Atlantic City Open Forum
Quote: GWAEI gotta say, when I was there over the summer I saw a ton of these people. I bet they are few and far between during the winter months. I feel very safe even late at night during the summer. I don't know that I would feel the same during the winter.
I still see them around. But I never venture far out of the high traffic casino areas and the boardwalk right near the casinos. I imagine that is the main area they stay in in the winter as well. According the the link posted above there is only about 15 additional ones in the summer so its not a huge difference in man power, especially considering how few people there are in AC in the winter (the ratio in the winter is probably actually higher).
Quote: GandlerI never venture far out of the high traffic casino areas and the boardwalk right near the casinos.
Scary things are that, as described, he was steps from Resorts , & it was not in the middle of the night
"Police say the off-duty Middletown police officer was ****on the boardwalk*** in the area of South Carolina avenue when the men approached him around ***8:45*** last night. "
http://www.nbc40.net/story/24645820/ac-police-searching-for-three-men-after-officer-robbed-at-gunpoint
Quote: 7star4nowScary things are that, as described, he was steps from Resorts , & it was not in the middle of the night
"Police say the off-duty Middletown police officer was ****on the boardwalk*** in the area of South Carolina avenue when the men approached him around ***8:45*** last night. "
http://www.nbc40.net/story/24645820/ac-police-searching-for-three-men-after-officer-robbed-at-gunpoint
That is scary. But they must have them on the casino surveillance camera if it was right out front, hopefully they catch them. That makes me rethink walking on the boardwalk by myself especially with cash and chips in my pocket.
http://www.philly.com/philly/business/20140207_Revel_casino_an_unfulfilled_vision.html
To help ensure the AC market can NEVER grow, even if future economic conditions improve?:
"Senator Jim Whelan believes that putting a deed restriction on the Atlantic Club property could impact the future of Atlantic City's gaming. But that's exactly what Caesar's Entertainment, which owns the former casino, is trying to do - creating a condition for the sale that would prohibit it from ever being used as a casino.
"It's in the casino zone, it's in the tourist district, it's right on the boardwalk. Why should we allow Caesar's to restrict what the use could be going forward?"
The Senator argues that the deed restriction is against current law, which forbids one licensee from having undue economic concentration – right now, Caesar's owns and operates four properties in Atlantic City.
"It puts a stranglehold on a property like that and in sometime in the future, four to five years down the road when the casino industry itself rebounds, there's no reason that another casino couldn't open,"
http://www.nbc40.net/story/24721070/concerns-over-future-use-of-atlantic-club-property
Quote: 7star4now"...when the casino industry itself rebounds, there's no reason that another casino couldn't open,"
That's cute.
In all seriousness, is there any reason why Caesar's should not be permitted to place any restriction it wants on whoever wants to buy the property? Property sales have restrictions, one of the restrictions that have generated a few jobs in this area is the ability of a seller (from years ago) to retain the mineral rights to the property.
If Caesar's has such a restriction, a prospective buyer will either have use for the property (and buy it) or will not have use for the property and will not buy it. The only thing that Senator Jim Whelan is against is the building being used for something that will not generate tax revenues over-and-above what could normally be expected for a non-gaming business.
Quote: GWAEI gotta say, when I was there over the summer I saw a ton of these people. I bet they are few and far between during the winter months. I feel very safe even late at night during the summer. I don't know that I would feel the same during the winter.
I had to go back through the thread to find out what the hell everyone was talking about. I never leave the casinos when I'm in AC, there's nothing there that I can't do or get cheaper and safer back home.
Quote: MoscaI had to go back through the thread to find out what the hell everyone was talking about. I never leave the casinos when I'm in AC, there's nothing there that I can't do or get cheaper and safer back home.
we enjoy the boardwalk. We will walk the entire thing slowly and just enjoy the night sky.
It's tough to compete when an incompetent and corrupt government is trying to run the show. Is anybody keeping count of how many AC mayors have gone to jail?Quote: BobVBI still wonder why any other entertainment provider never made an attempt to revitalize the boardwalk. It seems to me that there is some other reason for the lack of interest. I thought that after they got the airport problem solved that there would be more growth.
Quote: SanchoPanzaIt's tough to compete when an incompetent and corrupt government is trying to run the show. Is anybody keeping count of how many AC mayors have gone to jail?
I thought the count was "all of them".
Quote: vendman1I thought the count was "all of them".
I don't think Jim "double dipper" Whelan ever went to jail.
Quote: 1BBI don't think Jim "double dipper" Whelan ever went to jail.
Ah...lets consider him the exception that proves the rule :)
Quote: Mission146That's cute.
In all seriousness, is there any reason why Caesar's should not be permitted to place any restriction it wants on whoever wants to buy the property? Property sales have restrictions, one of the restrictions that have generated a few jobs in this area is the ability of a seller (from years ago) to retain the mineral rights to the property.
Are you from NJ???
If not, the question is : Why, and/or for how much did a NJ judge allow CET to buy the property to begin with, when they were not the high bidder?
The deed restriction is akin to simply "moving traffic cones" kinda thing, an "after the fact" perk that goes on in NJ politics...
I say AC casinos offer Oscar Goodman $10mil/yr to take the AC Mayor job, they all make a fortune, AC comes back.
Gee Having casinos has sure been a boom for the residents of AC.
Quote: BuzzardAC population 40,000 Average Median Income 30,000 ...25% Poverty
Gee Having casinos has sure been a boom for the residents of AC.
Without the casinos it would have been a population of 1000 vagrants and 5000 feral cats with a combined income of $15 pa :)
Quote: BuzzardIn 1980 the population was 40,000.
And there were already casinos there in 1980 correct?
I'm living proof....people don't live inside of Atlantic City for a very long time, they are much more transitory or migratory than the people who live in and move to Nevada (Las Vegas) and we all know how many people come and go in LV.
AC is just not a very nice place to live....doesn't mean the townships around AC aren't nice....Absecon, Egg Harbor township, Ocean City, Brigantine and so on and so forth......just don't live inside of AC.
Quote: BuzzardWhat I meant to say was was the bag man for the casinos took the money all over Joisey, and damn little of it was spent in rebuilding Atlantic City. AC was a nice place in the 50's when my family would vacation there.
Gotcha :)
Quote: BuzzardIn 1980 the population was 40,000. And it was the most popular tourist destination in the United States.
crazy how it used to be that, and now it's a shell of it's former self. I wonder when Las Vegas will go through this change.....
Quote: djatccrazy how it used to be that, and now it's a shell of it's former self. I wonder when Las Vegas will go through this change.....
Las Vegas has, it could be argued, multiple times.
Quote: BuzzardAC was a nice place in the 50's when my family would vacation there.
What really did in AC ,was ,"AC" (air conditioning).
If you look at old pics of Coney Island etc , it seems as if over half the population of NYC spent summer days at the shore, with no alternative.
Quote: Dicenor33I might be over optimistic, but with such high cost of travel and uniqueness of the location, the real estate boom is on the way.
I hope that is sarcasm.
Hollywood Casino WV hasn't lowered their minimums or significantly improved their table game rules or slot or dining selections, and as a result people don't see a justification to go there over MD Live, as evidenced by their declining revenue. The Boardwalk AC properties haven't done much to lure back players from MD or PA, either in property upgrades or in seriously good room discount/free play offers that make it worthwhile to visit.
You would think so but the corporate tentacles in other areas have to be fed too. The competing interests take priority from Atlantic City fighting for its pride and survival. I'm optimistic for the casinos there more than recently because the Atlantic Club closing is going to create more demand for what's left.Quote: silversonic2006If casinos want to stay competitive (and this goes well beyond AC), they have to keep adapting to offer a product that justifies the cost of visiting their property, something unique their competitors don't provide. Otherwise, people will naturally go to the casino that is most convenient for them.
Hollywood Casino WV hasn't lowered their minimums or significantly improved their table game rules or slot or dining selections, and as a result people don't see a justification to go there over MD Live, as evidenced by their declining revenue. The Boardwalk AC properties haven't done much to lure back players from MD or PA, either in property upgrades or in seriously good room discount/free play offers that make it worthwhile to visit.
It was more about travel costs and travel times. There are many places around the country which have disappeared as local resorts since those days. I can see it being a mitigating factor now, but it wasn't then.Quote: 7star4nowWhat really did in AC ,was ,"AC" (air conditioning).
If you look at old pics of Coney Island etc , it seems as if over half the population of NYC spent summer days at the shore, with no alternative.
Better beaches, family friendly boardwalk, neighborhood stores, etc.
Been a while, but hope to check it out this summer.
Quote: Tomspur
AC is just not a very nice place to live....doesn't mean the townships around AC aren't nice....Absecon, Egg Harbor township, Ocean City, Brigantine and so on and so forth......just don't live inside of AC.
Where do most of the employees live? I once heard a "rumor" there was a ferry from Philly but never confirmed it.
Quote: silversonic2006If casinos want to stay competitive (and this goes well beyond AC), they have to keep adapting to offer a product that justifies the cost of visiting their property, something unique their competitors don't provide. Otherwise, people will naturally go to the casino that is most convenient for them.
I think Revel attempted this with "No Smoking" and actually having a beautiful property that was clean.
Quote: aceofspadesI think Revel attempted this with "No Smoking" and actually having beautiful property that was clean.
I could have an immaculate hotel that costs next-to-nothing and otherwise caters to your every need, but if I were to demand that every guest be kicked straight in the testicles by me, while I am wearing steel-toed boots, immediately upon checking in, I doubt if they would return for another stay.
Quote: Mission146I could have an immaculate hotel that costs next-to-nothing and otherwise caters to your every need, but if I were to demand that every guest be kicked straight in the testicles by me, while I am wearing steel-toed boots, immediately upon checking in, I doubt if they would return for another stay.
I usually pay extra for that service :)
Quote: Mission146I could have an immaculate hotel that costs next-to-nothing and otherwise caters to your every need, but if I were to demand that every guest be kicked straight in the testicles by me, while I am wearing steel-toed boots, immediately upon checking in, I doubt if they would return for another stay.
If I were getting 4 nights free in the middle of the summer on the weekend and all of the other properties were $300 a night I would really have to think about it.
My guess is the things going against MD Live (traffic/parking, absurdly high table limits, big crowds) will also be issues at Horseshoe and MGM, and Charles Town could choose to portray itself as a fun, easy to access casino where you don't have to wait around or break the bank to play your favorite slot/table game. The question is would that strategy bring in enough money to make Penn happy.
Quote: GWAEIf I were getting 4 nights free in the middle of the summer on the weekend and all of the other properties were $300 a night I would really have to think about it.
You and me both, except replace, "$300," with, "$100." LOL
Quote: wudgedI've actually heard a few ads from Charles Town about the ease of parking there. I'm not sure they would advertise not having to wait around as it makes the casino sound like a dead, boring place to play (it is.)
No, really, please come. Double-parking? We're good with that. Parking East/West across three North/South running spots? Don't worry about it. Eighteen-Wheeler? Just run over our shrubbery, nobody cares anyway. The sidewalk? Sure, why not, you're the only one using it, anyway, go ahead and park there.
Weekday parking was usually $5 and the casino charged $10 on Monday.
Table minimums were raised from $5 and $10 to $15.
I think the biggest ripoff was the buffet at Caesars. I was there at 3pm. I had a comp for the buffet so it didn't bother me.
I was shocked that the price was $37.99!!!
I heard many people complaining about the price. One couple, after eating at the buffet, was leaving and I heard them say "*%#@ this place. I'm never coming here again".
And that is part of the problem with AC. Instead of welcoming patrons, they took advantage of the patrons who visited on their day off.
They could have kept the parking at $5, kept the lower table limits and charged less for the buffet.
It's all casino greed. I'm sure many of those patrons will think twice about visiting AC again.
Quote: FatGeezusYesterday was Presidents Day and a day off for many. The AC casinos were packed and the casinos took advantage of the crowds.
Weekday parking was usually $5 and the casino charged $10 on Monday.
Table minimums were raised from $5 and $10 to $15.
I think the biggest ripoff was the buffet at Caesars. I was there at 3pm. I had a comp for the buffet so it didn't bother me.
I was shocked that the price was $37.99!!!
I heard many people complaining about the price. One couple, after eating at the buffet, was leaving and I heard them say "*%#@ this place. I'm never coming here again".
And that is part of the problem with AC. Instead of welcoming patrons, they took advantage of the patrons who visited on their day off.
They could have kept the parking at $5, kept the lower table limits and charged less for the buffet.
It's all casino greed. I'm sure many of those patrons will think twice about visiting AC again.
I was in AC on Thursday and Friday. Pretty much all restaurants were closed. I had to eat at Johnny Rockets and Earl of Sandwich. Couldn't even find a single open restaurant that could take my TR $20 meal voucher (I later learned that Bills and the buffet at Harrah's were both open). I guess Caesar's had to charge $37.99 for the Monday buffet to make up for the $0 in revenue that it brought in from Wednesday night until Friday lunch.
And the excuses were great. I was standing with a couple at the entrance to the Caesar's buffet and talking to an employee about the restaurant situation. The employee claimed that the closures were due to lack of staff because the Parkway and NJ Transit trains were closed. The couple had driven down from NYC on the parkway. I rode in on the train from Philly. We told the employee that, and she just turned around and walked away.
There's definitely a cold east-coast "I don't care if you like it. You can take or leave what I'm willing to give you" vibe in AC. It's there at all of the casinos out here. But AC is the only place that's trying to operate as a tourist destination while also being so incredibly rude. Gosh, I wonder why they fail...If I wanted to be treated like dirt at a casino, I could just go to Valley Forge or Parx or Sugar House (all of which I passed on my way to the train to NJ).
Quote: FatGeezusYesterday was Presidents Day and a day off for many. The AC casinos were packed and the casinos took advantage of the crowds.
Weekday parking was usually $5 and the casino charged $10 on Monday.
Table minimums were raised from $5 and $10 to $15.
I think the biggest ripoff was the buffet at Caesars. I was there at 3pm. I had a comp for the buffet so it didn't bother me.
I was shocked that the price was $37.99!!!
I heard many people complaining about the price. One couple, after eating at the buffet, was leaving and I heard them say "*%#@ this place. I'm never coming here again".
And that is part of the problem with AC. Instead of welcoming patrons, they took advantage of the patrons who visited on their day off.
They could have kept the parking at $5, kept the lower table limits and charged less for the buffet.
It's all casino greed. I'm sure many of those patrons will think twice about visiting AC again.
The Connecticut casinos were very crowded as well but I managed 45 minutes of productive blackjack. I knew it was President's day but had forgotten how crowded it could get. Monday is senior day at Mohegan Sun and that only compounded the problem.
If I may drift for a moment, a friend of mine owns an inn where George Washington spent the night. That claim is often heard here in New England but my friend has historical documentation. What's that some of the guys say here? Pics or it didn't happen? Me? I'm going to need a credit card receipt or a Priceline printout. :-)
List “reprehensible and wrong” says A.C. spokesman.
By Victor Fiorillo | August 7, 2013 at 3:50 pm
Atlantic City may have the cheapest airport in the country and some of the most authentic Vietnamese food around, but it’s also one of the most unfriendly cities in the world and in the U.S., according to two separate worst of lists published by Conde Nast Traveler. Close to 50,000 readers cast their votes in an annual readers’ choice poll.
http://www.phillymag.com/news/2013/08/07/conde-nast-atlantic-city-worlds-unfriendly-places/
Quote: silversonic2006Oh I know it's corporate strategy, and Charles Town has long been the crown jewel/cash cow of Penn National, from what I've read. The competition for them, however, is going to be much, much worse in the next 2 years with MGM Nat'l Harbor and Horseshoe coming on board.
My guess is the things going against MD Live (traffic/parking, absurdly high table limits, big crowds) will also be issues at Horseshoe and MGM, and Charles Town could choose to portray itself as a fun, easy to access casino where you don't have to wait around or break the bank to play your favorite slot/table game. The question is would that strategy bring in enough money to make Penn happy.
Penn National biggest trouble is Penn National. They bought Bullwhackers in Colorado when it had the best poker room, big parking lot, in house bakery and deli, good restaurant. Reopened Silver Hawk and bought a smaller casino adjacent to them. Also bought the only gas station for miles around .
