here ]