Gambling turns 40

Lots of people want to keep it a secret when they turn 40. Not Resorts Casino Hotel!

Resorts was the first casino-hotel in Atlantic City, opening at 10 a.m. on May 26, 1978. (In those days, the law prohibited the casino from being open more than 18 hours a day, and there even was a dress code!) The casino had 84 table games and 893 slot machines in a space of 33,735 square feet.

Today the casino has grown to more than 83,000 square feet, and features more than 1,500 slot machines and 70-plus table games. The site was originally occupied in 1869 by The Haddon House, a three-story wooden Quaker rooming house, rebuilt and renamed Haddon Hall in 1896. Additional renovations and expansions continued starting in the 1920s. Resorts International took over the property in 1968, making further updates and changes. Ten years later, history was made with the introduction of casino gambling in New Jersey. To mark the occasion Resorts will officially kick-off festivities at 5 p.m. May 25, with its annual Beach Ball drop.

Also celebrating their 40th anniversary, the Village People will perform in Resorts Superstar Theater at 8 p.m. May 26.

The grand finale will feature a beachfront fireworks display at 9 p.m. May 27.

Look, too, for other games and giveaways, as well as strolling Boardwalk entertainment by the Philadelphia Mummers and Resorts’ Showgirls. Between 10 a.m. and 10 p.m. May 26 in the lobby of Jimmy Buffett’s Margaritaville, guests can test their luck with a free pull on Atlantic City’s first slot machine for a chance to win up to $2,500 in slot cash.

Continuing the 40th anniversary momentum, Resorts will host “Throwback Thursdays” at Bar One starting May 31 and continuing through Aug, 30. From 5 to 9 p.m. guests can enjoy throwback-themed $4 cocktails such as a Brandy Alexander, Grasshopper, Tom Collins and HarveyWallbanger while listening to hit music from the late-1970s, checking out historical photos and playing trivia games for a chance to win prizes. In addition, guests who stop by Resorts Promotions Booth and present a ticket stub from a previous concert will be eligible to win a special anniversary prize.

For more information on the 40th anniversary celebration visit www.ResortsAC.com/40.

Martini Week

Tropicana Atlantic City’s annual Spring Fever Festival ends shaken not stirred with Martini Week May 13 to 19. Celebrate with resort-wide specials, whether you like your martini dry, dirty, on the rocks or straight-up. Enjoy food and drink specials, retail discounts, spring photo ops, nightlife events and more. For more information about Spring Fever Festival, visit Tropicana.net/SpringFever.

World premier

The Atlantic City Ballet will present the world premier of Romeo and Juliet at 4 p.m. May 6, in the Circus Maximus at Caesars Atlantic City. Atlantic City residents can purchase tickets for $12. For more information visit ACBallet.org.

Boardwalk Block Party

To celebrate Memorial Day weekend, Tropicana will host a free Boardwalk Block Party at 9 p.m. May 26. With a DJ spinning hot summer tunes, Tropicana’s Free Summer Fireworks Series, and the debut of four new Multimedia Light and Sound Shows, guests also will enjoy live entertainment from a stilt walker, magician, carnival dancers and the cast of Boogie Nights, giveaways, plus food samples from Olón, A’Dam Good Deli, A’Dam Good Sports Bar, Casa Taco & Tequila Bar, Hooters Atlantic City, and Mrs. Fields.

Looking ahead
June 1: Duel of the Decades ‘90s vs.Y2K, Harrah’s
June 2: Tedeshi Truck Band, Tropicana
June 2: Johnny Mathis, Golden Nugget
June 2: Ledisi, Borgata
June 8: Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat 63 Championship Mixed Martial Arts, Tropicana
June 8: Brian McKnight, Harrah’s
June 8: Ken Jeong, Borgata
June 9: Three Dog Night, Tropicana
June 9: The Righteous Brothers, Borgata
June 12 to 19: Tenors of Rock, Harrah’s
June 15: Train, Tropicana
June 16: Boz Scaggs, Tropicana
June 16: Matisyahu, Borgata
June 17 to 23: Seafood Week, Tropicana
June 22: Brian Setzer’s Rockabilly Riot, Tropicana
June 23: Stephen Stills and Judy Collins, Tropicana
June 23: Mike Tyson – Undisputed Truth: Round 2
June 26 – July 1, Dirty Dancing, Caesars
June 28: Steve Byrne, Hard Rock
June 29: The Orchestra, Resorts
June 29: Michael Che, Borgata

Here are other “insider” tips about what’s happening in Atlantic City’s casinos during May:

Bally’s Atlantic City

Promotions
Bally’s is giving away a Jeep Wrangler at 2 p.m. May 27. Receive one free entry daily and earn 5X entries on Wednesdays in May. Activate entries May 27 between 8 a.m. and 1:45 p.m.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Promotions
$20,000 Slot Tournaments, May 1 or 2 and May 15 or 16, 2 to 8 p.m.

$10,000 Bingo, May 14, at 10 a.m., or 1, 4 or 7 p.m. in the Event Center. Reserve online at TheBorgata.com.

Every seven minutes from noon to 7 p.m. May 17 Borgata will award 777 Bonus Slot Dollars. Players need to insert their M life Rewards card into any slot machine or open any table games rating from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a chance to win.

Every five minutes from noon to 7 p.m. May 27 and 28 Borgata will award 5,000 Bonus Slot Dollars. Players need to insert their M life Rewards card into any slot machine or open any table games rating from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a chance to win.

Details on all promotions are available at the M life Rewards Center.

Entertainment
Borgata Comedy Club (check for dates in May), AC2: Anderson Cooper & Andy Cohen (May 5), Brian Regan (May 11), Michael McDonald (May 11), Nick Swardson (May 19), ZZ Top & John Fogerty (May 25), Billy Gardell (May26), Kenny Loggins (May 27). For tickets visit TheBorgata.com or call (866) 900-4TIX (4849).

Caesars Atlantic City

Promotions
$15,000 Bingo, May 20 at 3 and 7 p.m. in the Palladium Ballroom. Call (888) 440-2497.

Caesars is giving away a Fiat Spider at 4 p.m. May 27. Receive one free entry daily and earn 5X entries on Wednesdays in May. Activate entries May 27 between 10 a.m. and 3:45 p.m.

Entertainment
Criss Angel Raw (May 4), Joe with Stokley of Mint Condition (May 11). For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Promotions
Golden Nugget Atlantic City joins its four sister casinos around the country in each giving away $30,000 in restaurant comps to 120 players at each location. The comp dollars will be accepted at more than 600 restaurants in 34 states – from Vic & Anthony’s and Chart House to Dos Caminos and Oceanaire. Through Sunday, July 8, for every 25 base tier credits players earn using their 24K Select players card, they will get one entry – five times entries every Tuesday. Accumulated entries must be activated between noon and 6:59 p.m. on July 8. From 2 to 7 p.m. in the Golden Nugget’s Main Atrium 20 winners will be selected every hour. Participants must be present to win. Visit Golden Nugget online for more information.

$10,000 Bingo Bonanza May 14 and 28 at 2 and 7 p.m. in The Grand. Free entry for all Elite and Chairman cardholders. All others must earn at least 20 tier credits that day for the player and one guest

2018 Dodge Ram Giveaway, 4 p.m. May 28, plus five players will win $1,000 in free play. Get one entry for every 25 base tier credits earned May 1 to 28. Earn 5X entries every Sunday in May, Tuesdays (May 1, 8, 15 and 22) and Friday through Monday, May 25 to 28. Activate entries between noon and 3:59 p.m. May 28. Must be present to win.

For details on all promotions visit the 24K Select Club.

Free self-parking continues.

Entertainment
Flashback Fridays, free entertainment in the Showroom at 9 p.m. (doors open at 7). Elton Rohn: Elton John Tribute (May 4), Groovin’: Bad Ass Legends of ’60s Rock Tribute (May 11).

Paul Anka (May 5). For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino (opening June 28)

Promotions
Among other prizes, Hard Rock is giving away a 2018 Tesla. All Wild Card Rewards cardholders receive one free entry when joining. Earn additional entries based on play. The drawing will be held at 11 a.m. on Sept. 1. Winners must be present to win.

Related: Everything you need to know about Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City

Harrah’s Resort

Promotions
Harrah’s is giving away a Fiat Spider at 6 p.m. May 27. Receive one free entry daily and earn 5X entries on Wednesdays in May. Activate entries May 27 between noon and 5:45 p.m.

Entertainment
Eddie B (May 12), Rainbow Six Pro League Season 7 Finals (May 19 and 20). For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 736-1420.

Resorts Casino Hotel

Promotions
2018 Jeep Wrangler Guaranteed Sweepstakes. Earn entries – one for every tier point earned – through May 28. Drawing at 4 p.m. May 28.

Bingo, 8 p.m., May 31, Ocean Ballroom. For reservations call (800) 772-9000. Registration 9 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. at the Promotions Booth. Star cardholders only. Red Carpet cardholders receive two cards. Only invited guests are eligible to win prizes.

$35,000 Jackpot Sweepstakes, June 23. Earn one entry for every taxable hand-paid jackpot through May 31.

Free self-parking continues.

Entertainment
Jimmy Mazz (May 1, 6, 8, 14, 17, 20 to 22 and 30 to 31), Giorgos Mazonakis (May 5), The Village People (May 26). For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com, the Resorts Box Office, or call (800) 745-3000.

Tropicana Atlantic City

Entertainment
Primal Men Male Revue (every Saturday at Boogie Nights), Massimo Raniere (May 12), The Whispers, The Dramatics featuring L. J. Reynolds and The Intruders (May 13), “It Was A Very Good Year” – A Musical Tribute To Frank Sinatra Starring Tony Sands (May 19), The Australian Bee Gees Show (May 26). For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com, call (800) 745-3000 or check with the Tropicana Box Office.

Another entertainment option at Tropicana is Atlantic City’s only IMAX® Theatre. Moviegoers receive a discounted parking rate of $5 to park in the enclosed Tropicana self-park garage, but first must obtain a parking voucher from the IMAX Box Office at the time of ticket purchase.

“Pandas 3D” runs through June 30, “Avengers: Infinity War: An IMAX 3D Experience” runs through May 17, “Deadpool 2: The IMAX Experience” runs May 17 to 24, “Solo: A Star Wars Story: An IMAX 3D Experience” and “Solo: A Star Wars Story: The IMAX Experience” run May 24 through June 14. For show times and tickets, visit Tropicana online. Tickets can be purchased at the IMAX Box Office, through Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

Looking Ahead

June 29: Carrie Underwood, Hard Rock
June 30: Pitbull, Hard Rock

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Recreational gambler Darryl D. McEwen is publisher of the Seven Stars Insider – both the website (www.SevenStarsInsider.com) and the monthly newsletter. For a free subscription to the newsletter, join the mailing list at Seven Stars Insider 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 and Total Rewards under “Latest News” on the home page. In addition, be sure to follow @7StarsInsider on Twitter.

Darryl also writes a bi-weekly column, Mr. AC Casino, for the Atlantic City Weekly. A former professional journalist, based in Wilmington, Delaware, 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.