NJ Casino News: Weekly Roundup

Get the latest casino news and updates in New Jersey for this week (June 5, 2021 – June 11, 2021)

Hard Rock To Offer Its Own VIP Chartered Jet Service

Starting July 16, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City is going to start a charter jet service for high-rollers. The service, which is a collaboration with Ultimate Jet Charters, will be called Hard Rock Air:

“We are confident that Hard Rock Air is going to take our VIP guest experience to new heights and offer a convenient, seamless getaway that is unmatched in the market,” Hard Rock Atlantic City President Joe Lupo said in a statement.

Cities served initially by the charter service are Farmingdale, NY; White Plains, NY; Scranton, PA; Latrobe, PA; Norfolk, VA; Richmond, VA; Baltimore; and Cincinnati.

The service includes complimentary airport parking as well as in-flight beverage and snack service. Patrons also will receive overnight accommodations at the casino and round-trip transportation to Atlantic City International Airport.

AC Casinos Slow to Bring Back Buffets

Much like smoking indoors, buffets at Atlantic City casinos were put on pause during 2020 and into 2021 due to COVID restrictions. Casinos are open again and Gov. Phil Murphy lifted buffet restrictions in May, but no casinos have reopened their buffets yet:

The biggest reason why casino operators may be reluctant to bring back buffets is the most obvious one: cost. The high cost of labor and the financial loss on wasted products means they are not moneymakers.

During the height of the pandemic last year multiple casino operators said, rather bluntly, that buffets would not be part of their long-term strategies.

“From our standpoint, we’ve been vocal in the past that buffets are an inefficient way to market to customers,” Reeg said last year. “They’re very costly; you lose a lot of money there.”

Caesars Appoints New Regional President

John Koster has been appointed as the new regional president of Caesars Entertainment, Inc.’s Eastern Division. He had previously been the senior vice president of the company’s properties in Lake Tahoe, but now he’ll oversee its Atlantic City properties, which include Caesars, Tropicana, and Harrah’s:

“John’s in-depth knowledge of the gaming industry, as well as his passion for going all in on service, make him the logical choice to lead our East Coast properties into the future,” Caesars President and Chief Operating Officer Anthony Carano said in a news release. “The next three years, particularly in Atlantic City, will be an exciting time for our Company with $400 million in upgrades and enhancements planned at our resorts. Our master capital plan will undoubtedly transform Atlantic City as a top destination market, and I am confident that under John’s leadership, our East Coast properties will be well-positioned for long-term success.”

Borgata’s 4th of July Show To Include Local American Idol Finalist

Mara Justine is an American Idol finalist, a resident of Galloway Township, and now a major performer at the Independence Day fireworks show at Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa:

Justine will sing the national anthem ahead of the fireworks show, scheduled for 9:20 p.m. Public viewing is available from the surface lot starting at 6 p.m., with self-parking at $5 and valet parking at $10.

The 20-minute show will be choreographed to music. It can be heard on radio station WAYV-FM 95.1.

Justine competed on “American Idol” during its 2018 season. She made it into that season’s top 14 finalists before being eliminated.

Atlantic City To Receive Economic Development Grant

Atlantic City, as well as Paterson and Trenton, will receive grant money from the New Jersey Economic Development Authority to help get stalled projects underway. Atlantic City had been hit hard by the Great Recession and then COVID-19 closures, which all had major impacts on the local economy and employment. Funding for this grant comes from a larger economic incentive package to help target cities develop and start redevelopment plans:

“As we move forward from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is vital that we ensure communities that were hit the hardest have the support they need to come back stronger and ready for long-term growth,” reads a June 9 statement from Tim Sullivan, who heads the NJEDA.

“In this way, the program will provide immediate, tangible benefits for these communities while setting the stage for them to thrive,” he said.

Bally’s Looking Ahead to Sports Betting and Online Casinos

Soo Kim, the chairman of Bally’s Corporation, said that the company is looking to soon become a major player in the sports betting world as well as online gambling:

“We’re in a mature business [with land-based casinos],” Kim said. “But we decided the future is online and we needed to disrupt ourselves. There is a future in land-based — there’s an experience, the food, that atmosphere, but online is so much more convenient, ubiquitous.”