We're back & ready to welcome you. Get all the details here. Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack 1 South Stone Street Wheeling, WV 26003 (304) 232.
– The Big Easy Casino, formerly known as the Mardi Gras Casino, is now open after it was refurbished to fix damage from Hurricane Irma. Getting to this point has not been easy for the former. With so much winning action at Golden Gates Casino, Golden Mardi Gras Casino and Golden Gulch Casino, players can work up an appetite (and a thirst!). That’s why we offer four restaurants and four bar for all your dining and drinking needs.
Senate members in West Virginia issued a letter to Gov. Jim Justice regarding the state’s plans to “open for business.”
- Glad that Mardi Gras finally opened. Visited the Casino on Wed June 11, 2020 for a couple of hours. They took temps upon entering and made sure we had a mask. I noticed that as soon as a player left a machine; there was an employee disinfecting immediately.
- Along with Golden Gates and Golden Gulch, the 2-decade old Mardi Gras Casino hypes up the community with a phased reopening on July 17, 2020. Even with limited operations, people still have plenty of choices on how to unwind and unpack the stress. Continue reading Mardi Gras Casino in Colorado.
Several Republicans, including Sen. Mike Maroney and Senate Majority Leader Tom Takubo, sent a letter to Justice urging that the state start to reopen.
While a lot of states within the US still have some sort of “stay-at-home” orders in place, others are beginning the process of opening up certain types of business.
Since the Mountain State hasn’t been affected nearly as bad as other areas of the country, some state leaders think it’s time to get the ball rolling.
Both Maroney and Takubo are actually physicians. They, along with many others, want normalcy returning to the state sooner than later.
Senate Majority Whip, Ryan Weld, is in the same boat. According to The Intelligencer, Weld said:
“The time is now to begin planning. We have to be cautious, and we have to take into consideration the advice of medical experts as we begin planning over the next couple of weeks.”
The five retail WV casinos were shut down more than a month ago when Justice implemented the executive order.
Although COVID-19 is still affecting many in the US, daily cases are decreasing regularly. Since WV was not hit as hard as other locations in the country, it could conceivably be one of the first back up and running.
Opening WV casinos and other non-essential businesses
It’s a very difficult time for leaders in every state in the US. Getting residents back to work is essential, but so is keeping everyone healthy and out of harm’s way.
Of course, opening businesses back up will help the nation’s economy, however, is it worth the risk if the coronavirus continues to spread?
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Although the WV leadership that wrote this letter to Justice preach taking precaution, parts of the message don’t. The letter reads:
“I have spoken with business leaders, colleagues in the Legislature, and most importantly, many constituents. Although opinions vary, the vast majority are very concerned that new rules and regulations will be an overreaction and the pendulum will swing too far in the direction of undue restrictions. In other words, there is a very real fear that further drastic changes will adversely affect West Virginia businesses and all West Virginians.”
While the financial ramifications of the coronavirus are substantial and only growing, health will always be more important. If businesses don’t take proper safety measures and another outbreak occurs, the state will be worse off than now.
The message to the governor continued:
“If we do make drastic changes, West Virginia will be at risk for significant long-term unemployment and a substantial decrease in state revenue, which would lead to a loss of vital state programs that benefit so many throughout our state. If this were to happen, the unemployment, poverty, and hopelessness brought on by COVID-19 may have the potential to create more havoc in West Virginia than the disease itself.”
Although they make a point, there’s no way a pandemic virus that’s claimed thousands of American lives can be understated. WV and every other state in the country should return back to normal at a pace that prioritizes everyone’s health.
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Impact on WV sportsbooks and casinos
WV sportsbooks and casinos would be two businesses directly impacted when and how the state reopens.
Since there are no mobile casino apps in WV just yet, all casino revenue comes from retail casino operations. Sports wagering can still be conducted on the three WV online sportsbooks available:
It makes sense that casino operators would be in favor of getting people back on the gaming floor as fast as possible. Not to mention, the state budget could certainly use some of the gambling revenue that it was getting prior to the shutdown.
And although online sports betting exists, three of the five WV casinos don’t feature a mobile sportsbook:
- Mountaineer Casino
- Mardi Gras
- WheelingIsland
All three need retail wagering to return in order to see any profits. Even if they do open, they still will be missing one key component for sports betting – sports.
The reality is that opening up too quickly could prove to be detrimental.
In spite of the letter sent to Justice, it seems likely that casinos will need to take plenty of caution when they open. This may include fewer seats, tables, and slots to help encourage more social distancing.
| Showboat Atlantic City | |
|---|---|
| General information | |
| Location | Atlantic City, New Jersey |
| Address | 801 Boardwalk[1] |
| Opening | March 30, 1987 (as casino/hotel) July 8, 2016 (as hotel only) |
| Renovated | 2003, 2007, 2016 |
| Closed | August 31, 2014 (as casino/hotel) |
| Owner | Bart Blatstein |
| Other information | |
| Number of rooms | 1,331[2] |
| Website | |
| showboathotelac.com | |
| Theme | New Orleans, Mardi Gras |
| Total gaming space | 127,978 sq ft (11,889.5 m2)[2] |
| Casino type | Land-based |
The Showboat Atlantic City is a hotel and former casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey. The Showboat opened as a casino hotel in 1987 and closed in 2014; the hotel reopened in 2016. It is owned by developer Bart Blatstein.[3]
History[edit]
On March 30, 1987, the Showboat Hotel, Casino and Bowling Center opened with a 60,000-square-foot (5,600 m2) casino and a 60-lane bowling alley,[4] The complex was built on land leased from Resorts International,[5] just north of the under-construction Resorts Taj Mahal (which became the Trump Taj Mahal upon opening in 1990, now reopening as the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City). The grand opening ceremony featured Bob Hope and Al Hirt.[4]
The Showboat opened the city's first racebook in 1993, following the legalization in 1990 of casino simulcast wagering.[6]
Steelman Partners completed a major renovation in 1995, creating a Mardi Gras theme.
In 1998, the property's parent company, Showboat, Inc., was purchased by Harrah's Entertainment, later known as Caesars Entertainment.
With the popularity of bowling on the decline, the bowling alley was closed in 2001, and the space was used for a new buffet and a coffee shop.[7]
In May 2003, the Showboat added a 544-room, $90 million hotel tower called the Orleans Tower. In 2007, the hotel remodeled its original tower, the Bourbon Tower.
In the past decade, many improvements were made to the establishment, including a new hotel tower and a House of Blues on the boardwalk, along with a complete renovation of the boardwalk facade.
In June 2014, Caesars Entertainment announced the planned closure of the Showboat, even though the property was profitable. The move was made in an effort to stabilize Caesars's other Atlantic City casinos.[8][9] After a buyer could not be found, the Showboat closed on August 31, 2014, at 4:00 p.m. It employed 2,100 people, but 470 of them were immediately hired at other Caesars casinos.[10] The shutdown came amid a wave of closures of Atlantic City properties, with four of the city's casinos closing in 2014.
On December 13, 2014, Richard Stockton College (later Stockton University) purchased the Showboat for $18 million, with plans to develop a full-service residential campus awarding undergraduate and graduate degrees and other professional training programs.[11][12] The plan was derailed by legal issues, and Stockton sold the property to Philadelphia developer Bart Blatstein for $23 million in January 2016.[3][13][14][15][16][17]
Blatstein announced in June 2016 that the Showboat would reopen the following month as a non-gaming hotel.[18] The 'new' Showboat Atlantic City Hotel opened July 8, accepting reservations and welcoming guests. The new hotel features only one restaurant, bar and coffee shop. The former casino space and House of Blues areas are currently closed indefinitely and decorated with images of Atlantic City.
In February 2018, Blatstein took a preliminary step toward applying for a casino license for the property. Blatstein said 'There is over a billion dollars worth of investment in that part of the town that should not be ignored,' referring to the reopening of two shuttered casinos next to the Showboat, the Ocean Resort Casino and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino. Later that year, Blatstein also announced plans to convert 264 of the Showboat's hotel rooms into apartments.[19] In early 2019, Bart Blatstein was approved to apply for a casino license. Blatstein planned to build a new casino in the lot in between Showboat and Ocean Casino Resort. Due to a deed restriction placed on Showboat by Caesars Entertainment, the building may not be used as a casino, so building a new building was a way around it. The new casino was expected to break ground in 2020.[20] However, in December 2020, the New Jersey Casino Reinvestment Development Authority approved Blatstein's request for financial assistance to turn the space originally intended for a casino into a $100 million indoor water park. Blatstein also sought to have the park designated as an entertainment retail district project, allowing the park to qualify for up to $2.5 million in annual sales tax breaks for 20 years.[21]
Dining[edit]
Current Restaurants
- Worship Surf Bar
- Canal Street Coffee Shop
- 12 Bar
- Bricker's Burgers & More [22]
- Atlantic City Eatery
Former Restaurants
- Atlantic City Eatery
- Casa di Napoli
- Crossroads
- Foundation Room Dining
- French Quarter Buffet
- Royal Noodle House
- Scarduzio's Steak - Sushi - Lounge
- Sundeck Coffee Shop
- Starbucks Coffee
- Worship Surf Bar
Amenities[edit]
Showboat Gaming Floor
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Showboat has a 3,500 sq.ft. spa, a fitness center, a pool and two gift shops. Prior to the addition to the House of Blues, shows were performed in two venues, either the Mardi Gras Showroom or Mississippi Pavilion. Bob Hope was the first headliner at the resort. Other headliners included Phyllis Diller, Charo, The Judds, Ray Charles, The Spinners, Jack Jones, Alan King and Willie Nelson. Smaller Las Vegas-style revue shows were also sporadically booked in the Mardi Gras Showroom. The opening of The House of Blues in 2005 saw the entertainment bookings ranging from Cyndi LauperElvis Costello to the White Stripes to Erykah Badu. Boxing matches are held at the casino.[23]
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Upon the reopening of the Showboat, the hotel rebranded the former House of Blues as the Bourbon Room[24] which hosts concerts and other events. The hotel also introduced a video arcade called Starcade[25] and a glow-in-the-dark miniature golf course sponsored by Glow Golf[26] However, both the Starcade and Glow Golf establishments have closed.
See also[edit]
References[edit]
- ^Property Record for 801 Boardwalk, Atlantic City, NJ
- ^ abShowboat Atlantic City Review by Casino City
- ^ abJonathan Lai (January 15, 2016). 'Stockton completes Showboat sale to Blatstein'. Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on January 17, 2016. Retrieved 2016-01-16.
- ^ abDonald Janson (March 31, 1987). '12th casino hotel opens, with 60-lane attraction'. New York Times. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
- ^George Anastasia (February 11, 1986). 'Hearing focuses on Resorts as a redeveloper'. Philadelphia Inquirer.
- ^Mike Farrell (May 29, 1993). 'Casino welcomes horses'. The Record. Bergen County, NJ. Archived from the original on March 29, 2015. – via HighBeam (subscription required)
- ^Joe Bob Briggs (January 9, 2002). 'The Vegas Guy: Showboat Atlantic City'. UPI. Retrieved 2014-12-13.
- ^'Caesars closing Showboat Casino 'to stabilize our business in Atlantic City'' Breaking News pressofatlanticcity.com
- ^Showboat closes after 27 years in Atlantic City - News - NorthJersey.com
- ^https://web.archive.org/web/20140830182513/http://www.philly.com/philly/news/new_jersey/20140829_ap_3fe0a255bdfd4830ae3c3c79ef8c17a2.html
- ^Forand, Rebecca (December 12, 2014). 'Stockton buys Showboat for $18 million, creating 'Island campus''. South Jersey Times. Retrieved 2014-12-12.
- ^Trump Taj Mahal blocking Stockton University move to Showboat, says school president NJ.com
- ^Opinion: Showboat good for Stockton and A.C. - Opinion: Guest Writers - NorthJersey.com
- ^Stockton President Resigns Over Purchase of Bankrupt Showboat Casino - NJ Spotlight
- ^[1]
- ^New information indicates Stockton University broke N.J. law in purchasing Showboat casino - News - NorthJersey.com
- ^Costs from Stockton University's casino purchase grow - News - NorthJersey.com
- ^Wayne Parry (June 3, 2016). 'Atlantic City's Showboat is reopening — but without casino'. Seattle Times. AP. Retrieved 2016-06-03.
- ^David Danzis (October 24, 2018). 'Showboat may soon offer market-rate apartments'. Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
- ^Nicholas Huba (February 20, 2018). 'Is casino gaming returning to the Showboat?'. Press of Atlantic City. Retrieved 2018-10-26.
- ^Devin O'Connor (December 29, 2020). 'New Jersey Casino Authority Approves Tax Credits for Showboat Atlantic City Water Park'. Retrieved 2021-01-26.
- ^https://www.showboathotelac.com/atlantic-city-hotel
- ^'Boxing is making a comeback in Atlantic City'. pressofatlanticcity.com. Retrieved 2019-03-24.
- ^https://www.bourbonroomac.com
- ^https://starcade-ac.com/
- ^https://www.opryglowgolf.com/locations/atlantic-city-new-jersey-showboat-hotel
Is Mardi Gras Casino Open
External links[edit]
Mardi Gras Casino Open
Coordinates: 39°21′42″N74°25′5″W / 39.36167°N 74.41806°W
Mardi Gras Casino Florida Open
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