Halloween is inspiring lots of activity the end of this month, but there’s still plenty to do before the ghosts and goblins take over the resort.

Big wheel keeps on turnin’

Look for the opening this month of the Observation Wheel at the Steel Pier. The $14 million, 227-foot wheel, with 40 climate-controlled cabins, will be the third tallest in the country. The wheel, which was purchased in Italy, will take passengers on a 16-minute ride.

I’ll drink to that!

No matter what your drink of choice is, Tropicana has something to quench your thirst. From 31 days of Rosé, Oct. 1 – 31 (Tropicana.net/Rose), to its Beer & Whiskey Festival Oct. 14 where you can check out 60 beers and 30 whiskeys. The festival will feature John Eddie and his Dirty Ol’ Band. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 at the door. Visit Ticketmaster.com.

Looking good, feeling fine

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa is offering some special deals this month and next. For $120, check out the Fall Festival Massage, the Golden Grove Body Wrap or the Apple Orchard Antioxidant Facial at Spa Toccare or the Immersion Spa at The Water Club. The salon is offering the “Gotta Have It Pomegranate Pedicure” (Tuesday through Friday only) for $85, and The Barbershop is offering the “Whole Nine Yards” (haircut, shave and sports massage) for $95. Both services include complimentary access to the Spa Lounge. For more information or to book an appointment, call (609) 317-7555.

It’s corny

Beginning Oct. 1 through 6 p.m. Oct. 28 Trop Advantage cardholders can guess the number of candy corn for a chance to win $1,000 in free slot play. Visit the display in Palm Walk, then lock in your one-time guess at any Trop Advantage comp kiosk machine for your chance to win. The winner will be announced at 6:30 p.m. Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m.

Boardwalk Hall

Eighth Annual Atlantic City Comedy Festival (Oct. 7 and 8), 40th Annual American Finals Rodeo (Oct. 20 and 21), Silent Film: “The Lodger” (Oct. 22). For tickets visit Ticketmaster.com.

‘Lunch and Learn’

Join Executive Chef Aram Mardigian at 11:30 a.m. Oct. 7 in Borgata’s Wolfgang Puck American Grille. For $65 per person, enjoy a three-course lunch with wine, while learning how to create several of Mardigian’s classic autumn dishes. Visit TheBorgata.com for details.

What a drag

If you missed Miss America, there’s the 2017 Miss’d America Pageant Oct. 7 at the Borgata. Hosted by Carson Kressley, the evening will feature the Melanie Rice Orchestra, the Miss’d America Dancers and special guest Frankie Z. For tickets visit the Borgata Box Office or TheBorgata.com, or call (866) 900-4849.

Willkommen

Celebrate Octoberfest Oct. 21 and 22 in Resorts Ocean Ballroom from noon to 8 p.m. on Saturday and noon to 6 p.m. on Sunday. Enjoy live entertainment, shopping, authentic cuisine available for purchase and genuine German bier. Admission is $5, but Star cardholders get in for free. Check in at the Promotions Booth on the casino floor or in front of Capriccio’s on Saturday or the Horizon Room on Sunday.

Chocolate Week

Tropicana is serving up days of chocolate delights Oct. 22 – 28. Look for specials at Tropicana’s restaurants, bars and retail outlets.

Beer Pong

A World Series of Beer Pong Qualifier takes place Oct. 27 at Bally’s Wild Wild West Beer Pong Pit. There’s an entry fee, and registration takes place from 9 to 10 p.m., with the tournament beginning at 10. This event is a satellite competition for entry in the World Series of Beer Pong. Winners receive free entry to the World Series of Beer Pong ($500 value) in Las Vegas. Second prize is $150 and third prize is $100.

At Bally’s and Caesars, it’s more than Halloween, it’s Halloweek:

Oct. 26
Guy’s Dining With The Dead Party, 7:30 p.m., Guy’s Chophouse, Bally’s – Do you have the guts to survive the night at this spine-tinging, zombie themed dining-in-the-dark experience? Be careful what you bite into at this six-course dinner with cocktail pairing. All-black attire is required in order to attend and costumes are encouraged.

Oct. 27
Tapping of the Mystery Firkin, 6 p.m., Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grille, Caesars – A firkin is a British-style nine-gallon cask of unfiltered ale, tapped with a wood mallet at the bar.

Madam Betty’s Roaring ’20s Murder Mystery, 7 p.m., Betty’s Back Room at Nero’s Italian Steakhouse, Caesars – Betty is hosting a murder mystery dinner which includes four courses featuring Hendrix gin and wine pairings, and a chance to win a share of $1,000 in prizes throughout the night. Guests are encouraged to dress to theme.

Vamps & Tramps Halloween Riot, 9 p.m., Wild Wild West, Bally’s – Join celebrants for a “mesmerizing night of bloodsucking fun” featuring $3 beers, $5 shots, $5 table games, beer pong, mechanical bull and an arcade. Enter the costume contest for a chance to win $2,500 in prizes at midnight.

Oct. 28
Adult Trick or Treat, 7 – 11 p.m. – Enjoy appetizers and adult beverages from participating restaurants and bars at Bally’s and Caesars, and score a chance to win prizes valued at more than $2,000. A portion of the proceeds of this event will benefit the American Cancer Society’s Making Strides Against Breast Cancer.

Oct. 29
Betty’s Bizarre Brunch, 10 a.m., Nero’s Italian Steakhouse, Caesars – Betty’s “not so traditional” Sunday brunch will feature Halloween brunch items and a bizarre, yet delicious menu.

Oct. 31
Ice & Fire Costume Party, 10 p.m., Wild Wild West, Bally’s – Party with “kings” and “queens” at this medieval-themed bash. Enjoy live entertainment, specialty drinks and souvenirs, $5 table games, beer pong, mechanical bull and an arcade. Enter the costume contest for a chance to win $2,500 in prizes.

In addition, check out the elaborate Jack O’Lantern displays at participating restaurants Oct. 27 through Oct. 29. Guests are encouraged to vote for their favorite. The winning dining outlet will have a $500 donation provided in their name to the American Cancer Society.

Meanwhile over at Tropicana, it’s the Ultimate Halloween Celebration Oct. 28 including a Thriller dance on the Boardwalk, a Halloween-themed light and sound show, giveaways, costume contests, drink specials, and some mysterious surprises. The festivities begin at 7:30 p.m. on the Boardwalk and continue inside the resort from 9 p.m. For more information, visit Tropicana.net/Halloween.

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

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa

Promotions
Throughout the week M life Rewards cardholders can choose the teams they think will win the Sunday and Monday games. Stop by any $1 Million Pro Football Challenge kiosk located next to the M life Rewards Desk or near the Gypsy Bar. Players can enter daily for up to seven entries per week, but only one entry per day. Entry deadlines vary, so visit TheBorgata.com for complete rules. Each week $10,000 in prize money will be awarded, with a minimum $5,000 guaranteed top prize each week. In addition, for the games in the regular season ending Dec. 31, 2,000 entrants each will win 20 Bonus Slot Dollars in weekly random drawings. For the playoffs that amount increases to 30. For the 2018 “big game” Feb. 4 Borgata will give away a total of $100,000 in cash and Bonus Slot Dollars.
1,500 Bonus Slot Dollars Every 15 Minutes (Oct. 9 and 29)
Details at the M life Rewards Center.

Entertainment
Borgata Comedy Club (check for dates in October), The Burlesque Show (Oct. 5, 12, 19, 26), Lewis Black (Oct. 6 and 7), Miss’d America (Oct. 7), The Temptations & The Four Tops (Oct. 8), Sal Valentinetti (Oct. 13), Michael Carbonaro (Oct. 14), The Isley Brothers with Special Guest Aaron Neville (Oct. 20), Vic DiBitetto (Oct. 20), Peppino Di Capri in Concerto – 50th Anniversary Tour (Oct. 21), Frank Caliendo (Oct. 28), Ray LaMontagne (Oct. 28). For tickets visit TheBorgata.com or call (866) 900-4TIX (4849).

Caesars Atlantic City

Promotions
Claim your share of $100,000 in the Gladiator Challenge. Receive one free entry daily starting Oct. 1 and earn 5X entries on Tuesdays. If you haven’t done so already, download the play by Total Reward app to accept the $100,000 Gladiator Challenge 100 bonus entries offer on Dec. 29. For the finale, hourly drawings will take place from 1 to 9 p.m. in the hotel lobby. Activate entries between 11 a.m. and 8:45 p.m. at any promotional kiosk.

Entertainment
Terry Fator (Oct. 6), Rodney Carrington (Oct. 14), Our Lady Peace (Oct. 27), Jagged Edge, Ginuwine & Dru Hill (Oct. 28). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Golden Nugget Atlantic City

Promotions
In the $1 Million Golden Gridiron through Dec. 31, starting every Tuesday at noon through noon on Sunday, 24K Select Club cardholders can choose the teams they think will win the Sunday and Monday games. Enter at the Fan Zone in the Main Atrium, one entry per day, for a total of six entries per week, excluding Mondays. Best scored entry for the week will be counted. Participants can win two ways each week: The player or players with the most correct picks will win a share of $5,000. Second and third place winners receive $1,500 and $1,000, respectively. In addition, there will be a drawing where 150 participants randomly will be selected to win $50 in free play. Correctly pick the winner of 192 or more games during the season and win $1 million.
$10,000 Bingo Bonanza October 2, 9, 16 and 30 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
For details on all promotions, visit the 24K Select Club.
Free self-parking continues.

Entertainment
“A Bronx Tale” (Oct. 7), The Amazing Kreskin (Oct. 28). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com.

Harrah’s Resort

Promotions
Win one of three Lexus RX 450 Luxury SUVs or $45,000 in cash in a drawing Dec. 30. Earn entries paying your favorite slot machines and table games from Oct. 1 through Dec. 30. Receive one entry for every 25 tier credits you earn at Harrah’s; 5X entries on Tuesdays.

Entertainment
Enjoy a sit down with some of your favorite characters from “The Young and the Restless.” Greg Rikaart (Kevin Fisher) – Oct. 5, Christian Le Blanc (Michael Baldwin) – Oct. 12, Tracey Bregman (Laura Baldwin) – Oct. 19, and Kristoff St. John (Neil Winters) – Oct. 26 all be sitting down to talk about the show at 8 p.m. Thursdays in the Concert Venue; Queensryche and Skid Row (Oct. 14). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or call (800) 736-1420.

Resorts Casino Hotel

Promotions
2017 Lexus NX 200T Guaranteed Sweepstakes. Play daily through Nov. 26. One tier point equals 1 entry, with double entries every Thursday in October and 10X entries every Tuesday and Friday in October.
Guess the number of pumpkins in a container on the casino floor and win $500 in slot cash. Enter every day through Nov. 22. The 10 players closest to the actual number of pumpkins without going over will win $500 in slot cash.

Entertainment
The Neverly Brothers (Oct. 1 – 4, 10 – 12, 15 – 19, 22 – 25, 29 – 31), High Valley (Oct. 7). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.com or the Resorts Box Office, or call (800) 745-3000.

Tropicana Atlantic City

Entertainment
Primal Men – Male Revue (every Saturday at Boogie Nights), Dion (Oct. 21), O.A.R (Oct. 28). 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, but note that it will be closed through Oct. 4 for renovations. “Blade Runner 2014: The IMAX Experience” runs Oct. 5 – 19, GEOSTORM: An IMAX 3D Experience runs Oct. 19 through Nov. 2. “Great White Shark 3D” runs through Dec. 31. For show times and tickets, visit Tropicana.net/Entertainment/IMAX-Theatre/. Tickets can be purchased at the IMAX Box Office, through Ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.

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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.