Due For A Win

On episode 102 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig discuss all the news that has happened in the past month while we’ve been doing mostly news-less episodes. First, we check in on AC in 2002 and 1902, including this article written by Dr. David G. Schwartz. Then we get into more current news.

So. Much. News.

• Eldorado Resorts acquiring Caesars Entertainment in $8.6 billion deal.
• New York Post says that could doom Bally’s.
• Booze on the Boardwalk probably won’t be legal before the end of the summer.
• Ocean has begun expiring comp dollars on a rotating basis from date earned. (Due For A Win Facebook group link.)
• The HQ2 pool at Ocean is now the Boardwalk Pool during the day, free for hotel guests and $20 for non-guests.
• The former Cereal Town location at Ocean is now Lobby Brew coffee shop.
• Borgata’s Moneyline Bar & Book opening June 29th with autograph signings. Check out The Press of Atlantic City’s photo tour.
• Hayday Coffee on Tennessee Avenue is closing June 30th.
• Iron Room is moving to Tennessee Avenue July 1st.
• Seems like Miss America is staying in Atlantic City, but changing dates and locations.
• The May gambling revenue is more of the same.

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: [ 0:42:41 | 20.5 MB | download here ]

On episode 101 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig detail all the eating, drinking, and gambling they did on their most recent trip to AC.

Rooms:

• Tropicana North Tower
• Bally’s Dennis Tower
• Hard Rock South Tower

Food & Drink:

• Casa Taco & Tequila Bar at Tropicana
• Pic-A-Lilli Pub
• Tennessee Avenue Beer Hall
• KWI at Caesars
• Hard Rock Center Bar
• Gilchrist at Tropicana

Gambling:

• Low limits everywhere.
• Good dealers at Hard Rock but bad drink service in the Asian Room.
• Craps goes poorly.
• Craig’s weird video poker habit.

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: [ 0:50:48 | 24.4 MB | download here ]

On Episode ONE HUNDRED of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig talk about what it’s like to have been doing this for ONE HUNDRED episodes, what Atlantic City was like ONE HUNDRED episodes ago, and what we think might be different ONE HUNDRED episodes from now. All of this is contemplated as a series of low-stakes wagers, because it’s a gambling podcast (kind of).

Also, we have a trip coming up! We’ll be taking a 100th-episode victory lap in Atlantic City on Friday, June 14th, if anyone wants to come congratulate us on the momentous achievement of showing up and recording 100 times over the course of three and a half years — 101 if you count the episode we had to re-record because Kyle’s computer ate the initial recording. We’ll try to tweet where we’re at regularly, but feel free to send us a message on Twitter @DueForAWin or email us at [email protected] if you’re in town.

Like the podcast? Think there’s something we should discuss? Let us know in the comments, reach out to us the ways mentioned above, or post it in our Facebook group.

Episode info: [ 1:11:57 | 34.5 MB | download here ]

On episode 99 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig discuss a potential upcoming AC trip, read from this amazing 1899 newspaper coverage of the city’s happenings, then get into the news:

• Cereal Town at Ocean has closed and Craig is sad.
• Crafty Crab at Bally’s closed at some point and no one seemed to notice.
• The Boardwalk-adjacent expansion of the Landshark Bar at Resorts opened.
• Ocean is getting a wine and liquor store. (Everything AC Casinos Facebook group link.)
• The Atlantic City Air Show is getting an extra $100K from the CRDA; adding an opening night.
• Showboat and Playground owner Bart Blatstein went on Morano in the Morning on New York’s AM 970 and provided a timetable for opening a casino at Showboat. (Audio link.)
• MGM Resorts and Boraie Development announced plans for a 200-unit luxury condo development next to Golden Nugget.
• The April gambling 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: [ 0:41:47 | 20.1 MB | download here ]

On episode 98 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig try to figure out viable dates for their next trip, then discuss all kinds of news:

• City-wide casino profits were down 15% in 2018.
• AND Caesars Entertainment posted a $42 million loss in the first quarter of 2019.
• BUT they’re building a giant sports book at Wild Wild West.
• AND Ocean says they’ll be profitable in May.
• A report from the state recommends capping the number or total capacity of casinos in AC.
• The welcome center on the AC Expressway closed permanently.
• The Royal Jelly burlesque club at Ocean closed, to be replaced by a 1920s-themed lounge opening by Memorial Day.
• There are no more $20 minimums in Pai Gow poker or tiles at Hard Rock.

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: [ 0:46:46 | 22.5 MB | download here ]

On episode 97 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig discuss lots of news. So, so much news:

• NJ Transit rail service between Philadelphia and AC resuming May 12th.
• The state legislature is working to legalize open containers on the Boardwalk.
• Al’s Arcade has opened in the otherwise empty retail space next to Boardwalk Hall.
• Formica Bros. Bakery filed for bankruptcy but will remain open.
• Bruce Deifik, former Ocean owner, died in a single-car accident in Colorado on April 7th.
• Ocean Resort Casino is now Ocean Casino Resort and has a new logo.
• Tony Rodio, formerly of Tropicana, has been named CEO of Caesars Entertainment.
• The March gambling revenue 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: [ 0:46:01 | 22.1 MB | download here ]

On episode 96 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz podcast, Kyle and Craig discuss Craig’s (now confirmed) Vegas trip dates, then get into the news. Note: we recorded before the news broke that former Ocean owner Bruce Deifik died in a single-car accident in Colorado.

• Carl Icahn has increased his stake in Caesars Entertainment to over 20% in his effort to push a sale, and the names of rumored possible buyers are familiar to Atlantic City: Golden Nugget owner Tilman Fertitta and Tropicana owner Eldorado Resorts.
• The Blackjacks announced the schedule and ticket prices for their inaugural season in the Arena Football League.
• Bart Blatstein says “we’re killing it with events” at the Showboat. Also, Starcade has closed.

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: [ 0:44:39 | 21.4 MB | download here ]

On episode 95 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig discuss the news, then get into hypotheticals. It’s been a little over two years since Hard Rock International announced that it had purchased the Taj Mahal, and almost 9 months since the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino opened after pumping $500 million into the property. Given what we know now, would Hard Rock have been better off buying Revel (now Ocean)?

News:

• Gamblepalooza is coming April 13-14; the Third Annual Everything AC Casinos Meet has been scheduled for August 17.
• Greyhound is scrapping open returns in favor of scheduled, reserved seats on all trips to and from Atlantic City, starting April 1.
• Showboat owner Bart Blatstein has begun the process to get a gambling license and wants to build a casino next to Showboat.

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: [ 0:47:36 | 22.9 MB | download here ]

On episode 94 of the Atlantic Club sale rumor podcast, Kyle and Craig take a look back at the Hollywood Casino that never was, talk about the best use of listener donations, and then get into the news:

• The sale of the Atlantic Club fell through again and we are shocked.
• Tropicana’s sports book is open next to Chickie’s & Pete’s.
• Kids arcade/play area Goldfish From Pluto seems to not be happening at Ocean.
• The Arena League football team will be the Blackjacks. Saved you a click.
• The February gambling revenue is in and it’s not bad.
• See also: The partnership with DraftKings seems to be working out well for Resorts.

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: [ 0:33:57 | 16.3 MB | download here ]

On Episode 93 of the Atlantic City and Casino Biz Podcast, Kyle and Craig debate the value of Caesars Rewards tier credits before getting into the news.

• New Jersey Transit announced a reopening date for the line from Philadelphia to AC.
• Ocean’s new overseer says they have enough cash on hand and things are looking up.
• Carl Icahn has secured seats on the Caesars Entertainment board and is pitching former Tropicana president Tony Rodio as a potential CEO candidate.
• A “notice of settlement” has been filed for a sale of the former Atlantic Club, but current owner TJM Properties says there’s no agreement in place.
• A new pizza place is planned for Tennessee Avenue as part of the Orange Loop.

Episode info: [ 0:40:43 | 19.5 MB | download here ]

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].