Atlantic City’s Borgata may remain the leader in performance, but if it rests on its laurels, Hard Rock and Ocean Resort may well catch up. The competition has spurred Borgata to reinvest.
“I think that’s a healthy thing for us, for the greater overall Atlantic City,” Borgata President Travis Lunn told the Associated Press. “A rising tide carries all ships; I’m a believer in that. This destination could use some reinvestment, and so to see Hard Rock come in and reinvest, and Ocean reinvest in their product, is something I’d leverage.
“I look at Borgata and say, ‘What do we need to do to stay relevant and stay competitive?’” he said.
Lunn’s wish list includes hotel renovations, new slot machines, increased table game tournaments and inviting patrons from other properties owned by parent MGM Resorts International.
Borgata has gone 10 years since its last hotel upgrade. The renovation will address the need for the latest room amenities.
As many as 400 new slot games will replace older models, Lunn said. He has $10 million to update the games. “Our guests come in looking for a certain gaming experience, and we currently don’t offer some of the product that our competitors offer.”
Borgata hopes to offer more blackjack tournaments and other social activities for guests.
“There’s capital available for us to reinvest in our product,” he said. “Part of what I see my job as is to go fight for those dollars.”
In other Atlantic City redevelopment news, Bally’s Atlantic City will reinvent a prime piece of real estate on the Boardwalk between the Dennis Towers to create the Yard, an indoor/outdoor venue. The project doubles the 5,000 square feet of space already there. Look for The Yard to open in early summer, part of a $100 million makeover.
“Atlantic City deserves a beautiful attraction and there is no better place than the center of the boardwalk at Bally’s Atlantic City. Many of us remember the iconic Dennis Hotel’s towers photo that has appeared so many times, and now we are bringing energy to this space like never before,” said Phil Juliano, executive vice president of casino operations & chief marketing officer at Bally’s Corp.
The beer garden-style location will feature live entertainment, a gastro-pub style menu, a curated tap list featuring local and national brewers, and craft cocktails. Other elements include 90’s-themed arcade games, lounge-style seating, and an indoor and outdoor stage for live entertainment.
“The inspiration came from a collection of Philadelphia and New York-style beer halls,” Juliano said.
