More changes for Resorts

    Hang an “Under New Management” sign on Resorts. Pending regulatory approval, the casino will soon be operated by Mohegan Sun.

    On Tuesday, the Connecticut-based Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority announced that they’d be taking over operations at Atlantic City’s original casino. This makes Resorts the first American-Indian casino in town.

    The agreement is just about management. Mohegan Sun will run administrative operations on a contract basis. They’re not buying the casino, and the sovereignty rights they have on their Connecticut property will not extend to Atlantic City.

    Instead, it’s a partnership that Resorts owner Morris Bailey says became necessary after the sudden death of co-owner Dennis Gomes. Bailey added that the Resorts name will stay, and that the Roaring ’20s theme won’t go away.

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    This is the second big change announced for Resorts in the last month. On July 24, the casino announced that it had formed a partnership with Jimmy Buffett to add Margaritaville-themed restaurants and bars to the casino along with including a rebuilt Steeplechase Pier.

    For gamers, this is big news. Now Resorts will be linked to Mohegan’s properties in Connecticut and the Poconos, meaning that their rewards cards and points and perks will be linked to all three. This will also bring the Connecticut and Pennsylvania players to the shore.

    It’s something that places like the Borgata and Revel and Atlantic City Club can’t offer their players. One complaint lodged against Revel from serious slots players is that their perks don’t work outside the building. They could walk down to the Showboat, which is owned by Caesars, and have their rewards points add up and be used at any Caesars Entertainment property in the country. 

    Through this partnership, Mohegan Sun and Resorts are forming the same albeit more local arrangement. Will it work? Right now, it seems anything’s on the table in Atlantic City.

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