I don’t walk with my head down so I don’t notice casino carpeting very often.  However, the carpet at Wild Wild West at Bally’s in Atlantic City is pretty awesome!

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• April 21, 2010 -- Bally’s Cleaning Up Wild Wild West
• July 12, 2010 -- Nongaming Revenue Las Vegas vs. Atlantic City
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• July 7, 2010 -- Seven Stars Insider – July

It shouldn’t be a surprise that Las Vegas earns more than Atlantic City on things other than gambling.  However, it’s a little shocking – not surprising – to see how much Las Vegas’ percentage of revenue comes from sources outside of gambling versus Atlantic City.

…But Atlantic City still has a long way to go before it can reach Las Vegas’ level, where about 60 percent of revenue comes from nongaming ventures, said Cory Morowitz, of Morowitz Gaming Advisors LLC, in Galloway Township.

Last year, nongaming revenue in Atlantic City was probably less than 10 percent after discounting comped goods, Morowitz said.

“I don’t think we can get to 60 percent,” he added. “We just don’t have the room size that Las Vegas has. Rooms are the biggest driver.”

As I mentioned there’s no surprise that the nongaming revenues are greater in Las Vegas than Atlantic City.  Las Vegas has put a lot of effort into creating those revenue streams for better or worse.

Borgata was the first casino to really put effort into creating nongaming revenues and Harrah’s Resort and Tropicana have followed suit by enhancing their club experiences.  Bally’s is starting down that road by renovating their properties (Claridge and Wild Wild West) and Harrah’s is considering rebranding Showboat.

These are all good steps to separating Atlantic City from the rest of the East Coast casinos that have been popping up over the past few years.

In addition to expanding their club scene I think (actually, I know) that better restaurants and more shows need to follow to grow this revenue stream and separate Atlantic City from the rest of the casinos.

Gwen Stefani - No Doubt - Borgata

Photo: Flickr: woundsarebleeding

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• July 11, 2010 -- Week In Review
• November 15, 2009 -- Week In Review
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Lots of good stuff this week on ECG.  I’m going to slowly start ECG 4.0 in the next few weeks.  I’m going to try to do this behind the scenes, but my lack of programming skills may not allow that.  So if the site looks as if it’s under construction then it probably is.  This won’t effect the blog updates, but some features may go away.

Feel free to email me if there’s something you’d like to see on the next version of ECG or if you have an idea for a logo.  You can reach me than [eastcoastgambler] at [gmail] dot [com].

• Planet Showboat Hollywood?
• Bills Gambling Hall Getting Cleaned Up
• Cosmopolitan Round Up
• Mandalay Bay and Las Vegas Hilton May Be For Sale
• Tim Tebow is #1
• Jeff Ma Interview
• 6-5 Blackjack is “Great” for Tourists
• World Series Of Poker Registration Up At Least 20%
• Seven Stars Insider – July
• New Blackjack Basic Strategy Calculator
• Did Charles Barkley Lose $100K Gambling For a Few Hours
• Ads on Slot Machines
• Harrah’s Resort Customer Service FTW! – Kinda

Buy Bringing Down The House

Buy 21

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• June 6, 2010 -- Week In Review
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Harrah’s recently sent out a survey to guests at Showboat in Atlantic City.  The survey leads me to believe that they’re considering rebranding Showboat to something more hip – say Planet Hollywood.

I just received a survey via e-mail from Harrah’s on what I think about them remodeling the Showboat into a Planet Hollywood Casino. They asked about what room rates I would pay, what I normally do in Atlantic City, what I normally spend and a few questions about Vegas. It also asked me if I recognized a few different Virgin (as in Sir. Richard) brands.

The Mardi Gras theme of Showboat is a little dated so rebranding could make sense.  Harrah’s needs to keep focus on the rebranding if they want it to succeed.  They tried to brand the boardwalk side of the casino to be more “hip” when they added the House of Blues a few years ago.  Since then they’ve updated parts of the casino with no real concept.

I followed up with the original poster on TA and was told that the survey also inquired about Sir Richard Branson’s Virgin properties.  I’m curious to see if & how that could be incorporated into a new casino.

It’s nice to see Harrah’s doing small things to improve their east coast properties on the surface.  I recommend they bring in a customer service consultant to bring that up to snuff.  Outside of hosts, nobody tells the same story when asked a question about the properties.  The staffs don’t come across as sincere or nice.

These east coast improvements (here and here too) are all low cost moves to improve the casinos for short and long term.  These moves will make the properties easier to sell when the economy turns around if Harrah’s decides to go that route.

Photo: Flickr: Jose P

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• July 11, 2010 -- Week In Review
• July 12, 2010 -- Nongaming Revenue Las Vegas vs. Atlantic City
• July 7, 2010 -- Seven Stars Insider – July
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Here’s the latest edition of Seven Stars Insider.  This is an easy read and an excellent resource for Harrah’s players.  Head over to Seven Stars Insider to sign up for the newsletter.  There is lots of information in this edition, so read on for all the goods.

Seven Stars Insider – July 2010

NOTE: While this newsletter was originally designed exclusively for Seven Stars members, there is useful information for anyone who has a Total Rewards^® player’s card and/or plays/stays at a Harrah’s property.  Please feel free to pass this on to your friends.  Back issues of the Seven Stars Insider newsletter are available online at http://sites.google.com/site/sevenstarsinsider/.  You will need Adobe Acrobat to view them, but this is a free program available at www.adobe.com.

Fall Signature Event

The fall Signature Event has been confirmed for September 10-12 at Planet Hollywood in Las Vegas.  September 10, however, is the last day of Rosh Hashanah, one of the holiest days on the Jewish calendar, and many players are not happy about the scheduling.

Harrah’s Plans Las Vegas Retail, Entertainment Complex

Harrah’s Entertainment plans to develop a retail and entertainment center in a short thoroughfare that runs from the Las Vegas Strip to Audrie Street, between the Flamingo and O’Sheas.  “Project Linq” will include 20 restaurants and bars, and 20 individual retailers along a promenade that leads to a 550-foot observation wheel in the back of the property.  Construction is expected to begin next year.  Here’s a link to a Las Vegas Review-Journal article which appeared July 1.

Cashback Back – Sort Of

It’s now official.  No need to look in your mailbox for those Reel Rewards coupons that replaced the actual cash cashback from Atlantic City casinos.  While you still won’t get cold hard cash, you now will be able to retrieve a coupon through the kiosks.  Simply print the voucher – minimum $5, in increments of $5 – and take it to the cashier.  In the future, the only thing you’ll get in the mail is a postcard telling you how much you’ve earned, and you’ll probably receive at least one last Reel Rewards coupon in the mail for all cashback earned prior to the conversion.  If you have any cashback balances prior to April 6, you can still get the cash up until July 15.  After that, you won’t get the cash, just Reel Rewards coupons available through the kiosks.  All existing cashback offers that were sent through the mail as Reel Rewards coupons will continue to be valid through their expiration date.  Finally, don’t cash out more coupons than you can use during your visit because they expire sometimes within a day or two after you receive them.

I don’t know about anyone else, but I received a survey from Harrah’s asking my thoughts on the “new” – now “old” – cashback program the day after the revised program was announced.  Some department wasted a lot of money, and a lot of our time, by polling us after the decision was made.

Great Gift Wrap Up^©

Those of you who play in Nevada and Arizona probably already know this, but, in addition to your Reward Credits, you also are earning points for the annual Gift Wrap Up.  (You earn approximately 10 Gift Points for every 7 Rewards Credits.)  The event will be held in Las Vegas at the Flamingo November 11-15 and at Caesars Palace December 2-6.  Originally, only play in Las Vegas at Bally’s, Harrah’s, Imperial Palace, Rio, Caesars Palace, Flamingo, Paris – and Ak Chin in Phoenix – counted.  However, the program has been restructured to include all play at Harrah’s in Laughlin since January 1, as well as play at Planet Hollywood once it was taken over by Harrah’s.

Harrah’s Atlantic City Curbside Check-In

While it doesn’t operate daily, Seven Stars members who valet park at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City can use a special curbside VIP check-in.

Casino Updates

• Rio Opens New Club – Darin Feinstein, owner of the Viper Room in Los Angeles, has opened the Crown Theater and Crown Nightclub.  Located in the former space of Club 3121, the 900-seat venue will present a mix of live concerts and nightlife events.
• George Wallace – George has signed a three-year extension to his contract at the Flamingo.
• munchbar – Caesars Palace takes “comfort food” to a new level.
• Sammy Hagar’s Beach Bar - Formerly Bally’s Bikini Beach Bar, Van Halen singer, tequila magnate and Cabo Wabo owner Sammy Hagar has opened his first East Coast operation in Atlantic City.  For more details, click here.
• Toga – The Atlantic City Caesars’ casino floor bar has expanded to become more like a club.
• D’Zio – Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City has opened a rodizio – Brazilian steakhouse – on Fridays and Saturdays only through Labor Day weekend.  The all-you-can eat menu is $35 per person, but doesn’t include beverages or dessert.  For more details, click here.

Atlantis Trip Report

Here’s a first-hand report from a couple who took advantage of a special offer for Seven Stars players at the Atlantis Casino Resort and Spa in Reno.  [Atlantis is offering $500 in FreePlay, three nights in a luxurious suite and a $100 dining credit to all current Seven Stars Club members, as well as those who were Seven Stars Club members last year (April 1, 2009, to March 31, 2010).  For details, go to www.atlantiscasino.com/insider.]:  “[W]e were impressed by the property and the treatment we received there.  Our suite was a beautifully appointed, two-room layout with three large flat-screen TVs, a Jacuzzi tub in the bedroom, two bathrooms, leather sofas and chairs, a bar area, and a big dining room table.  The restaurants that we tried were excellent, including a wonderful anniversary dinner in the Steakhouse. We also liked the buffet, the Manhattan Deli and the Purple Parrot coffee shop.  The VIP Lounge on the 25th floor of the Concierge Tower was spacious and offered beautiful views of the city and free Internet access (two computer stations), including a printer. They served a continental breakfast that we loved.  Our host was extremely gracious, allowing us to combine offers so we could take advantage of the fact that [we] are both Seven Stars.  [My wife], in fact, was able to get a hair treatment in their salon using the offers we received.  We also liked the fact that we could play a lot of the games we like in the non-smoking area on the Sky Terrace and near the Java Coast.  [E]verything was nicely in our comfort zone and we’re looking forward to going back.”

Straight No Chaser

Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City missed a great marketing opportunity last month when NJN Public Television aired two performances of Straight No Chaser, the a cappella singing group that’s playing in the Concert Venue through August 28.  One of NJN’s periodic fund-raisers, for certain minimum contributions the show offered two packages of opening night tickets, a meet-and-greet, a CD, and a DVD.  An email to all its Total Rewards members in the local viewing area would have been a terrific promotion for the show, as well as an opportunity to showcase Harrah’s generous public citizenship.

MGM Resorts International (MGM-Mirage) Introduces New Player’s Club

Believing its new name better reflects its global presence, MGM-Mirage has changed its name to MGM Resorts International.  At the same time, it is making changes to its player loyalty program, to be called M life.  Based on initial reports, the new program will be similar to those operated by Harrah’s, Trump, Tropicana and others.  The new program will feature tiers and be more “transparent” than the current program.  Currently, players really don’t know their comp balances or at what level they are playing.  Players are told to “charge everything to [their] room” and “when you check out we will evaluate your play and extend complimentaries based on your play.”  I’ve always found that a bit annoying. . .kind of like going to the principal’s office with your tail between your legs to beg for whatever you can get.  Expect to see the new program late this summer at MGM’s U.S. regional markets and in the fall in Las Vegas.

New ‘Old Favorite’ Restaurants

I recently had the opportunity to dine at two Atlantic City Harrah’s restaurants that I had not visited in a couple years.  I’m happy to report that Arturo’s at Bally’s and the Rib & Chophouse at Showboat are better than ever.

Question of the Month

Are there any “pet-friendly” Harrah’s casino hotels in Atlantic City? None of the casino hotels in Atlantic City allows guests to bring pets into their rooms for overnight stays.  However, the Atlantic City Pet Hotel – owned by a Seven Stars cardholder – is a great alternative if you need to travel with your dog or cat.  An exclusive 365-days-a-year 24-hour pet hotel, as well as a full-service pet salon, there are daily rates for short- and long-term stays, and pickup and drop-off services are available for an additional charge. You can visit any day of the week, and – at no extra charge – take your pet out with you to “The Dog Beach”, a beautiful stretch of sandy, white beach on the Atlantic Ocean about a 15-minute drive away.  While rates are subject to change, currently, daily charges are $25 for small dogs, $30 for medium and $35 for large; cats are $20.  There is a two-night minimum on national holidays.  For complete information call (609) 348-8660.

‘Do you take advantage of all the annual Seven Stars benefits (dinner, trip, gift, Signature Events)?’

While many respondents claim they take advantage of everything – except, in some cases, the Signature events because of scheduling conflicts or they just didn’t care for the location, quite a few players said they’ve missed out on the annual trip.  “I just forgot to book it” was the most common reason.  “I travel so much on business that the thought of getting on another plane was not appealing,” said others in one form or another.  “We’ve done the annual dinner,” reports another player, “but rarely spent the entire $500 because it was just the two of us.”  A number of others said they forgot to order their annual gift, but it wasn’t a “big deal” for them.

‘Have you ever earned the requisite 100,000 tier points (or more) in a calendar year, but were denied the Seven Stars player’s card?’

Many players believe that earning 100,000 tier points will automatically grant Seven Stars status.  To the contrary, players must be invited – after earning the minimum 100,000 points.  Have you been denied Seven Stars status, or do you know anyone who has?  Send me an email (sevenstarsinsider@gmail.com) and I’ll share your thoughts – anonymously, of course – with everyone in a future newsletter.

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