- Complete your Seven Stars Annual Retreat* no later than Friday, Jan. 31. NOTE: If you're using Caesars travel agency, Passport already is in its busiest season, so book as early as possible to avoid delays in ticketing and get the best fare.
- Complete your NCL Annual Voyage* no later than Jan. 31.
- Book your Signature Experience(s)† no later than Jan. 31 (and complete Experiences no later than Tuesday, June 30).
- Use any remaining $100 dining certificates* no later than Jan. 31.
*earned from play Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2018
†earned from play Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2019
Most recent post (Jan. 13, 2020):
Visit: MrACCasino.com
Latest news and views about Caesars Entertainment and Caesars Rewards Updated: Jan. 24, 2020
(click any image below to enlarge)
 What's going on at the Rio All-Suite Las Vegas Hotel & Casino the end of the year/beginning of 2021 to demand such high rates? New gaming technology being tested at UNLV
 Phish to headline 2020 Atlantic City beach concert
Phish will perform three shows on the Atlantic City beach Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 14, 15 and 16. Atlantic City will be one of only two Northeast stops on their summer tour. “Phish is one of the biggest touring bands in the world,” said Geoff Gordon, Live Nation Philadelphia regional president. “They have a tremendously loyal following who will travel across North America and beyond to see their favorite band.” A ticket request period is underway at tickets.phish.com and will end Monday, Feb. 3. Tickets go on sale to the general public Friday, Feb. 7. In December the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) allocated $1.8 million for a three-year deal with Live Nation to bring concerts to Atlantic City in 2020, 2021 and 2022. Live Nation and CRDA have partnered on six years of Atlantic City beach concerts, including Pink, the Chainsmokers, Maroon 5, Jimmy Buffett & the Coral Reefer Band, Blake Shelton, Lady Antebellum, and the 25th anniversary of the Vans Warped Tour. Live Nation has been organizing beach concerts in Atlantic City since 2014. (1/23)
NFL Draft to bring lots of visitors, road closures and more
If you’re planning a visit to Las Vegas April 23 to 25 be aware that you will be joining more than 350,000 other visitors in town for the NFL draft. During the event, the Strip will be closed in both directions from Flamingo Road to the entrance of Paris. Flamingo will be shut down from Koval Lane to the Strip. There also will be road closures prior to the draft as workers set-up the required stages. Throughout the production, all resorts will remain open and accessible for patrons and employees. The main stage will be next to the new Caesars Forum conference center where fans can watch the draft selections. Events there will include immersive activities, live entertainment and other performances that are free and open to the public. Located next to the main stage, the NFL Draft Experience will be highlighted by events including interactive games, a Vince Lombardi Trophy display, and autograph sessions with NFL players and alumni. (1/23)
More incomplete, inaccurate information from Caesars
When a guest asked Caesars Rewards at which Las Vegas venues he could use his Seven Stars Retreat $500 folio credit, he was given the document below:
Problem is, it's not very accurate. For one thing, it’s Reward Credits, not Rewards Credits; Caesars Palace, not Caesars Plalace; Qua Baths & Spa, not Qua Bath & Spa; and Giada, not Giada’s. Guy Fieri’s Las Vegas Kitchen & Bar is located at The LINQ Hotel + Experience, not Harrah’s. Also, The Spa & Salon at Bally’s has closed, as has Center Cut Steakhouse at Flamingo and Pin Up [sic] Pizza at Planet Hollywood. And, I know it's picky, but CET is not the symbol for Caesars Entertainment Corp., it's CZR. There are even more mistakes, but I'm not getting paid to be Caesars proofreader. (1/23) VICI raises $2.5B in anticipation of Caesars-Eldorado merger
In anticipation of the Eldorado Resorts-Caesars Entertainment Corp. merger, real estate investment trust VICI Properties has raised more than $2.5 billion through new debt. The New York-based company which currently owns 27 gaming properties that are leased back to four casino operators, said $2 billion will be used to complete several transactions that are part of the merger. The remaining proceeds will be used to pay off in full $498.5 million in debt due in 2023. The maturity dates of the new debt will be spread out among 2025, 2027 and 2030. As part of the merger, three Caesars properties under the Harrah’s brand in Atlantic City, Laughlin and New Orleans were sold to VICI for a combined total of $1.8 billion. VICI will lease the operations back to Eldorado for total annual rent of $154 million. VICI was spun off from Caesars Entertainment in 2017 as part of the casino company’s bankruptcy reorganization. In addition to Caesars, VICI has lease agreements covering properties operated by Hard Rock International, Penn National Gaming and Century Casinos. (1/21)
Caesars Windsor now offers 'Pizza-To-Go'
Caesars Windsor is now offering Pizza-To-Go at the Market Buffet. Pizzas are hand-tossed and prepared in a 500°F stone oven. Order and pick up at the Market Buffet bar. (1/20)
♫♪Monday, Monday♪♫: Horseshoe Baltimore 'opens' Club 443
Horseshoe Casino Baltimore has introduced Club 443 – the area code for Baltimore. Every Monday after earning 100 tier credits guests 21 to 35 can earn food and play prizes by swiping their Caesars Rewards card at a promotional kiosk. For details, click here.
To become non-gaming hotel, mixed use development
83-year old Harrah's Reno Hotel & Casino sells for $50 million
Harrah’s Reno Hotel & Casino has been sold to an investment group that will convert the hotel-casino into a non-gaming hotel and mixed-use development.
An affiliate of CAI Investments will pay $50 million to real estate investment trust VICI Properties and operator Caesars Entertainment Corp. for the 83-year-old building. Through a short-term lease with CAI, Caesars will continue to operate the 940-room hotel-casino after the transaction closes – expected in the second half of 2020. “We recognize the long legacy of Harrah’s in Reno, where the [Harrah’s] brand began,” Caesars CEO Tony Rodio said in a statement. “We are pleased the buyer is committed to the community and supports the redevelopment of this wonderful asset.” Rodio said Caesars has worked with CAI “to provide a reasonable closure plan that allows our great staff in Reno ample time to secure their next jobs, including priority consideration for relevant openings at our other properties in Nevada, including Lake Tahoe and Las Vegas,” The
agreement with CAI allows for Caesars to retain its guest data and
places no restrictions on Caesars marketing activities. Harrah’s will
continue to be part of the Caesars Rewards network during the short-term
lease. The sale – a result of the anticipated merger of Caesars Entertainment Corp and Eldorado Gaming – would end Harrah’s 83-year presence in Reno. Eldorado already operates three casinos in downtown Reno – Eldorado, Silver Legacy and Circus Circus (collectively called “The Row”). Gaming analysts said Eldorado management, which would have acquired Harrah’s lease through the Caesars purchase, wasn’t interested in operating a fourth casino in the market. In addition, there might be federal antitrust concerns with one company's owning that many gaming properties in the area. Harrah’s Reno, which opened in 1937 as a small bingo parlor, was the original casino in the Harrah’s chain that was founded by William F. “Bill” Harrah. The casino has 40,000-sq. ft. of table games and 700 slot machines, as well as six restaurants, including the iconic Harrah’s Steak House. (1/17)
Atlantic City casinos win nearly $3.3 billion in 2019
Compared to 2018, Caesars casinos report lower profits
In a year when surging sports and internet bets helped Atlantic City's casinos win nearly $3.3 billion from gamblers, numbers released June 14 by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement showed that – compared to the previous year – Harrah's was down 6.1 percent to $312.6 million, Bally's was down 5.4 percent to $181.5 million and Caesars was down 3.7 percent to $270.9 million. Tropicana and Resorts also were down 8.2 percent to $349.5 million and 3.2 percent to $178.4 million, respectively. Meanwhile, Borgata was up 3.5 percent to $797.8 million and the Golden Nugget was up 15.4 percent to $378.4 million, finishing the year in second place. (1/14)
 "I'll take an 'S,' Pat."
[It's Seven Stars.]
"I'll take a 'C,' Pat."
[So I can "check-in".]
Eldorado sells namesake resort casino
Louisiana joins Missouri in approving Caesars merger
The Louisiana Gaming Control Board has joined Missouri in approving the proposed merger between Eldorado Resorts and Caesars Entertainment Corp. As part of the deal Eldorado has sold the Eldorado Resort Casino in Shreveport, La. Nevada-based Maverick Gaming purchased the property for $230 million in cash. The transaction is subject to a working capital adjustment and regulatory approvals, but is expected to close this year. “The agreement to divest the Eldorado in Shreveport is consistent with our continued focus on reducing debt ahead of the expected closing for the Caesars transaction in the first half of 2020,” Eldorado CEO Tom Reeg said in a statement. The sale had been widely expected, given the Federal Trade Commission’s concerns with Eldorado’s and Caesars concentration of properties in Louisiana. The merger approval came with criticism of the company’s neglect of the Belle of Baton Rouge, a casino Eldorado already owns. “Are you and your executive staff up to the task to make sure that you spread the attention to all the properties in all the states in which you operate?” Board Chairman Ronnie Jones asked Tom Reeg, Eldorado Resorts chief executive officer.
Jones spoke after noting that the Baton Rouge casino has not received much of the company’s investment and is underperforming. Jones pointed out that, the night before the hearing, Reeg and his entourage stayed at a competitor’s L’Auberge Casino Hotel. “I understand that the fact that I stayed at L’Auberge last night is comment on our view of the state of that property as it sits today,” Reeg said of the Belle. But Reeg, a former banker, added that his staff is looking at bringing the Belle of Baton Rouge riverboat onshore and into an adjacent atrium that once was a cluster of warehouses and then a failed shopping mall in the Catfishtown neighborhood near downtown and almost under the Interstate 10 bridge over the Mississippi River. He added, “We understand that asset in its current state is not acceptable to the state and it’s not acceptable to us either. . . .The next time we’re in front of you that situation will be different.” In addition to its namesake casino and the Belle, Eldorado owns one other property in the state, while Caesars owns three Louisiana properties. “We would expect to see a related sale – most likely Montbleu Resort, Casino and Spa in Lake Tahoe,” in the view of one analyst. He said Eldorado may also look to sell a property in Atlantic City, which houses its Tropicana Atlantic City property along with three Caesars properties. However, another analyst has said that he doesn’t believe a New Jersey sale will be necessary.“Given the competitive nature of the [Atlantic City] market and market concentrations relative to history, it is reasonable, at this time, to assume no sale is required,” he said. Before the sale of Showboat, Caesars owned four properties in Atlantic City. (Updated 1/22)
 Prime rib all day, sushi, jumbo shrimp.
Fair warning, Bally's, Caesars and Harrah's Atlantic City!
You need to up your game.
Diamond Elite $600 airfare credit
In addition to the information on the Caesars Rewards website, here are some other details about the $600 Diamond Elite airfare credit:
> They may book it themselves and be reimbursed at the destination casino (see below).
> They may request a host book the trip through Passport. In that case travel must be booked at least 14 days in advance.
 Wonder if the Palace Buffet at Caesars Atlantic City
also serves Girl Choy and Sergeant Chicken.
It's official: Harrah's Cherokee Center - Asheville
The Harrah’s Cherokee Center - Asheville had its grand opening this month. The name change from U.S. Cellular Center was official as of Jan. 1 at a cost of $6 million over the next 10 years. The price tag also includes $750,000 for improvements to the Thomas Wolfe Auditorium.
In addition to Harrah’s Cherokee's plans for renovations, a new community organized group, Transform The Wolfe, has launched a mission to raise money to assist with renovations. (1/12)
 Does Harrah’s Philadelphia not know Caesars Forum conference center expected to open in March
With the expected opening in March of the new Caesars Forum conference center in Las Vegas, there is a temporary monorail station located on the fourth floor of The LINQ’s parking garage until the new Harrah’s/LINQ Monorail station also opens. (1/12)
 ♫♪ Another one bites the dust, Another one bites the dust ♫♪
♫♪ And another one gone, and another one gone ♫♪
♫♪ Another one bites the dust ♫♪
OLG extends contract with Caesars Windsor
The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) is including Caesars Windsor in its modernization procurement process and the casino could get a new name. “Launching a competitive procurement to select a long-term service provider. . .will complete OLG’s modernization of the Ontario gaming marketplace,” said OLG President and Chief Executive Officer Stephen Rigby. “It will also help protect the long-term competitiveness of the Windsor market.” In order to include the casino in the procurement process, Caesars Windsor and the OLG have entered into a three-year agreement to extend its existing contract beyond July 31. The OLG expects to release a Request for Pre-Qualification by this fall. According to the OLG, if a new service provider is selected it will be required to keep all current employees for a period of no less than 12 months once it takes over operation of the site in mid-2023. (1/8)
 Caesars Windsor has launched its Fast Cash Ticket donation program which allows guests to donate unused tickets into boxes located at Caesars Rewards, Skylink and Skybridge. All proceeds benefit the Canadian Mental Health Association Windsor-Essex County Branch.
Celebrate Chinese Lunar New Year in Atlantic City
 More than $1 million in jackpots hit by two gamblers
Two
Las Vegas gamblers had a good start to the new year. On Friday, Jan. 3, a lucky gambler got a royal
flush while playing Crazy Four Poker mega progressive jackpot for a win
of $965,035.85 at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. Another gambler
at the Flamingo hit a progressive jackpot win of $105,309.00 on
Mississippi Stud. Both winners elected not to be identified. (1/8)
Hell's Kitchen opens at Harveys Lake Tahoe
Gordon Ramsay’s Hell’s Kitchen has opened at Harveys Lake Tahoe. The restaurant, which takes its name from Ramsay’s hit reality television show of the same name, ranks among the most anticipated restaurant debuts ever in Northern Nevada. More than 12,000 reservations were made by the third week of December. Hell’s Kitchen is open 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. Sunday through Friday and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Saturdays. The chef is scheduled to attend a separate grand opening of Hell’s Kitchen “when his schedule permits, which looks like late March,” said John Packer, head of communications at Harveys and Harrah’s Lake Tahoe. The first Hell's Kitchen debuted at Caesars Palace in 2018. A second spot opened its doors in Caesars Bluewaters Dubai this past spring. Hell’s Kitchen occupies the space formerly used by the Sage Room, a classic steakhouse that opened in 1947, when the property was Harveys Wagon Wheel casino. The Sage Room, in turn, is now located upstairs at the former 19 Kitchen & Bar space atop Harveys. The new Hell’s Kitchen features a bit of the old with all of the new. Sage Room’s wooden beams – hewn from trees cleared when the original Harveys was built in the 1940s – have been left intact. The menu, however, offers many dishes featured on the TV show, including signature items like pan-seared scallops, lobster risotto, crisp skin salmon, beef Wellington and sticky toffee pudding. (Updated 1/8)
Harrah's North Kansas City revises GM Club policies
The General Manager's Club at Harrah’s North Kansas City is now open seven days a week; however, the club serves food only on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday. The other change is that the club now charges $3 for “better liquor” – with no definition about what “better liquor” is – and not only for those eligible for General Mangers Club privileges (minimum 50,000 tier credits in a calendar year), but also Seven Stars cardholders. Several players have commented that they will be taking their business to Ameristar Casino Hotel Kansas City where, for a lot less play, they can visit the casino’s “Laurel Lounge-equivalent” Club 38 that’s open seven days a week and serves lunch, dinner and complimentary beverages. (1/4)
 What was this, left, at the bottom of the Bally's Atlantic City
Restaurants page (until it was deleted Jan. 8 after I pointed it out)?
When you clicked on "Menu Items!" you got this illustration of a T Richards Visa card (which I hope was a fake number).
 If you're wondering why your beginning tier score for 2020 is not "0" most likely you pre-registered for Quest For Rewards and the bonus tier credits for any badges you've already earned, e.g., mobile app, email, etc., were dropped in on Jan. 1. (1/1)
 Just what I want to serve my guests, drinks in Caesars Entertainment Corp./Caesars Southern Indiana-logoed glassware. Please, Caesars casinos, don’t give away stuff with your name and/or logo.
 Why even bother with a special line, Starbucks at Caesars Palace?
The "regular" line probably will be shorter.
| Mondays and Thursdays (holidays excluded): 2-for-1 lunch ($20), from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and dinner ($25), from 4 to 8 p.m., cash or credit card only, Flavors The Buffet, Harrah's Joliet
Saturdays: Dinner for two with a bottle of wine, $60, Flavors The Buffet, Harrah's Joliet
Wednesdays: Those 50 and older (with valid ID and Caesars Rewards card) get 50 percent off at the Village Square Buffet, Horseshoe Hammond
Indiana, Shelbyville
Through Jan. 31: Sundays, Mondays and Tuesdays earn 75 tier credits between 6 a.m. and 8:30 p.m. and get a free buffet, Indiana Grand Racing & Casino
Iowa, Council Bluffs
Tuesdays: Guests 55 and older qualify for a buy one, get one free buffet (with photo ID and Caesars Rewards card), Harrah’s Council Bluffs
Louisiana, Bossier City
Through March 18: Quarter Horse racing season, post time 1 p.m. (Central), Saturday, Sunday, Monday and Tuesday, Harrah’s Louisiana Downs
 Louisiana, New Orleans
April 23 to May 3: New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival
Maryland, Baltimore
Monday to Friday: Horseshoe Happy Hour, 4 to 7 p.m., Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
Mondays: Club 443 - Guests 21 to 35 can earn food and play prizes by swiping their Caesars Rewards card at a promotional kiosk after earning 100 tier credits, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore Tuesdays: Military & First Responders Appreciation Day, 10 a.m. to midnight, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
Wednesdays: Horseshoe Game Show, 1 p.m. (registration 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.), Poe's Nest, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore  Thursdays: Between 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. guests 55 and older can swipe at a promotional kiosk for a 5X Reward Credit multiplier, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
Fridays: 98 Rock’s Justin Schlegel broadcasts live, 8 p.m. to midnight, Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen + Bar, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore
Mississippi, Biloxi
Tuesdays: DJ Karaoke, 7 to 11 p.m., 406 Club, Harrah's Gulf Coast
Fridays: Live musical performances, 8 p.m. to midnight, Harrah's Gulf Coast
Nevada, Las Vegas
 Daily: Diamond and Seven Stars Happy Hour, 4 to 6 p.m., Patio Bar, Flamingo
Nevada, Reno
New Jersey, Atlantic City
Jan. 25: Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration, 5 to 8 p.m., Caesars and Bally's
Jan. 25: Chinese Lunar New Year Celebration, 8:30 to 10 p.m., Harrah's
Feb. 7 to 9: Atlantic City Auction & Car Show, Atlantic City Convention Center
March 8 to 13: Atlantic City Restaurant Week
March 14: Atlantic City St. Patrick's Day Parade
April 3 and 4: Atlantic City Beer & Music Festival
May 15 and 16: Rock 'n' Roll Marathon
Aug. 14 to 16: Beachfront Concert - Phish Aug. 26: Atlantic City Air Show
North Carolina, Cherokee
Feb. 28 and 29: Seven Stars Renewal Event, Harrah's Cherokee
Pennsylvania, Chester
Saturdays: Seven Stars Mixer, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Cove Steakhouse & Raw Bar, Harrah's Philadelphia
Sundays: Brunch Buffet (open to the public), 10 a.m. to 1 p.m., Laurel Lounge, Harrah's Philadelphia
Feb. 21: Diamond Day (an upgraded and themed menu with the chance to win free play and other prizes), 3 to 11 p.m., Laurel Lounge, Harrah's Philadelphia
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