JMP sent in a trip report to Parx casino outside of Philadelphia, PA. I’ve heard that this place is beautiful, but still a racino. With no table games and no hotel I don’t see Parx in my future, but here’s a first hand review from someone that’s been there.
If any of you want to know the real reason behind “Snowmageddon”, it’s this: umpteen months after emailing TC and saying “Can I be your PA casino guy?”, I finally set foot in one: Parx Casino (formerly known as Philadelphia Park Casino) in Bensalem PA. I know, I know, I would’ve put money on it being Harrah’s Chester, as well, but the opportunity presented itself: my lovely wife gave me a day pass to head up to Edison NJ on Super Bowl Sunday to watch the game with some friends from back home and Parx is a few short minutes off of the PA Turnpike.
Parx is easily accessible by the PA Turnpike, Route 1 (aka ‘the Boulevard’) and 95 (aka “12 lanes of death”). When it was just Philadelphia Racetrack, it was home to the PA state fair for some years and also to Smarty Jones, who won the Kentucky Derby and the Preakness back in 2004. The neighborhood on Street Road (yes, that’s what it’s really called) surrounding the complex boasts your typical strip malls, mid-level hotels and chain eateries (along with The Great American Pub, which wins the award for best diner year after year). Contrary to what casino critics believe, there has NOT been an increase in crime since Philly Park opened, nor have pawn shops, liquor stores and check cashing places moved in to take advantage of the ‘poor stupid gamblers’ whom the casino industry allegedly preys upon. Bensalem borders on the area of Philadelphia called “the northeast” and the complex is close to a large outlet mall called Franklin Mills (similar to AC’s The Walk, only it’s enclosed).
I originally checked out the original casino shortly after it opened in late 2006. Those of you who followed me on the tripadvisor.com AC forum may remember the following review: http://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowTopic-g29750-i78-k923726-Philly_Racino_TR_12_29-Atlantic_City_New_Jersey.html. What’s especially pertinent, though, was the 2nd to last paragraph, in which I called the place as generic as generic could be and ended thusly: “Now, this is supposedly only Phase 1. I certainly hope so because they’re gonna need many more phases to get me to walk through their doors again.”
Of course, if you were following me, you’ll know I did walk through their doors again. Philly Park became ‘that annoying kid in high school who you hung out with b/c he could get into the liquor cabinet’. What I mean is, despite the flaws (genericism and poor ventilation) they were comping alcohol, while Harrah’s Chester wasn’t. What made it even more attractive was that their VP bar had 8/5 JoB, so you could play a decent paytable and get your drink in a timely fashion. Unfortunately, the paytables got lowered to 7/5 when they embiggened the bar. With that change, I stayed away…
The term Video Lottery Terminal, or VLT, is thrown around often in articles about gambling now. This comes along with the rise of the racino. Wikipedia offers an nice and simple explanation of what, exactly, VLT is.
A Video Lottery Terminal or VLT is a gaming machine that allows gamblers to bet on the outcome of a video game.
A VLT is similar to a slot machine, except that it is connected to a centralized computer system that determines the outcome of each wager using a random number generator. Although the outcome of each wager is random, VLT operators are able to program in advance the total amount and number of payouts that its central computer system will allow at its connected VLTs. In this manner, VLTs can be thought of as computerized scratch-off lottery tickets.
Further, Racino VLT’s are treated differently than others.
Racinos differ from traditional VLTs in that all video lottery games are played on a Class II gaming machine. Class II games are played in a traditional Bingo format.
Other states that have legalized Class II VLTs in racinos are Delaware, Rhode Island, Louisiana, New York, and West Virginia.
And even more close to home for most gamblers.
Currently, only Oregon and South Dakota employ Class III gaming technology into their VLT games. This means that unlike any of the Class II states, Oregon and South Dakota lottery players compete against a house edge rather than other lottery players. This is the same type of gaming offered in Nevada, Connecticut and Atlantic City. Currently, the state of Oregon offers its players a 91-95% payout on each of its games. South Dakota offers an 88% payout.
Most US jurisdictions do not allow VLTs and those that do have attracted the same criticism the Canadian provinces have. However, some non-players have expressed tolerance for the machines.
I have plenty of reasons to stay away from VLT’s, and given the choice I’d stay away from them because I’m not very familiar and because of that don’t trust them. Everything I read about VLT’s has a negative tilt so I’ll just stay away.
I’ve made a couple of posts on betting NASCAR races around the past couple of Daytona 500 races. Few people have told me that they actually bet on any NASCAR events. From what I’ve read NASCAR television ratings are dropping so the fact that betting on NASCAR is on the rise is a little surprising.
“We have grown every year in NASCAR wagering,” Hilton manager Ed Salmon told ESPN. “Our odds to win handle has increased an amazing amount from when we started in June of 2004.”
Ya learn something new every day. I don’t know NASCAR well enough to bet on it, but I have noticed myself watching it a little more than I used to so maybe I’ll dabble in this down the line.
I came home to the end of a report about Allen Iverson having some personal problems. As it turns out he’s been kicked out of casinos in Atlantic City and Detroit and has gambling and drinking problems to go with an upcoming divorce. I just checked ESPN.com to get the details. Here’s the report.
I like Allen Iverson as a player. He was gritty. I love the small scrappy types. Hopefully he can get his life together. Good luck AI.
On a recent trip to Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City i was offered a handicapped room in the Waterfront Tower. I love the Waterfront Tower because it’s the newest tower at Harrah’s and prefer to stay there. I also don’t mind handicapped rooms as they are usually easy to get to and a little larger than normal rooms. Both cases were true.
First, I had to get to Atlantic City. I wasn’t sure how the trip would go because there was a “snowicane” which brought anywhere from 6-28 inches of snow to NY and NJ. As the day progressed the roads were tended to and there was clear sailing with a cup of coffee in hand.
The trip took about the normal 2.5 hours and with one pit stop for overpriced wiper fluid about halfway through the trip
I finally arrived at Harrah’s Resort at about 6pm. I love the lights on the outside of the Waterfront Tower. This is a pretty awesome feature.
The main area of the room was about the same size as other Waterfront Tower rooms. There may have been a little more space for wheelchair access, but I don’t think so. Excuse the dark photo, it was overcast much of the trip.
The sitting area was as tight and, somewhat, comfortable as the other Waterfront Tower rooms.
This was a slow week after a fun time in Atlantic City last weekend. I waited outside of Harrah’s for a cab, without a coat for 15 minutes, and caught a cold. Oh well, such is life. I ended up about even and didn’t pay for a meal so the trip was good. The next few weeks will be off and on since I will be away on business. I’ll forward out any interesting articles I see on twitter, so follow me in you like.
Meadowlands Raceway in East Rutherford, NJ asks state lawmakers, again, to allow them to have slot machines at racetracks in New Jersey.
Assemblyman Vincent Polistina, R-Atlantic, said after the hearing that he felt the discussion missed the significance of Atlantic City. “I recognize how critical the complex is to New Jersey’s economy. In determining the best course of action to help the Meadowlands, it is just as critical that consideration be given to the vital role that casinos play in New Jersey’s economy.”
I think I hear similar pleas a couple times a year. I understand how having slot parlors at racetrack would cannibalize gamblers that might visit Atlantic City, but with all of the increased competition from other states I think New Jersey should look at the overall tax dollars gained. Allowing racinos may actually keep gamblers, and tax dollars, in the state instead of allowing the money possibly going elsewhere.
I’m a gambler from the east coast, but gamble wherever I may have the chance. East Coast Gambler will chronicle my research on gambling and news about Atlantic City, Las Vegas and Sports. Occassionally there will be a trip elsewhere, but this is where most of my gambling occurs.
