Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action: A Hollywood Casino Bangor Podcast

Hollywood Casino is proud to hold one of the finest hotels in all of Bangor, strictly A-list in comfort, amenities, and atmosphere. This is all thanks to Dwayne Barber and his tireless hospitality team— And on his second episode of Lights, Slots, Action, he talks with Marc and Alton about the view of the Penobscot, the wonderful food, the excellent atmosphere, and everything else that Hollywood has to offer!

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. Location, Location, Location — Hollywood Casino Hotel is located right on the banks of the Penobscot River, giving every guest a breathtaking view of the waterfront like no other. All amenities of the hotel are inside, sheltered from any inclement weather of the later months, so a wintery stay will always be warm and cozy.
2. Family Rooms — As opposed to the game floor, the hotel is open for all ages. And thanks to the building's clever layout, you can access the entertainment and the amenities while keeping entirely separate from the casino area.
3. Hospitali-team — 152 rooms cannot fall on the shoulders of just one man. Dwayne takes some time to shout out other members of his team, like Steven (the Hotel Manager) and Carla (the Housekeeping Manager).

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

A game is only as good as its rules, and no community can exist without compliance. On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton talk with Melissa McRae, Hollywood Casino Bangor's Compliance Manager, to talk about the important business of rules and regulations: the ones set by the state, the ones set by the business, and the ones set by individuals, too.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. The State of Casino Fun — You might have dreams of getting complimentary drinks as a high roller, but liquor laws in the State of Maine don't allow that. The casino has to follow the rules of the state, first and foremost.
2. Party Inside Of Bounds — One casino is not the same as another: factors like local, federal, and individual restrictions mean that a subject-matter expert like Melissa is a requirement for the casino to operate within rules.
3. Quick Turnarounds — When the guidance from the state comes down, it is up to Melissa and her team to ensure that the gaming floor remains compliant. This can lead to large changes in procedure from year-to-year, processes all spearheaded by the compliance team.

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

There's nothing like the sound of hooves hitting dirt, the smell of fresh grass in the air, or the sight of the chariots speeding across the crown of Queen City. It's the Hollywood Casino Raceway, a major touchstone in the history of Bangor for over a century, and a source of fun and excitement for generations! On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton talk with Tommy Smith, racing manager at Hollywood Casino, and run the course on the most important track in Bangor.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. Hold Your Horses — Tommy shares how Hollywood Raceway specializes in Harness Racing, which has the jockey riding on a chariot, called a "selkie", behind the horse itself.
2. Year-Round Racing — You might not believe it, but the fun happens all year round at the raceway, with simulcast races from all around the world being shown there! In the warmer months, live races are held.
3. Two Centuries of Fun — The raceway has been an institution in Bangor for around 200 years, and for the last century has been the pride of Hollywood Casino. It's an honor to be a part of something so important to so many people and for so long!

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

There's big business, and then there's big business. On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton discuss the ins and outs of Hollywood Casino... literally! Managing one hundred and thirty-seven thousand square feet of game floor and hotel is a little more than a handful, but luckily, there's a dedicated and capable team behind the scenes who are there to keep this big business up and running.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Big Idea — Hollywood Casino is a big building, with its expansive game floor and gigantic hotel accommodations. Some parts of the building are always open over the course of 24 hours.
2. Climate Control — The Maine climate is a wild beast that can range from subzero temperatures to a boiling 100 degrees. Hollywood Casino, as a building, requires extensive care and upkeep to adapt to the ever-changing weather outside!
3. Unlimited (Or Quite Plentiful) Power — If Hollywood ever loses power, you'd never tell: with a generator and many backup power supplies for the floor, these lights will never die!

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

Numbers are fun when you do them right: the floor's jackpots and winning streaks only happen because of the house's expenditures and spreadsheets. On this episode of Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton bring along Hollywood Casino's Planning and Analysis Manager, Jacob Henry, to talk about boards- both the betting and business kind! 3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Holmes of Hollywood — Jacob walks through the process in which a project is deemed right to undertake: by looking at the spend, the projected profit, and the overall reception it might get from the guests, Jacob is able to tell what the right decision is for Hollywood Casino.
2. The Poirot of Proposals — If a proposal for an event is slung his way, Jacob is the one to analyze the forecasted costs and profits. He has to deal with some kooky Marketing Directors along the way, though...
3. The Columbo of Economy — As the financial state of the world around Hollywood changes, so too must Hollywood change: the one who has his hands on the wheel is Jacob, and he talks about the tactics he uses to help the casino weather any storm.

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

It's the funniest thing...! At Hollywood Casino Bangor, the jokers aren't just cards on the table, but cards on the stage as well. On this episode, Marc and Alton (wise guys in their own right) talk with Adam Hatch, one of Hollywood Casino's resident comics, and talk about stage fright, the different styles of comedy, and where Maine fits in a funny, funny world.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Winding Road — Adam had a long and storied pathway from where he started (at 15 years old) to where he is now (still looks 15).

2. Big Winners and High Rollers — Adam talks about his idols and inspirations in the world of comedy: the ones who've lasted, the ones who lost, and the ones who laughed last.

3. How the Magic is Made — It's a common question any comedian has to wrestle with: where do you come up with your material? Luckily, Adam is here to give his answer, and it might not be what you think!

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

It takes a lot of people to run a casino, from the dealers to the chefs, to the managers and the custodians. If even one of these positions couldn't function, the whole casino would be at a standstill. Joined by Kim Jenkins, Director of Human Resources at Hollywood Casino, Alton and Marc talk about the people who keep the wheels spinning, keep the dice rolling, and keep Hollywood alive.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. The Hiring Process — Kim walks us through the interviewing and hiring process of Hollywood Casino Bangor, and gives us a good look at what a potential employee might get.

2. The Highest Tier — Kim reveals what her favorite position to hire for is, and her answer might not be what you expect!

3. Performance Review — Looking at every position and every person, Kim has to pick the best of the best out, from roles behind the scenes to positions in the middle of the game floor. There's never a dull moment and no day is the same at Hollywood Casino Bangor!

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

Hollywood Casino Bangor sits proudly on the waterfront, overlooking the sprawling inner city area. Just as much as Hollywood Casino has made downtown Bangor better, downtown has made Hollywood Casino what it is today. Joined by Betsy Lundy from Downtown Bangor Partnership, Alton and Marc dig into the core of Bangor and talk about what it is that makes the Queen City truly rule.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. Remarkable and Historic — Downtown Bangor is a beautiful blend of charming history and surprisingly suave culture. With restaurants, entertainment, and museums, the area has so much to give.

2. Authentic Experiences — When people come to Maine, whether it's to Acadia or Katahdin, Portland or Bangor, they come for authenticity. Places like Hollywood Casino and many others live and die by their authentic natures.

3. The Center of Everything — Downtown Bangor is an arts and culture hub, with beauties you can see, smell, touch, and even eat! Bangor has something for every patron, at every scale.

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

You can play cards, you can have a slot machine, you can even have a table for craps, but no casino is complete without the black-and-red wonder of the Roulette wheel. On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton bring along Danny Dickison, Casino Operations Manager at Hollywood, to walk through the ins and outs of the Roulette game, and you'll be on a roll in no time!

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. Pick Up Quick – One of the major appeals of Roulette is how easy it is: it's a game of pure chance and lightning quick! It's perhaps the least intimidating casino game of all.
2. An Evolving Game – You don't just have to pick red or black- betting on even or odd, specific numbers, or even on double zeros gives this simple game infinite possibilities
3. The Social Spin – Casino games are a great excuse to get to know people, and of all these games, perhaps the greatest to meet new people at is Roulette: nobody directly competes, everyone cheers each other on, and you're all standing shoulder to shoulder around a table, all focused on the same thing.

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

The heart and soul of Hollywood Casino is found in the people who make up the staff. The individuals who get stuff done around the building owe a lot to their team leaders, and those team leaders owe a lot to those who taught them how to lead. On this episode, Alton and Marc talk about the art of developing talent, and talent which is the art of development.

🔑 3 Key Takeaways:

1. Clear Communication — It's not a cliche, it's a certainty: having clear communication between you and your team leaders, knowing what problems they need to solve and knowing what resources they need to do so is paramount to a healthy business.

2. A Roadmap is Required — You don't go hiking without a map, so why would you do business without one? A roadmap and clearly defined goals are an absolute must if you want your business to get where its going, and not get lost.

3. Culture Is Key — The cornerstone to any business, big or small, is the culture both on the floor and in the break room. By fostering a good culture between you and your peers, you can ensure the environment is right to thrive in!

This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/