NJ Casino News: Weekly Roundup

Get the latest casino news and updates in New Jersey for this week (July 10, 2021 – July 16, 2021).

AC Casinos Set New Revenue Record

Showing that business is bouncing back after last year’s shutdowns, Atlantic City Casinos set a new monthly record for gross gambling revenue in June. The city’s casinos earned more than $345 million:

That figure was nearly four times as much as the nine casinos won last June, when they were closed due to the coronavirus outbreak. Starting next month, the year-to-year comparisons will become valid again as most casinos reopened on or near July 2, 2020.

When sports betting money won by three racetracks is added to the equation, the June total rises to nearly $393 million.

The Rat Pack Are Back at the Hard Rock

The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City will be bringing back the spirits of Rat Pack members Dean Martin, Frank Sinatra, and Sammy Davis Jr. with the show “Rat Pack: Back in Town.” It will be a musical and comedy show running on Saturdays and Sundays, featuring favorite Rat Pack songs:

People are going to get the unique experience of being transported back to the ’60s when the Rat Pack was THE show to see. So we’re kind of bringing back that flair and the retro vibe of that time period where everybody would dress up and go to the casinos. They can expect comedy, singing, a great band, great dancers and choreography. It’s an incredible Broadway-style production.

Atlantic City Jitney Service Returns to More Locations

Last weekend, the Atlantic City jitney shuttle service returned to Cape May, Avalon, and Stone Harbor. The service will run on Thursdays through Sundays for the remainder of the summer:

The resumption of this service between our two communities will be well-received by our residents, visitors and businesses as a safe transportation alternative between our two tourism destinations, and we are thrilled that we could come to an agreement for everyone’s benefit,” [Avalon Mayor Martin] Pagliughi said in a statement.

Boogie Nights to Reopen at the Tropicana

Boogie Nights, the disco-themed dance club right off the casino floor at the Tropicana Atlantic City, has just reopened after being closed due to COVID. They threw open the doors on July 15 and will be open Thursdays through Saturdays. Atlantic City residents and visitors alike who love everything retro will want to return:

While others have traditionally keyed on contemporary “EDM” (electronic dance music), Boogie Nights celebrates the music and popular culture of the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s—complete with posters and other artifacts, as well as characters and mascots including the iconic “Roller Girl” (both the disco’s name and its signature character pay homage to Boogie Nights, the 1997 film about the porn industry of the late-1970s and early-’80 starring Burt Reynolds and Mark Wahlberg).

Harrah’s Brings Back the Magic

Another form of entertainment coming back to Atlantic City casinos is the magic show. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City is bringing in Masters of Illusion — The Live Tour, to be presented in conjunction with the CW network series. Magicians Michael Turco, Chipper Lowell and Dan Sperry will present the family-friendly entertainment:

Turco … is the most traditional of the trio. His is a straightforward, if bright and engaging, approach that favors standard illusions like levitation and making the show’s female assistants disappear and reappear.

Lowell presents himself as a hyper-caffeinated wiseacre … He is a first-rate and funny (if silly) entertainer and a joy to watch, especially when he is (frequently) interacting with audience members.

Sperry is the no-frills production’s wild card … He introduces himself with some nifty conjuring of birds from thin air. However, his later turns inject welcome edginess into the proceedings with segments that tread firmly on the turf staked out by Penn & Teller (which means blood is ostensibly spilled).

Hard Rock To Be Featured in SI Swimsuit

Hard Rock International partnered with Sports Illustrated for the upcoming 2021 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue. The launch will be celebrated with a private concert and series of events next weekend at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, Florida. But Atlantic City has a prominent place within the edition, too:

The 2021 Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition was shot at four prominent Hard Rock properties including Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Sacramento, Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Hollywood, FL and Seminole Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tampa to provide musically inclined scenes within this year’s pages.