Mr. AC Casino

About Mr. AC Casino

Mr. AC Casino is a column that appears every other week in the The Press of Atlantic City’s Atlantic City Weekly. The Atlantic City Weekly is a tabloid newspaper available free of charge in casinos and on the Boardwalk. The column also appears online. Note: Any opinions expressed on this page are the author’s and not those of The Press of Atlantic City or the Atlantic City Weekly.
Last updated: Friday, Aug. 13, 4:00 a.m., Eastern
Additional information about Atlantic City and the Jersey Shore is available at: Atlantic City Blog (Caesars Entertainment) NJGamblingSites.com PlayNJ.com DueForAWin.com Everything AC

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AC casinos introduce new dining, drinking options

Lots of new dining and drinking options have opened – or are soon to open – at Atlantic City’s casinos. Bally’s Atlantic City Bally’s has opened its Beach Bar for the summer. The new and improved version features a new Beach Barbecue serving chicken, burgers, hot dogs, sausage and more. Also, all-night live music with local bands and a DJ. On Bally’s sixth-floor dining level, the former Arturo’s has been replaced by the fourth location of Jerry Longo’s Meatballs & Martinis, a brand that originated in Providence, R. I. (Another branch of the venue is at Dover Downs Hotel & Casino in Delaware, also owned by Bally’s.) In addition, a new branch of Water Dog, a local favorite from Ventnor, N.J., known for its combination of breakfast fare, barbecue, smoked fish and deli fare, has replaced Buca di Beppo. On the Boardwalk level Bally’s is in negotiations with a new tenant that will transform the former Pickle’s Deli into an Asian restaurant and an Asian bakery called the Bubble Tea Bakery in the walkway over to the Claridge. That same tenant also will be responsible for the noodle bar. These individual restaurants will be joined by a couple of new dining concepts. The recently opened “Dining on the Sixth” uses the large open lobby space on the sixth floor to create a community dining area, complete with a piano player, in which customers can order from any one of the sixth-floor restaurants, including Guy Fieri’s Chop House and Jerry Longo’s Meatballs & Martinis. Another new dining feature will transform the current player’s lounge, with its direct ocean views, into a “butler’s suite” in which premium players can receive special service from any restaurant in the building. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa American Bar & Grille has opened in the space formerly occupied by Wolfgang Puck American Grill. The contemporary grill concept offers a sophisticated, yet casual, dining experience focusing on seasonal ingredients and globally influenced flavors. It’s located off the north end of the casino floor, and open from 5 to 10 p.m. Sunday through Tuesday, and 5 to 11 p.m. Friday and Saturday. Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina The Chairman’s Club is now open seven days a week: Monday through Thursday, 1 to 8 p.m., Friday, 1 to 11 p.m., Saturdays, noon to 11 p.m.; and Sundays, noon to 8 p.m.In addition, food service is now available at The Deck from 4 to 9 p.m. Fridays, noon to 9 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. Sundays. Hard Rock Atlantic City Look for a new Starbucks featuring Boardwalk access. It’s open from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. Sunday through Thursday, and 6 a.m. to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Kuro, Hard Rock’s Japanese Fusion concept, continues its Friday happy hour featuring Zensai, tempura, robata, hand rolls, sake, beer, wine and cocktails. Check out Island Time Thursdays at the Beach Bar, featuring $14 perfect margaritas (Patron, Cointreau, lime, sweet & sour). Ocean Casino Resort A new 24-hour coffee destination has opened on the Lobby Level adjacent to the Lobby Bar. Cafféccino offers a variety of beverage and dining options, including coffee, latte, cappuccino, pastries, savory specialties and more. Harrah’s Resort The Pool After Dark now offers Vibe Dining, a new dining and nightlife experience. The all-new Baywalk, featuring signature cocktails, live music, games, bay views and more also opened last month, along with Rum Point Crab House on the dining level in the space formerly home to Veracruz. Resorts Casino Hotel Dougherty’s Steakhouse & Raw Bar has opened in the location formerly occupied by Gallagher’s Steak House. A partnership with the Dougherty family – a staple in Atlantic City’s restaurant industry for more than 120 years – this new dining concept features a classic steakhouse, raw bar and live entertainment. The Dougherty family also are owners and operators of Dock’s Oyster House and The Knife & Fork Inn. Spa-ah-ah treatments Work off all that food and drink in the new Spa at Harrah’s Resort. The spa features 23 treatment rooms, including a deluxe couples suite, complete with in-room Jacuzzi and fireplace, and an all-encompassing menu of customized spa and salon services which include skincare, massage and body treatments, as well as nail care, make-up and hair design. Amenities include individual flat-screen televisions at the manicure stations and pedicure chairs, both an in-spa retail and makeup department, a hair styling area, and separate female and male “wet zones” complete with steam room, sauna and Jacuzzi pool surrounding a fireplace. Guests also can relax poolside located directly across from the spa where the temperature is 82 degrees all year long. For appointments, call 609-441-5333. That’s entertainment! If concerts and comedians are more your thing, a number of big-name acts are due to play Atlantic City this summer and fall – some of which were rescheduled from last year when the pandemic forced the casinos to close for 3½ months. Boardwalk Hall - Michael Bublé, Saturday, Aug. 28. Caesars Atlantic City - The Motown Years revue is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 25. R&B Legend Patti LaBelle, as well as Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, are coming to the Circus Maximus Theater on Saturdays, Sept. 18 and 25, respectively. Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa - Wayne Brady, Saturday, Sept. 25. Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Kiss (Saturday, Aug. 21), Toby Keith (Sunday, Sept. 5), Guns N’ Roses (Saturday and Sunday, Sept. 11 and 12), Gladys Knight (Friday, Sept. 17), and Pitbull (Friday, Oct. 29). Harrah’s Resort - Blood, Sweat & Tears will perform on Saturday, Oct. 16. For some laughs, join Gary Owen on Saturday, Sept. 11, followed by Carlos Mencia on Friday, Sept. 24. All performances will take place in the Concert Venue. Ocean Casino Resort - Morris Day and The Time, Saturday, Aug. 14, Melissa Etheridge, Saturday, Sept. 4, Three Dog Night, Friday, Sept. 10, Alice Cooper, Friday, Sept. 17, and The Beach Boys, Saturday, Sept. 25. Tropicana Atlantic City - Vanessa Williams and Styx will be performing on Saturday, Aug. 21, and Friday, Oct. 1, respectively. Finally, catch Phish on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 13 to 15, as part of the summer Beachfest Concert series.
New New York-Atlantic City bus service
OurBus, a new intercity bus service, now offers departures four times a day connecting New York City with Galloway, N.J., and three casinos – Resorts Casino Hotel, Caesars Atlantic City and Tropicana Atlantic City. A fourth casino will be announced shortly. Part of a new regional transportation network, OurBus brings together many of the existing independently owned and operated bus lines into a cohesive network. Founded in 2016, OurBus has developed a network of intercity and commuter bus services that connect more than 100 cities and towns across the United States. ■ Travelers can search schedules and buy tickets at OurBus.com or use the OurBus app. ■ OurBus service will drop off and pick up passengers directly at the casinos (with casino bonuses). ■ Customers can change or cancel their tickets up to 30 minutes prior to departure with no fee. ■ Seats are reserved, guaranteeing that no one will be left at the gate due to overcrowding. ■ Pricing is based on demand – if you book earlier, you’ll get a lower fare.
OurBus also offers service for South Jersey residents going to New York with a stop at the Atlantic City Service Area in Galloway.
That’s entertainment! - Part 2 The Rat Pack: Back in Town is back in town at Hard Rock at 4 p.m. every Sunday. This weekly celebration of the Rat Pack will feature such classic hits from Frank, Sammy and Dean as “Fly Me to the Moon,” “Mr. Bojangles,” “That’s Amore,” “I've Gotta Be Me,” “Ain’t That a Kick in the Head,” “Luck be a Lady” and many more. Tickets are $29 and $24 and are sold as individual tables of two and four seats to ensure social distancing. Tickets are available at HardRockHotelAtlanticCity.com or Ticketmaster.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
In the meantime, live music continues in the Lobby Bar featuring local favorites seven days a week and at Council Oak Steaks & Seafood on Fridays and Saturdays from 5:30 to 11 p.m. Look! Up in the sky! Tropicana’s Free Summer Fireworks Series continues every Saturday through Sept. 4. For a different type of entertainment in the sky, don’t miss the annual Atlantic City Airshow, Wednesday, Aug. 18. Tickets are on sale now for roof-top viewing of the show at The Claridge Hotel. Tickets are $75 and $37.50 for those 10 and younger. Turning the tables Guests now can participate in exciting giveaways and more in a new, state-of-the-art electronic table games area at Resorts Casino Hotel. Guests can access 19 Wiki betting terminals and simultaneously play Big Wheel, roulette, blackjack, baccarat, craps and Sic Bo. The new electronic gaming area is adjacent to the 5 o’Clock Somewhere Bar. Trading places A Philadelphia-based sports betting platform has launched Sporttrade.com. Established in 2019, Sporttrade utilizes exchange technology and processes, and then applies them to sports betting. Sporttrade.com provides visitors an opportunity to receive launch notifications, access unique platform features such as “always on” in-play trading, the ability to trade in and out of bets at any time, and provide FAQs to help members join and educate themselves.For more information visit GetSportTrade.com. Pooling resources The North Tower Outdoor Pool and Cabana Five Bar and Pool Deck at Tropicana have reopened for the season. Borgata’s Outdoor Pool is now open to hotel guests only. Lounge chairs are available on a first come, first served basis. Borgata reopens buffetThe Borgata Buffet has reopened. Click here for current operating hours. On the air Check out my radio interview with Frank Morano. Click here. Belly up to the beach bars Bally’s Beach Bar is now open. Visit Bally’s website to view menus, music lineups and all other Beach Bar information. HQ2 Beachclub at Ocean Casino Resort also is back. Reservations are required. Call 609.783.8001 or visit HQ2AC.com. Leave the parking to them Valet parking has returned to Resorts Casino Hotel. This has a nice ring to itPhiladelphia’s Hard Hitting Promotions has announced a 12-fight boxing series at Showboat Atlantic City. The series, dubbed Boardwalk Boxing, continues on Saturday, Aug. 28. The matches will be held either upstairs in the Bourbon Room – the former House of Blues – or in the Carousel Room.

‘Insider’ tips on what’s happening in July

Here are other “insider” tips about what’s happening in Atlantic City during June: Borgata Hotel Casino & SpaPromotionsPresent a valid player loyalty program card from any of more than 25 qualifying casinos at any M life Rewards desk and trade up to an equivalent M life Rewards tier.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic CityPromotionsHard Rock continues its Wild Card Rewards tier match program until further notice. Details here.
All Rock Royalty and X Card cardholders can convert comp dollars to Free Play at a 2:1 ratio once per day. Hard Rock will automatically award $20 in Free Play or Express Bet, plus a complimentary car wash at Rocktane Gas & Wash to all new Wild Card Rewards cardholders.
Entertainment and EventsThe Lobby Bar offers free live entertainment plus drink specials every Saturday and Sunday. Ocean Casino ResortPromotionsNew and inactive Ocean Rewards Club cardholders can show their players card from an Atlantic City competitor and Ocean will match that card. Visit the Ocean Rewards Club for details. Free self-parking continues for all Ocean Rewards Club cardholders.
Entertainment and Events Ocean now offers live entertainment at 6:15 p.m. every Friday and Saturday at Villain & Saint and SkyCafe. Resorts Casino Hotel Promotions New and inactive Star cardholders can show their players card from an Atlantic City competitor and Resorts Casino Hotel will match that card. Plus, for a limited time, new Star cardholders will receive a complimentary room when Resorts matches your card. Visit the Promotions Booth for details. Premiere Star cardholders who earn two tier points during a gaming day park free in the self-park garage at Resorts. Check any promotional kiosk to confirm the points and present a valid Star card at the exit. Visit the Promotions Booth for details on all promotions.
Tropicana Atlantic CityEntertainment and EventsLive music has returned every Saturday from 5 to 9 p.m. at Tango’s Lounge.
AC Jokes comedy club performs live at Kiss Kiss Nightclub nightly at 8 p.m., except Saturdays when showtimes are 7 and 9 p.m. Shows last about 90 minutes. For more information and to purchase tickets visit www.ACJokes.com.

Leave the parking to them

Valet parking has returned to most Atlantic City casinos, albeit on a limited schedule. Bally’s Atlantic City - Bally’s now offers complimentary valet parking to its Red Card cardholders on Fridays and Saturdays. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa - Gold, Platinum and NOIR M life Rewards cardholders receive complimentary valet parking every day. Caesars Atlantic City - Complimentary valet parking for Seven Stars and Diamond cardholders is now available from 4 p.m. Fridays to 4 p.m. Sundays. After hours, call Security to retrieve your vehicle. Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina - Valet currently is open only on weekends. Chairman and Elite cardholders will continue to receive complimentary parking. Upon arrival all vehicle occupants must have a face covering and valet team members also will be wearing face coverings, as well as protective gloves at all times. Guests will be asked to lower their windows, and turn off air conditioning or heating in the vehicle. Keys are to be left in the center console cup holder. Through departure disposable steering wheel covers will be applied. Upon request, all high touch areas such as the gear shift, handles and window switches will be wiped down with a disinfectant.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City - Valet parking is complimentary for Wild Card Rewards Rock Royalty and X cardholders. For all others, it’s $25 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and $20 during the week. Harrah’s Resort - Complimentary valet parking for Seven Stars and Diamond cardholders is now available from 1 p.m. Fridays to 2 p.m. Mondays. After hours, call Security to retrieve your vehicle. Ocean Casino Resort - Chairman, Black and Platinum Ocean Rewards Club cardholders receive free valet parking every day. All others pay $15 Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays, and $10 Monday to Thursday. Resorts Casino Hotel - Valet parking has resumed for all Caesars Rewards cardholders. Tropicana Atlantic City - Tropicana Diamond and Seven Stars cardholders receive complimentary valet parking in the hotel’s South Tower garage, or complimentary self-parking in any garage, when they present their Caesars Rewards card to the cashier in valet parking or when exiting any self-park garage. In addition, Caesars Rewards Gold Card cardholders who earn 10 Tier Credits will receive complimentary self-parking in Tropicana’s Havana Tower garage. Visit any Promotional Kiosk for a voucher. Platinum Card cardholders receive complimentary self-parking in the Havana Tower garage when they present their Caesars Rewards card when exiting.Available only to Caesars Rewards Seven Stars and Diamond cardholders, valet parking is complimentary in the South Tower.

Lounging around: Your guide to Atlantic City players lounges

Bally’s - The VIP Lounge is located on the sixth floor restaurant level and is open to Red and Black cardholders.
Borgata – The Amphora Lounge has returned to its original location. The Society Club is located just off the casino floor. Turn left as you enter the casino from the self-park garage.
Caesars - The Seven Stars Lounge is located next to Nero’s on the dining level above the second floor casino. Take the circular elevator or the steps near the Laurel Lounge. The Laurel Lounge is located on the second floor of the casino near the Circus Maximus showroom.
Harrah’s joins Caesars in imposing a 90-minute limit at their Seven Stars Lounges. There is a 60-minute limit at Tropicana’s Laurel Lounge. [Note, Harrah’s, I wrote Seven Stars Lounge, not Club.]
Golden Nugget – The Chairman’s Club on the fourth floor of is now open seven days a week.
Hard Rock – The Plum Lounge is located off the main casino floor. Admission is complimentary for X Cardholders and one guest. Legends Lounge is located on the second level overlooking the atrium. Admission is complimentary for X Cardholders; 10 comp dollars each for Rock Royalty cardholders and one guest. Harrah’s – The Laurel Lounge and Seven Stars Lounges are now located in the former Waterfront Buffet. Seven Stars cardholders should use the line to the far left.
Ocean Casino Resort – The players lounges offer cocktails and other beverages, as well as full-service dining for Ocean Rewards cardholders and up to one guest. Luna's is open exclusively to Chairman Ocean Rewards Club cardholders at no charge; the Avila Lounge -- located adjacent to Ovation Hall on the Meeting Level -- is open to all Chairman Preferred, Prime and Reserve Ocean Rewards Club cardholders. There is no charge for Chairman and Reserve cardholders and up to one guest, a 10 comp dollar per person charge for Prime cardholders and up to one guest, and a 15 comp dollar per person charge for Preferred cardholders and up to one guest.
Resorts – The VIP Lounge is located on the second level of the Premium Slot area (“Hollywood Hills”) and is limited to Red Carpet, Paramount Plus and Paramount cardholders. Admission for Epic cardholders is limited to Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays (1 to 8 p.m.) and Sundays (noon to 8 p.m.). The charge for Epic cardholders is 15 comp dollars per person for the cardholder and up to one guest.
Tropicana – The Laurel Lounge (the former TROP Advantage VIP Lounge) is located on the left just as you enter the casino from The Quarter. Visits are limited to 60 minutes and restricted to Caesars Rewards Seven Stars, Diamond Elite, Diamond Plus and Diamond cardholders, and TROP Advantage Black and Platinum cardholders.
Casinos extend 2020 tier level benefits, comp expirations
Caesars Rewards - Instead of expiring Sunday, Jan. 31, 2021, Caesars Rewards 2020 tier status will be extended through Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. M life Rewards (Borgata) - MGM Resorts International has announced more updates to its M life® Rewards program in light of the coronavirus pandemic. Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is a participant in M life. M life Rewards tier status – whether NOIR, Platinum, Gold or Pearl – earned in 2019 or in 2020, will be extended through Monday, Jan. 31, 2022. With this extension, MGM also is changing its earning year to Jan. 1 through Dec. 31 from what's historically been Oct. 1 to Sept. 30, extending benefits an additional three months and moving to an easier to understand and track calendar earning year. Required credits to earn or maintain these levels will return to their normal levels of 25,000 for Pearl, 75,000 for Gold and 200,000 for Platinum for the earning year beginning Friday, Jan. 1, 2021. Borgata also is extending the expiration dates for M life Rewards Points and Express Comps until March 31. In addition, MGM will continue to evaluate this policy over the coming months. According to an email from CEO and President Bill Hornbuckle, “We recognize that current events make it difficult, if not impossible, for so many to travel and we don’t want you to have ongoing concerns around your ability to enjoy rewards you have earned over time.”
Wild Card Rewards - Hard Rock has changed its earning period to a calendar year – Jan. 1 to Dec. 31. While players begin earning toward their 2022 status on Friday, Jan. 1, 2021, they will keep their current status through Sunday, Feb. 28, 2021. Tier benefits for status earned through Thursday, Dec. 31, 2020, will become available Monday, March 1, 2021. Beginning Jan. 1, 2021, there will be changes to tier earning thresholds allowing players to accumulate tier points 20 times faster. To earn Rock Royalty and Elite status, players must earn 4,000 and 15,000 tier points, respectively – up from 750 and 250 points. “Rest assured that we have made it easier for you to advance through our tiers, even though the tier point requirements have increased,” according to an email players received. Also, beginning on March 1, Hard Rock will be partnering with its Seminole Hard Rock properties in Florida to offer new benefits for X Card and Rock Royalty cardholders. Resort fees for all hotel stays will be waived for Rock Royalty and X Card Wild Card Rewards cardholders. Ocean Rewards - Ocean is changing its earning periods to Jan. 1 to June 30 and July 1 to Dec. 31 from what historically has been Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Account information is available to view via the Player Portal located at https://www.theoceanac.com/rewardslogin/. Star Card (Resorts Casino Hotel) - Resorts Casino Hotel’s Epic Star cardholders now need to earn only three tier points to receive cashback. Previously they had to earn 10. Cashback is available 72 hours after a trip and can be used in $5 increments.

Cruise news you can use

CDC loosens mask-wearing requirements In a major win for cruise fans, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention updated its Conditional Sailing Order on May 12 to loosen mask-wearing requirements for fully vaccinated cruise passengers. The update also allows vaccinated cruise passengers to explore independently on shore at ports of call. In the updated rules for the resumption of cruises, the CDC says cruise ship operators “at their discretion, may advise passengers and crew that – if they are fully vaccinated – they may gather or conduct activities outdoors, including engaging in extended meal service or beverage consumption, without wearing a mask except in crowded settings.” The CDC further says cruise lines may allow fully vaccinated passengers to explore ports on their own. The agency says those who are vaccinated “may engage in self-guided or independent exploration during port stops, if they wear a mask while indoors.”
NCLH plans phased return to cruisingNorwegian Cruise Line Holdings (NCLH) plans a phased return to cruising. The cruise company unveiled a “two-pronged plan” with cruise resumption outside the United States from Jamaica, Dominican Republic, and Greece starting in July. NCLH will offer weeklong cruises from Greece, Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.Separately, NCLH has submitted a proposal to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) with a plan for cruise resumption from U.S. ports starting Sunday, July 4. As part of NCLH’s SailSAFE health and safety program, the company said that all initial voyages will operate only with fully-vaccinated guests and crew, and will include COVID-19 testing for all before embarkation.
Latest podcasts and interviews are now available online.
April 1 ZorkCast podcast with Dave Grossman from Miles Talk, hosted by Michael Trager of TravelZork and Marc Meltz of EDGeVegas.com is available online. Click on image above or here.
March 2020 interview with Craig Shacklett, CEO, URComped, is available online. Click on image above or here.
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Sample Spreadsheet

Keep track of your slot dollars (cashback), comp dollars and tier credits using this simple spreadsheet. Click on the graphic to download an Excel spreadsheet which you can personalize.

Current casino ATM fees

Bally’s - $5.99Borgata - $5.99*Caesars - $5.99Golden Nugget - $6.99Hard Rock - $5.99Harrah’s - $5.99 Ocean Casino - $6.95Resorts - $5.99Tropicana - $5.99
*no charge for Wells Fargo customers

Darryl D. McEwen

Mr. AC Casino

In addition to writing the bi-wwekly column, Mr. AC Casino, for the Atlantic City Weekly, recreational gambler Darryl D. McEwen is publisher of the Seven Stars Insider – both the website (SevenStarsInsider.com) and the monthly newsletter. For a free subscription to the newsletter, email him at SevenStarsInsider@gmail.com and tell him how you heard about it. You also can download the newsletter from the website where he frequently updates news about Caesars Entertainment Corp., Eldorado Resorts Inc. and Caesars Rewards under “Latest News” on the Home page. In addition, be sure to follow @7StarsInsider on Twitter. A former professional journalist, based in Wilmington, Del., Darryl is president of his own consulting firm that manages several small national and international trade associations, and provides public relations and fundraising services for a number of charitable organizations. Have a comment or a question specifically related to an Atlantic City casino, players club or other promotion? Email Darryl at MrACCasino@gmail.com and he’ll try to respond to you personally. Your question – without your name – may appear in a future column. Follow him on Twitter @MrACCasino.
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