It didn’t feel like the Atlantic City casinos were spending so much on comps when I was a regular there, but maybe they were spending 40% of their revenues on comps as the Atlantic City Press reports. It seems as if casinos are making their comp investments even more than just the 40% average.

In September, the percentage of gaming wins reinvested in comps ranged from 36 percent at Trump Taj Mahal to a high of 56 percent at Resorts Casino Hotel.

“Because Resorts was in bankruptcy mode for so long, its base got eroded. We found ourselves in the bottom of the Grand Canyon. We’re having to spend more than someone who would just have to maintain their base,” Resorts chief Dennis Gomes said. “It costs a heck of a lot more money to unseat loyalty. Trying to get customers back from someone who’s already taken them away from you is very costly.”

The tactic seems to be working for Resorts as they were the only casino in Atlantic City to make more money in September versus last year.

The lone gainer in the market was Resorts Atlantic City, up 9% and showing positive results for the sixth time in 10 months, an achievement unmatched on the Boardwalk this year. Dennis Gomes‘ fiscal shock therapy and radical image makeover of the dowager have gotten Resorts’ numbers out of the doghouse.

While other casinos have been trying bobbing for pickles contests and giving away boob jobs, it’s good to see that straight up casino comps are working for Resorts. Perhaps Resorts found something in the old marketing adage – Keep It Simple Stupid.

I’m sure that comps aren’t the only reason for Resorts slow and steady turnaround, but it’s nice to see a casino in Atlantic City sticking to what has worked before.

Check out Two Way Hard Three for an in depth look at AC comps vs.Vegas.

I’ve watched exactly one episode of Amazing Race (when the show went through Las Vegas), and I only know a few people that watch the show.  In case any east coast readers are into this show you can audition for Amazing Race in Atlantic City at Trump Taj Mahal next weekend, September 3o.

Auditions will be held at the casino Boardwalk entrance on September 30, 2 p.m.-5 p.m. Please visit www.trumptaj.com to download an application in advance. Applications will also be available at the Taj on Sept. 30. It is recommended that contestants bring photographs and passports.

If you’re into world travel and doing stuff go for it! If you go, let me know how it was.

Amazing Race DVD

Last week Trump Entertainment Group announced that they were selling Steel Pier across the boardwalk from it’s Taj Mahal property.  If you have $2.5 million laying around you can own the pile of rotting wood over the ocean!

“That even confuses me more — $2.5 million isn’t going to do a whole lot of good for the debt of the company,” Gros said. “They need to get between $10 million and $15 million to even make a dent in their debt.”
…But the extremely low starting price for the Steel Pier auction might mean Trump is in more trouble than people think — and it could spell trouble for tax revenues, Gros said, noting that other pier and ocean-property owners might demand lower assessments if the Steel Pier sells for $2.5 million.

Trump Entertainment probably is in worse shape than the public may think.  This sale is likely an addition by subtraction scenario.  I can’t imagine Steel Pier has made a penny in the past 10 years and even though the money made from the sale will be small, they lessen a little financial burden while being able to focus more on their gaming business.

The history behind Steel Pier has been vast, so I’d love so see someone come in and keep it alive.  Check the video below and if you want more at home check the book below that.

Steel Pier Atlantic City

After jumping through a few hoops this week ECG should be fixed and easy to navigate.  This isn’t the 4.0 redesign that I’ve had in mind, but things should be optimized to make reading easy.  Optimization will continue as the summer ends.  Next up, at some point soon, will be a redesign as well as the unveiling of a new beta that I’ve been messing around with.  If you have a keen eye and are on twitter, you’re probably in the loop on that.

Football season started this week, so you’ll see plenty of sports action in the week in review.  Of course, you should check Bet Revolution if you are considering a new home for your sports betting.

• White House Subs Opening at the Taj Mahal
• SugarHouse in Philadelphia Opens Soon
• Football Pick Battle
• Fantasy Football: Running Backs
• Fantasy Football: Wide Receiver
• Fantasy Football: Tight End
• Fantasy Football Time!
• Trump Taj Mahal Getting Strip Club?
• ECG Interview – Stu Hoegner – An Introduction
• Seven Stars Insider – September Edition
• How Many Hotel Rooms In Las Vegas
• Resorts Has A New Owner
• How Will The Cosmopolitan Get Visitors?

Whitehouse subs is opening a 2nd location in Atlantic City.  This one will be at Trump Taj Mahal.  There are huge lines at the little sub joint and people love Whitehouse subs.

This should be a good thing for both the family and the casino.  Personally (of course), I think people love the thought of Whitehouse Subs more than the actual sandwiches which use below par deli meats.  I’m a New Yorker and those south Jersey and Pennsylvania deli meats fail by comparison.

To each their own.  I’ve tried the original and won’t bother wasting my time at either.

It’s possible that Trump Taj Mahal will be getting their own Scores strip club soon.  The two parties are currently negotiating a deal to lease about 10,000 square feet of space.  Of course, New Jersey does it’s strip clubs “classy”,

New York law does not prevent adult club entertainers from baring their breasts, Silver said. But in a New Jersey casino, or in any state business dispensing alcohol, nothing a bikini covers can be exposed. Starlight’s application mentions a bare minimum of pasties and thongs, or G-strings.

Customers, too, would be subject to a dress code, though Starlight’s application doesn’t elaborate on that.

This could be more beneficial to Trump properties than I initially thought.  Atlantic City is a cheap alternative to Las Vegas for dudes in NY, NJ and PA to have bachelor parties.  While, casinos typically don’t have strip clubs, the laws in New Jersey make this possible.  A strip club would make Trump a good destination for bachelor parties.

Image: Gothamist

Bob Dancer is an expert in video poker strategy.  He will be at Trump Taj Mahal to promote his book “Video Poker for the Intelligent Beginner” on July 11th from 2-4.  He will be taking questions and signing autographs for those in attendance.

There isn’t any information (at least I can’t find it) on the Taj Mahal website, so I recommend calling in advance of making plans.

Below is a quick link to buy the book if you’re interested.