Borgata debuts big promotion; Paris Hilton sighting

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Borgata debuts big promotion; Paris Hilton sighting

Published: Thursday, October 02, 2008

Since Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa arrived in 2003, its promotions have mostly been over the top, including giving away 1,000 slot dollars every 15 minutes for an extended period of time.

The casino launched its most aggressive promotion on Wednesday as it is offering five-times slot dollars for the entire month of October for all of its cardholders, no matter what level they are at.

To put things in perspective, most casinos offer two- or three-times slot dollar money for a couple of hours or maybe a couple of days geared toward high-end players, but five-times slot dollars for an entire month is pretty unheard of, particularly since it's offered to everyone who signs up for a free Borgata players' card.

"We're basically giving people five-times their base investment," says Larry Mullin, Borgata's president and chief operating office. "If you're a slot player, you know that there are not many deals better than that. This is unprecedented for Borgata. We've done multipliers of that nature on different tiers, but this is for everyone."

Like all casinos, slot dollars at Borgata are awarded to players based on a formula that considers average bet, time spent gambling and other factors. During this promotion, players who earn one slot dollar will receive five slot dollars that can be used for gambling on their next visit. Comp dollars, which can be used for meals, rooms and entertainment, will generate at the usual rate.

Mullin says the economy and the Pennsylvania, New York and Delaware slot parlors mean everyone in town has to up the ante to attract guests.

"We just want to put out the best possible offer we can for a customer to make them visit Borgata as opposed to everywhere else," Mullin says. "Maybe some people have been visiting Pennsylvania and New York, and we're reaching out and saying this is as good of a deal as you'll find. It's a very expensive promotion, but we believe it's something that is right for our business at this time - and it's a great deal for our customers."

Celebrity sightings

It was a huge celebrity weekend for Borgata last week as one of the biggest celebrities on the planet - Paris Hilton - showed up with beau and Good Charlotte guitarist Benji Madden. They stayed at The Water Club, as did Madden's brother and bandmate Joel (who is dating Nicole Richie). All three went to the Borgata Poker Room and played there until their DJ set at mur.mur on Saturday night. The mur.mur girls and associates wore "Paris for President" buttons to support her "FunnyOrDie.com" campaign spoof. Hilton told Borgata execs that she wants to come back maybe as soon as December.

New Kids on the Block, who performed a sold-out show at Borgata on Saturday, hosted an afterparty at mixx, where Donnie Wahlberg and Joey McIntyre grabbed the mic and sang two new songs to packed house. They told the crowd they were having such a great time, they couldn't wait to return for their second show at Borgata in November.

Also, Alanis Morissette, who performed at Borgata, was having her own romantic soiree with her current boyfriend while her ex, Ryan Reynolds, was busy marrying Scarlett Johansson in Canada. Morissette hosted an intimate party for her beau at Izakaya, celebrating with a birthday cake and special menu prepared by Chef Michael Schulson.

Lynda Carter, in town for her jazzy stage show that ended at Harrah's Atlantic City last weekend, went out in style, dining at Morton's, The Steakhouse inside Caesars and also partying at Boogie Nights at Resorts Atlantic City, where she posed for pictures with fans and signed autographs.

A.C. Country
Club honored

The Atlantic City Country Club operated by Harrah's Entertainment was recently named one of the "Top 100 Courses You Can Play" by GOLF Magazine. The country club was featured in the September issue of the magazine, which reaches 1.4 million subscribers and another million at its Web site, www.golf.com.

HOB sighting

If you're a fan of country star Garry Allan, you probably already saw his new video, "Learning How to Bend." But did you know that most of the video was filmed this spring at the House of Blues at the Showboat Casino-Hotel.

All of the stage shots with Allan and his band are from the HOB, plus you'll also notice the Foundation Room, the Steel Pier and more.

Check it out at
umgnashville.com. cmt.com or YouTube.

Gilda's luncheon
successful at Palm

Last week's 4th annual "Movers. Shakers. Difference Makers. Luncheon" at The Palm at The Quarter in the Tropicana Casino and Resort, was immensely successful, raising more than $70,0000 for Gilda's Club South Jersey.

Special guest of honor Howard Stoeckel, president and CEO of Wawa, Inc., addressed the audience regarding the need for continuous community support and the importance of charities like Gilda's Club, which provides places where people with cancer and their families and friends join with others to build social and emotional support as a supplement to medical care. Gilda's unveiled its new home at 700 New Road in Linwood, where the organization will reside in early 2009.

"Mistress of Ceremonies" and Fox 29 anchor Dawn Stensland was on hand, as were event co-chairs Lynn and Michael Dooley and Barbara and Dennis Gomes.

"As the official home of the 'Movers. Shakers. Difference Makers.' fundraiser, The Palm is proud to donate our restaurant, food and service," says Paul Sandler, general manager of The Palm. "Every year we surpass the previous luncheon and have raised more than $260,000 over the past four events."

Between the luncheon and a summer fundraiser hosted by the Gomes, more than $95,000 was raised for the charity.

'Harvest of Hope'
at Caesars

"Harvest of Hope," a gala wine tasting, menu sampling and charity auction, will be held 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. at Caesars' Palladium Ballroom to support The Alcove Center for Grieving Children and Their Families.

The $75 per person event will feature more than 200 wines from around the world and taste signature dishes from eight restaurants, including Mia, Nero's Grill, Primavera, KWI Noodle Bar and Restaurant and Morton's The Steakhouse, all located at Caesars, plus Sonsie Steak, Seafood and Chophouse on The Pier Shops at Caesars, The Knife and Fork Inn in Atlantic City and Doc's Place in Somers Point.

The event will also feature a silent auction of a variety of merchandise and a live auction that includes a one-of-a-kind Laura Gibson necklace worth nearly $5,000 that is donated by Bernie Robbins Fine Jewelers.

Based in Northfield, The Alcove is a non-profit charity that helps children and families through the grieving process following the death of a loved one.

For "Harvest of Hope" reservations, call The Alcove at 609-484-1133.