Latest News About Caesars Entertainment

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Most recent post (Aug. 13, 2019):

"How casinos get you to keep playing"

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Latest news and views about
Caesars Entertainment and Caesars Rewards

Updated: Aug. 21, 2019

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How many times do I have to correct you (and Caesars and Harrah’s)?

It’s “dining,” not “dinning.”

Atlantic City gambling, sports betting revenue up 7.8%

One year after two new casinos opened, Atlantic City’s gambling and sports betting revenue was up 7.8% from the same period in 2018. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reported that the resort’s nine casinos took in $323 million. Harrah’s fell to the No. 4 spot after being second to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa for years, won just less than $30 million, down 5% from a year ago. Caesars, at just less than $25 million, was down 15.2%; Bally’s, at $18.2 million, was down 11.3%. Internet gambling brought in more than $39 million, an increase of nearly 52% from last year. Among Internet-only entities, Caesars Interactive-NJ won just more than $5 million, up nearly 35%. (8/14)

Perhaps a case of mistaken i-date-ity?

Atlantic City executive no longer with Caesars

Caesars Entertainment Regional President Kevin Ortzman is no longer with Caesars. Ortzman, who oversaw Bally’s, Caesars and Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City, was let go earlier this month after meeting with Caesars CEO Tony Rodio. While a lawsuit, filed by former employee Jocelyn Agnellini Allison, triggered an internal investigation, it’s unclear if Ortzman was terminated as a result of the investigation, the New York Post reports. Agnellini Allison claimed that her 21-year career at Caesars started to suffer after she complained in May 2017 that Ortzman had been “making out” with a subordinate after a work function in a way that “made employees uncomfortable.” Instead of taking action, she claims in her lawsuit, Caesars senior executives “looked the other way” as Ortzman retaliated, including telling people “there will be hell to pay” once he found out about the accusations, the lawsuit says. As a result, Agnellini Allison says she began to be excluded from “executive team thank you [sic] e-mails” and holiday gift-giving. She also was kept out of meetings, “treated in a hostile and dismissive manner,” and “falsely” accused of abusing her position and administrative compensation privileges, according to the suit. The alleged “retaliation” continued until she was fired without explanation in February 2019, the suit claims. Neither Ortzman nor Caesars media contacts in Atlantic City and Las Vegas headquarters responded to requests for comment. (8/13)

You need a team of six – cousins, siblings, grandparents, co-workers, neighbors, friends. All participants must be 21 by Tuesday, Oct. 1, and be available to participate in Las Vegas in October. Apply here.

Horseshoe Hammond expected to open The Book Sept. 4

Pending approval by the Indiana Gaming Commission Wednesday, Aug. 28, Horseshoe Hammond will begin accepting sports wagers a week later on Sept. 4. – one day before the Chicago Bears battle the Green Bay Packers in the first NFL regular-season game of the year. Work on Horseshoe’s 5,300-sq. ft. sportsbook – The Book – is expected to be completed around Labor Day. The Book will have 16 television monitors, each 85 inches wide. They can show several games on huge screens, or many sporting events at the same time. Also, up to 100 people will be able sit in the new sports book area that previously was home to the casino’s promotions center at the base of the escalator that goes to the Village Square Buffet and The Venue concert hall. (8/13)

9 of 28 July Atlantic City jackpots won at Caesars casinos

Of the 28 jackpots of $50,000 or more won in Atlantic City casinos in July, nine were won at casinos owned by Caesars Entertainment.

Bally's

$61,250 - Crystal 7 Sevens ($25 denomination)

$84,000 - Double Top Dollar ($100)

Caesars

$50,000 - Quick Hit ($5)

$56,897 - Lightning Cash

$72,000 - Top Dollar ($100)

$100,000 - Ten Times Pay ($10)

Harrah’s

$100,050 - Red Hot 7's ReSpin

$125,000 - Bally Quick Hit ($25)

In addition, there were 17 jackpots won online. Three – $67,781, 67,991 and $68,493 – were won on WSOP.com, and $89,640 was won at CaesarsCasino.com.

Source: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement

No more trips to the ATM?

Come October, blackjack, roulette, craps, baccarat, and other table game players won’t have to go to the ATM if they need cash to play at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. PlayOn, from Automated Cashless Systems Inc., is currently in use at five Native American casinos in California and one in New Mexico, as well as at Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas. The system uses a small handheld mobile device that’s slightly larger than a smartphone. Players use it with their debit cards to buy chips, just as they would for any other transaction. Additional casinos in Nevada, Atlantic City other locations also are slated to install the technology. (8/7)

Broadway-bound musical to hit the high Cs, er, high seas

SIX, the critically-acclaimed British pop musical – a historical retelling of Henry VIII’s six wives – will debut this month on the Norwegian Bliss next month, followed by performances on the Breakaway and Getaway. Each leading lady takes centerstage to share her personal story and reclaim her identity. Remixing 500 years of heartbreak into a celebration of 21st Century “girl power,” the production features lively performances and music by an all-female band. SIX will appear first on the Bliss beginning Sunday, Sept. 1, followed by the Breakaway Sunday, Nov. 10, and the Getaway next April. The show premiered at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2017 and will open on Broadway in the spring. (Updated 8/20)

News about the Caesars/Eldorado merger

Caesars Entertainment Corp.’s cash flow, revenue top forecasts; CEO looks forward to merger with Eldorado Resorts.

Eldorado CEO: Caesars Strip hotels won't be sold soon.

How Atlantic City might fare after Caesars/Eldorado merger.

CEO says Caesars needs to be 'cautious' about resort fees

Consumer Reports weighs in

on resort fees.

Caesars Entertainment Corp. needs to be cautious about its use of resort fees, according to CEO Tony Rodio. Rodio said the company intends to keep a close watch on the rise in resort fees across the industry. MGM Resorts International has increased its resort fee by $6 – to $45 a night – at Aria, Vdara and Bellagio. “Over time, at some point there’s going to be the straw that breaks the camel’s back,” Rodio said. “I don’t think we’re there yet, but I want us to be very judicious and cautious about taking those rates any further. It’s certainly a revenue stream that’s hard to walk away from and it’s been accepted at this point, but we’re getting pretty high.” Two attorneys general have filed lawsuits against hotel brands for their use of resort fees. The lawsuits follow an investigation by the attorneys general of all 50 states and the District of Columbia. The attorney general for the District of Columbia filed a lawsuit against Maryland-based Marriott on July 9, accusing the company of deceiving customers by hiding a portion of its daily rates through resort fees. On July 23, Nebraska attorney general Doug Peterson filed a lawsuit against Virginia-based Hilton Hotels Corp. He accused the company of hiding the “true price” of hotel rooms through resort fees in an attempt to increase profits. (8/5)

'Quickies'

The Book opens at Harrah's and Horseshoe Council Bluffs at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Aug. 23.
Gordon Ramsay Pub & Grill at Caesars and Martorano's at Harrah's are among the 15 Best Restaurants in Atlantic City, according to New Jersey Monthly magazine.

There is no Caesars Palace in Atlantic City.

Harrah’s Hoosier Park Racing & Casino will open its sports betting parlor in the former Pegasus bar by Thursday, Sept. 19.
Caesars Entertainment Corp. has released its Second Quarter Financials. Click here.
Every Monday in August is "Young at Heart Day" at Harrah’s Northern California. Guests 55 or older receive a complimentary dessert with purchase of an entrée at Louie Oliver’s. Limit one redemption per day.
Both the Laurel Lounge and Center Cut Steakhouse at the Flamingo in Las Vegas are slated to close Oct. 1. The new Laurel Lounge will move into the current Flamingo Food Court space, while the food court moves closer to the Paradise Garden Buffet. The bar in front of Center Cut will close to accommodate the expansion of the new steakhouse.
Platinum cardholders can get complimentary valet parking Monday through Friday this month at Horseshoe Southern Indiana.

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Look for The Book – Caesars name for its sports books – to open next month at Horseshoe Hammond, Horseshoe Southern Indiana and other Caesars-owned properties in the state. (Updated 8/19)

Not even arriving in Las Vegas: Kind Heaven, Nitro Circus

Kind Heaven, a proposed $100 million attraction scheduled to open this summer at The LINQ Casino in Las Vegas, has been canceled. Nitro Circus, scheduled to open at Bally’s Las Vegas, also has been canceled. Kind Heaven was to be an Asian-themed attraction featuring – wait for it – holographic fighting monkeys. Nitro Circus was to be an indoor “action sport” show in the theater formerly occupied by Jubilee!. (8/3)

You can say that again! [From an in-room flyer at Paris Las Vegas.]

This is a portion of a letter sent to 2,400 Caesars Entertainment corporate employees which VitalVegas.com posted on Twitter Aug. 1. The chart outlines the number of weeks of compensation based on length of employment should positions be eliminated due to the Eldorado merger.

Some upcoming shows, events and deadlines

California, Ione

Mondays and Tuesdays (through Aug. 26): "Young at Heart Day," Harrah's Northern California - Guests 55 or older receive a complimentary dessert with purchase of an entrée at Louie Oliver’s (limit one redemption per day)

Thursdays (through Aug. 29): Thirsty Thursdays, 20 percent off any dinner service at Louie Oliver's with purchase of a bottle of win (minimum, $40 bottle)

Indiana, Hammond

Wednesdays: Those 50 and older (with valid ID and Caesars Rewards card) get 50 percent off at the Village Square Buffet, Horseshoe

Through Aug. 30: Complimentary valet parking for Platinum cardholders (Mondays through Fridays), Horseshoe

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 and Horseshoe

Aug. 23: The Book opens, 4:30 p.m., Harrah's and Horseshoe

Louisiana, Bossier City

Sept. 2: Wiener Races, Harrah's Louisiana Downs

Maryland, Baltimore

Monday to Friday: $5 sips and bites, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 4 to 7 p.m.

Tuesdays: Military & First Responders Appreciation Day, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 7 a.m. to midnight

Wednesdays: Guy Fieri's Trivia Night, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 7 to 9 p.m.

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Thursdays: Guests 55 and older can enjoy a $25 lunch special at Guy Fieri’s Baltimore Kitchen + Bar, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.,

Thursdays: Rockstar Karaoke, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 14Forty, 9 p.m.

Fridays: 98 Rock’s Justin Schlegel broadcasts live, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 14Forty, 8 p.m. to midnight

Aug. 22 to 29: Fifth Anniversary Celebration, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore (see events below)

Aug. 22: Light Up The Night, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Poe's Nest, 8 to 11 p.m.

Aug. 23: Jazz, Bourbon & Cigars: A Smooth Jazz Experience, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Outdoor Plaza, 6 to 9 p.m.

Aug. 24: Guy Fieri's Summer Bash & Crab Boil, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, Outdoor Plaza (indoor buffet option also available), 2 p.m. to 6 p.m.

Aug. 25: Drag Brunch, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 11 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Aug. 29: Reels & Rosé, Hairspray, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore, 8 p.m., Outdoor Plaza

Oct. 3 to 14: World Series of Poker Circuit Event, Horseshoe Casino Baltimore

Missouri, North Kansas City

Sept. 4 (and the first Wednesday of every month): Show your military ID and Caesars Rewards card at The Buffet and dinner is $8

Nevada, Las Vegas

Aug. 22 to 25: Seven Stars Signature Event

Oct. 31 to Nov. 4: Great Gift Wrap Up, Caesars Palace

Oct. 31 to Nov. 3: M life Holiday Gift Shoppe, MGM Grand

Nov. 7 to 10: America's Got Talent Live, Paris

Dec. 4 to 8: Great Gift Wrap Up, Bally's

Dec. 5 to 8: M life Holiday Gift Shoppe, Bellagio

April 23 to 25: NFL Draft

Nevada, Reno

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Tuesdays: Silver Circle 55+, Harrah's

New Jersey, Atlantic City

Sept. 6 to 8: Halo Classic, Boardwalk Hall

North Carolina, Cherokee

Through Aug. 31, Oct. 2 to 25: Cherokee Bonfire (Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays), Oconaluftee Islands Park, on Tsali Boulevard

Pennsylvania, Chester

Saturdays: Seven Stars Mixer, 5 to 6:30 p.m., Cove Steakhouse & Raw Bar, Harrah's

Sept. 20: Diamond Day (an upgraded and themed menu in the Laurel Lounge with the chance to win free play and other prizes), 3 to 11 p.m., Harrah's