Atlantic City September 2020
Information about Atlantic City and its casinos seems to be changing daily. For the most up-to-date information, visit MrACCasino.com. (We share developments for September 2020, including Atlantic City indoor dining updates.)
Get out the vote – no, not THAT vote!
USA Today is asking readers to help pick the 10Best in several casino-related categories. The newspaper’s travel experts have selected the top 20 nominees. Among the Atlantic City properties, restaurants and players clubs up for a vote are:
Best Casino Outside Las Vegas: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino, Harrah’s Resort, Ocean Casino Resort
Best Casino Hotel: Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Best Players Club: 24K Select Club, Caesars Rewards, M life Rewards, Ocean Rewards Club, Wild Card Rewards
Best Casino Restaurant: Capriccio – Resorts Casino Hotel, Il Mulino New York and Kuro – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Vote at 10Best Readers’ Choice Awards. Voting ends at noon (ET) Monday, Sept. 7, and you can vote once a day in each category.
Nominations for Best of The Press open
Closer to home, nominations for Best of The Press, the Atlantic City daily newspaper’s annual Readers Choice Awards, are open through Wednesday, Sept. 2. Everyone must register before they can nominate. Only one nomination per category, per user is accepted. At the end of the nomination period the top five businesses in each category with the most nominations will be placed up for voting.
Voting begins Wednesday, Sept. 9, and ends Wednesday, Sept. 23. Everyone must be registered before they can vote. The three businesses with the most votes in each category will be a Best of The Press winner and awarded a Gold, Silver or Bronze Certificate. Winners will be announced on Friday, Oct. 30. Among the categories are Best Casino, Best Fine Dining Restaurant, Best Happy Hour and Best Buffet. For more information, click here.
NEW: Restaurants statewide will be able to open for indoor dining beginning this FRIDAY at 25% capacity and with social distancing between tables.
— Governor Phil Murphy (@GovMurphy) August 31, 2020
Reopening responsibly will help us restore one of our state’s key industries while continuing to make progress against #COVID19. pic.twitter.com/EPdEfi5Dmh
Atlantic City restaurants can resume indoor dining Friday, September 4th
New Jersey restaurants may open for indoor dining at 25 percent capacity and with social distancing between tables beginning Friday, Sept. 4, according to a tweet Aug. 31 from Gov. Phil Murphy.
“Reopening responsibly will help us restore one of our state’s key industries while continuing to make progress against COVID-19.”
New Jersey Governor, Phil Murphy
Smoking will be permitted in Atlantic City casinos, along with indoor dining and gaming floor beverage service, at 6 a.m. Friday. Here is the section of EO 183 as it relates to smoking. pic.twitter.com/OE2uXvEJ6W
— David Danzis (@ACPressDanzis) September 1, 2020
One of the consequences of the indoor dining ban has been the prohibition of beverages on the casino floor. According to David Danzis (@ACPressDanzis) “smoking will be permitted in Atlantic City casinos, along with indoor dining and gaming floor beverage service, at 6 a.m. Friday.”
Casino Floor Smoking – DID NOT LAST LONG
But a day after the decision was met with criticism by public health groups who pointed to research that suggested second-hand smoke may spread the coronavirus, Murphy agreed with them.
NJ.com article “Murphy reverses course, bans smoking in casinos again because of coronavirus threat”
Breaking update, September 5th:
Smoking is banned in casinos (again) due to coronavirus threat. You can review more details at NJ.com.
Eat, drink and be merry:
Your guide to players lounges
NOTE: With indoor dining set to resume Friday, Sept. 4, Atlantic City’s casino players lounges may reopen, thus eliminating the need for these temporary options.
Bally’s, Caesars, Harrah’s
While the Laurel and Seven Stars Lounges are temporarily closed, Caesars Rewards Loyalty Program cardholders with 25,000 or more tier credits get 1,000 Reward Credits a day.
In addition, Seven Stars cardholders can attend a Starlight Cocktail Hour from 9 to 11 p.m. on Fridays and Saturdays at Caesars Atlantic City Hotel and Casino Qua Spa Private Outside Deck in the Ocean Tower. No reservation is required, but there is limited seating. The Seven Stars Starlight Cocktail Hour on the Pool deck at Harrah’s is no longer an option because Harrah’s has opened the Elite Lounge for Diamond Elite and Seven Stars cardholders plus one guest.
Seven Stars companion cardholders may visit without the Seven Stars cardholder, but cannot bring a guest. The lounge is located at the valet pick-up area, down the hall from the Viking Cooking School. Guests need to present their players cards for access. There are 104 seats available for guests to sit and enjoy a cocktail or a light meal served by Harrah’s food and beverage team. Seating is based on availability. The Lounge is open from 4 to 10:30 p.m. on Fridays, 2 to 10:30 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 7 p.m. on Sundays.
Borgata
While the Amphora Lounge is temporarily closed, Gold, Platinum and NOIR M life Rewards cardholders can visit Borgata Gardens for an outdoor dining experience and full-service premium bar. Borgata Gardens is located adjacent to the indoor pool on the Spa Level. Admission is $12.50 Express Comps per person per visit for Gold and Platinum cardholders, and complimentary for NOIR cardholders. Admission is limited to the cardholder plus one guest.
Visit the M life Rewards Desk for hours and other details. In addition, The Society Club at The Water Club is now open for M life Rewards NOIR cardholders. Entrance is through the Sunroom where there is a buffet and seated service poolside. Hours are 4 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays.
Golden Nugget
While the Chairman’s Club is temporarily closed, Chairman and Elite cardholders are invited to its pandemic alternative on the outside patio of The Wave. The club is open from 1 to 7 p.m. Monday to Thursday, 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays, noon to 11 p.m. Saturdays, and noon to 8 p.m. on Sundays. Guests check-in at the entrance of The Wave in the retail corridor. Social distancing and masks are required while waiting in line. There is a “Team Member- Served Buffet” set-up on the dance floor of The Wave where you’re served; then return to your table on the outdoor patio. Drinks will be served at your table.
Hard Rock
On Fridays and Saturdays the bar and deck at Hard Rock’s Fish & Co. are open exclusively to Wild Card Rewards Rock Royalty and X cardholders. Hours are 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays and 11:30 a.m. to 11 p.m. on Saturdays. Located on the Boardwalk, Fish & Co. offers oceanfront dining, featuring such items as New England clam chowder, peel and eat shrimp, steamed clams, mussels, and lobster rolls.
While the Plum Lounge is temporarily closed, the Daer Deck is open exclusively for Wild Card Rewards X cardholders. From 4 p.m. to midnight on Fridays and Saturdays, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sundays, cardholders can enjoy complimentary beverages and full-service dining. While the Legends Lounge is temporarily closed Rock Royalty cardholders can enjoy the Legends VIP Deck, a rooftop VIP experience featuring a rotating menu, cocktails and live music. The Deck is located off of Fort Pierce Hallway, then make a left at the Registration Desk. The Deck is open from 3 to 9 p.m. Thursdays, 4 to 11 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. (brunch) and 4 to 9 p.m. on Sundays. Admission is 10 comp dollars each for the cardholder and a guest.
Ocean Casino Resort
While the Chairman and VIP Lounges are temporarily closed, Ocean has a new outdoor VIP Lounge open to all Black and Chairman Ocean Rewards Club cardholders. Located on the ocean side of the fifth floor of the garage, the lounge offers complimentary drinks, full-service dining, TVs and other entertainment. It’s open from 4 to 10 p.m. on Fridays, 2 to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Reservations are required. The Reservation Desk, located in the indoor VIP Lounge next to The Grind, is open 2 to 10 p.m. Fridays, noon to 10 p.m. on Saturdays, and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Sundays. Chairman cardholders are permitted up to three guests and Black cardholders are permitted one guest.
Resorts Casino Hotel
Hosts invite small groups of Red Carpet cardholders for private by-invitation-only dinners on the balcony outside Capriccio.
Tropicana
Trop Advantage Club Black cardholders can enjoy complimentary cocktails, light bites and live entertainment – weather permitting – from 7 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays at the North Tower Pool Deck. Caesars Rewards Seven Stars guests are welcome also.
Interested in matching at Tropicana? Be sure to read:
Eldorado and Caesars Status Matching
– mostly done right, worth it?
Win a Mercedes at Resorts
Earn entries by playing your favorite slots or table games while using your Star Card through 3:55 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, to win a 2021 Mercedes GLA at Resorts Casino Hotel. For every tier point you earn, you will receive one entry.
That’s a wrap!
From July 1 through the end of 2020 Caesars Rewards Diamond Elite and Seven Stars cardholders can earn Great Gift Wrap Up points for play at all Caesars Rewards casinos throughout the United States and Canada. In Atlantic City that would be Bally’s and Caesars, as well as Harrah’s Resort and Tropicana. Previously, any level cardholder was able to earn points, but only at participating properties in Nevada, Arizona and California. Cardholders who reach Diamond Elite or Seven Stars status after July 1 are eligible to begin earning points at all Caesars Rewards casinos once their status is upgraded. No points will be earned or awarded retroactively.
Go forth and multiply
Borgata – 5X Slot Dollars every Saturday for all Gold, Platinum and NOIR for every M life Rewards cardholders.
Resorts – After activating the offer at any promotional kiosk, Star Cardholders will earn 3X comp dollars every Tuesday in September.
After opting in at any promotional kiosk, earn up to 10X comp dollars Friday, Sept. 18. Premiere and Epic cardholders are guaranteed 2X, Paramount cardholders are guaranteed 3X, Paramount Plus are guaranteed 4X, and Red Carpet cardholders are guaranteed 5X.
After opting in at any promotional kiosk, earn 2X cashback every Wednesday in September. Cashback available for slot play only and will be available 72 hours after a trip ends.
Earn two tier points to receive a free Resorts mask – while supplies last. Visit the Promotions Booth from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There is a limit of one mask per customer during the length of the promotion.
After opting in at any promotional kiosk, Red Carpet Club cardholders will earn 4X cashback every Thursday in September. Cashback available for slot play only and will be available 72 hours after a trip ends.
Keep on truckin’
While both Ocean Casino Resort and Borgata promote the food trucks on their premises, only the Borgata food trucks accept M life Rewards Express Comps. Ocean’s trucks accept only cash or credit cards.
Look, up in the sky!
Ocean Casino Resort has opened a new rooftop-style dining experience, the Sky Garden Grille. Set on three acres of landscaped gardens overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, the Sky Garden Grille is the latest addition to the area, which also features the Sky Garden Bar, patio dining areas where Ocean’s takeout options are welcome, fire pits and more. The Grille is a full-service restaurant open daily, weather-permitting, serving such fare as peel and eat shrimp, lobster or Thai salad, ribs, burgers, and chicken sandwiches, as well as scampi, halibut, Thai scallops and steamed clams.
Ultimate Payout canceled
The year-long Ultimate Payout promotion has been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. A new promotion will be announced soon.
Harrah’s offers outdoor entertainment
Harrah’s Resort is presenting Bayside ROCK Live, featuring contemporary DJ sets and music of the ’70s and ’80s by some of today’s top tribute bands. Shows are every Friday through Oct. 23. Tickets are $44.50 and must be purchased in advance at Ticketmaster.com. A portion of the ticket sales will be donated to the South Jersey Branch of the Community FoodBank of New Jersey. Each ticket includes a socially-distanced space for up to two people. Attendees will have the opportunity to purchase popcorn and beverages to be enjoyed in their spots. The stage will be located at the Waterfront Conference Center parking complex. Attendance is limited to persons 21 and older. No smoking will be allowed and facial coverings must be worn at all times except when eating or drinking. The series is sponsored by LG Business Solutions and the New Jersey Lottery. For details, click here.
GNOG reports records second quarter
For the three months ending June 30, Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG) reported gross gaming revenues of $28.2 million from its New Jersey operations. Compared to $15.3 million during the same period in 2019, that’s an increase of 85 percent. GNOG Senior Vice President and General Manager Thomas Winter said, “Our second quarter beat our target, supported by record player activity and average revenue per user.” GNOG has since entered into a transaction agreement with Landcadia Holdings II Inc., a special-purpose acquisition company. GNOG will become an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Landcadia, which will change its name to Golden Nugget Online Gaming Inc.
Take a seat
With indoor dining prohibited in New Jersey through Sept. 4, Caesars has set-up tables and chairs on the third floor of its Colosseum Garage for guests to consume their take-out food and beverages. You may want to take along some wipes. Some of the tables were not very clean and there is no one there monitoring this.
Resorts Casino Hotel’s outdoor covered QuickBites Patio is now open daily, and includes a bar serving draft beer, hard seltzer and wine.
Wine down Thursdays
Hard Rock is offering blind wine tastings at its outdoor DAER Deck Lounge. At 5 p.m. Thursdays, Sept. 3 and 10, guests can taste six different varietals and try to identify the type of wine. Those who select the correct varietal will receive a small prize. The hour-long tastings are $25 per person. For complete information or to register, click here.
Harry’s, Morton’s reduce comp redemption
Harry’s Oyster Bar at Bally’s and Morton’s The Steakhouse at Caesars now accept Caesars Reward Credits on a 1:1 basis. Previously, it took twice as many comp dollars to pay for food and beverages. Keep in mind that this could be temporary so be sure to ask first.
Spa Toccare reopens to hotel guests
Spa Toccare at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa has reopened – but only to hotel guests. However, to follow social distancing guidelines, the lounges have been reconfigured to ensure all safety guidelines are met. Click here for details.
Caesars Shuttle change
The Caesars Shuttle now picks up and drops off passengers in front of the outside entrance to Harry’s Oyster Bar at Bally’s. Previously, the stop was located inside Bally’s Bus Terminal.
In the news. . . Atlantic City
Governor signs open container law
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy signed legislation Aug. 28 that permanently allows for the public consumption of alcohol within the Atlantic City Tourism District. The bill defines “open container areas” as portions of the beach, Boardwalk and other areas within the Tourism District, as determined by the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority, in which pedestrians are permitted to carry and consume open containers of alcoholic beverages, the Governor’s Office said in a statement. “Despite the economic hardship that this pandemic has levied on our casino and hospitality industries, the Atlantic City community has once again proven its resiliency and readiness for a strong future,” Murphy said. “By permanently allowing outdoor consumption of alcoholic beverages in certain areas of the Tourism District, we can extend short-term support to small businesses who need it, and further strengthen the resurgence of Atlantic City as the East Coast’s premier resort destination.”
Borgata: Ocean Casino is poaching our execs, trade secrets
Borgata is accusing Ocean Casino Resort of poaching a half-dozen of its top marketing executives in an attempt to “cripple” it by using secret details about its best and most profitable customers. In a lawsuit filed in Nevada on Thursday, Aug. 28, Borgata says Ocean hired six marketing executives, despite the fact that at least two had non-compete agreements that bar them from working for a competitor for a year after leaving.
The lawsuit was filed in Nevada because the Borgata’s parent company, MGM Resorts International, is based there. However, it also asserts the hiring of the executives violates New Jersey state law regarding unfair competition. Read the whole story here.
Man admits to killing brother at Harrah’s
A Philadelphia man has admitted to killing his younger brother last year at Harrah’s, according to a news release from Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner. John A. Villante, 39, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated manslaughter in the May 28, 2019, death of 32-year old Joseph Villante, Tyner said.
Security responded about 3:10 p.m. to a medical emergency in a room on the 11th floor, Tyner said. The younger Villante was found and transported to AtlantiCare Regional Medical Center, City Campus, where he was pronounced dead. An autopsy determined the death was a homicide from multiple injuries, including blunt force head injuries, Tyner said. John Villante was arrested May 30, 2019, in Philadelphia, and is scheduled to be sentenced Monday, Oct. 26.
Big win online
Christopher M., Long Valley, N.J., won $228,105 from a single $45 wager on the slot game Lock It Link Night Life. This is the largest online jackpot this year for Ocean Online Casino, the digital gaming platform for Ocean Casino Resort.
Looking ahead (schedule subject to change):
Oct. 2: Desperado – The Nation’s Premier Eagles Tribute, Harrah’s
Oct. 9: Tusk – The World’s Number One Tribute To Fleetwood Mac, Harrah’s
Oct. 16: An Evening With William Shatner, Caesars
Oct. 16: The FABBA Show – A Tribute to ABBA, Harrah’s
Oct. 23: Ace Frehley, Hard Rock
Oct. 23: Beatles For Sale – Beatles Tribute Band, Harrah’s
Oct. 24: HYMN: Sarah Brightman In Concert, Ocean Casino Resort
Oct. 24: “Dracula,” Atlantic City Ballet, Caesars
Oct. 24: Cat & Nat, Harrah’s
Oct. 30: Kreeps With Kids Comedy Tour with Rob Bennington, Robert Kelly, Rich Vos & Jim Florentine, Borgata
Oct. 30: Aaron Lewis, Ocean Casino Resort
Oct. 31: Styx, Tropicana
Here are other “insider” tips about what’s happening in Atlantic City during September:
Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa
Promotions
Every 15 minutes from noon to 7 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7, and Sunday, Sept. 13, Borgata is giving away 1,500 Bonus Slot Dollars. Insert your M life Rewards card into any slot machine or table games rating from 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. for a chance to win.
Entertainment and Events
Borgata Comedy Club (check for dates in September), Wayne Brady (Sept. 11), Marlon Wayans (Sept. 18). For tickets visit The Borgata or call 866-900-4TIX (4849).
Golden Nugget Casino, Hotel & Marina
Promotions
Free self-parking continues.
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City
Promotions
Hard Rock continues its Wild Card tier match program until further notice. Details here.
Harrah’s Resort
Entertainment and Events
Zoso – The Ultimate Led Zeppelin Experience (Sept. 4), DSB – A Tribute to Journey (Sept. 11), Aerosmyth – The Ultimate Aerosmith Tribute Experience (Sept. 18), Songs In The Attic: The Music of Billy Joel (Sept. 25). For tickets, visit Ticketmaster.
Ocean Casino Resort
Promotions
All Ocean Premier cardholders get free self-parking daily through Thursday, Dec. 31.
Visit the Ocean Rewards Club for details.
Resorts Casino Hotel
Promotions
Premiere 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.
After activating the offer at any promotional kiosk, Star Cardholders will earn 3X comp dollars every Tuesday in September.
After opting in at any promotional kiosk, earn up to 10X comp dollars Friday, Sept. 18. Premiere and Epic cardholders are guaranteed 2X, Paramount cardholders are guaranteed 3X, Paramount Plus are guaranteed 4X, and Red Carpet cardholders are guaranteed 5X.
After opting in at any promotional kiosk, earn 2X cashback every Wednesday in September. Cashback available for slot play only and will be available 72 hours after a trip ends.
Earn two tier points to receive a free Resorts mask – while supplies last. Visit the Promotions Booth from 10 a.m. to midnight Sunday through Thursday, and between 10 a.m. and 2 a.m. Fridays and Saturdays. There is a limit of one mask per customer during the length of the promotion.
After opting in at any promotional kiosk, Red Carpet Club cardholders will earn 4X cashback every Thursday in September. Cashback available for slot play only and will be available 72 hours after a trip ends.
Resorts $35,000 Jackpot Sweepstakes for June has been rescheduled to Saturday, Sept. 26. All June entries will be accepted for these new drawings. Players can earn one entry for every taxable hand paid jackpot. One person will win $1,000 in slot cash every 10 minutes, followed by a $10,000 cash Grand Prize Drawing at 10:15 p.m.
Visit the Promotions Booth for details.
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Recreational gambler Darryl D. McEwen is the 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. and Caesars 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. The companion website is MrACCasino.com and the matching Twitter account is @MrACCasino. 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.
