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Atlantic City's casino saw revenue decline slightly in June, down a bit more than 1 percent compared to a year ago, while revenue for the first six months of the year was slightly higher.  Only the Trump Taj Mahal and Resorts casinos saw increases in June.  About 1,000 workers at the Taj Mahal went on strike July 1, but the casino's take in June was 13.2 percent higher than last year.  The casino's take for the first six months of 2016 is 3.6 percent lower than 2015.  The strike does not include dealers, and the casino remains open.

A strike against Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal casino grew more contentious Wednesday as strikers rallied outside the New York offices of Donald Trump, who opened the casino, and Carl Icahn, his fellow billionaire who now owns it.  As the protest unfolded, Icahn's management team issued an ultimatum to Taj Mahal strikers: Accept the company's health care offer by Monday or it's gone.  The developments came as the strike was in its second week, with little indication a settlement might occur soon.  The casino remains open during the strike, which does not include dealers.

The Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board has put an end to plans for a gambling facility in Western Pennsylvania.  The seven-member board voted unanimously Wednesday to abandon the application for Lawrence Downs Casino & Racing Resort near New Castle.  Endeka Entertainment had proposed a one-mile harness racing track and a full casino

The Showboat Hotel in Atlantic City reopened recently.  Sadly, the casino was not part of that reopening.  It was a soft reopening, with little fanfare, no balloons, no music, the former casino area off the lobby darkened and blocked off by a series of draperies with images of old Atlantic City postcards.  Ahhhhh, the old days...................

Casino Nights Live! hosted our third event this year in White Plains, New York last night.  They love us in White Plains with Mike on the Mic spinning the tunes while the dice were flying and the Roulette ball was spinning!  Everyone had a great time again, and three lucky players won some valuable prizes.  Don't worry, White Plains!  We will be back up there very soon!

A strike against Atlantic City's Trump Taj Mahal casino continued with both sides appearing confident they could out wait the other and prevail in the bitter dispute that has seen 1,000 union members walk off the job and has raised fresh questions about the future of the struggling gambling resort.  Local 54 of the Unite Here union went on strike Friday morning against the casino, which was opened by Donald Trump but now belongs to his friend and fellow billionaire, Carl Icahn.

Bob "DJ Bobby A" Arcaini and Casino Nights Live! would like to wish everyone a happy, healthy, fun, festive and safe Independence Day!

The Pennsylvania House of Representatives gave preliminary approval recently to a proposal to legalize online wagering and permit slot machines in airports and off-track betting sites, a plan supporters say could generate $250 million a year in revenue.  The bill, which also would regulate and tax fantasy sports contests, still needs final approval by the House and in the Senate, where its fate is not assured.  Proponents hailed it as a key step as the fiscal year comes to a close and the new fiscal year begins without a budget deal yet in place.  Among other things, the measure would let casinos licensed here also take online bets from gamblers in Pennsylvania, mirroring laws enacted by other states, including New Jersey.  

​About 1,000 bellhops, cooks, cocktail servers, and housekeepers went on strike early Friday at the Trump Taj Mahal casino, leaving the city's most financially fragile casino scrambling to keep up with the start of the big Fourth of July weekend.  The workers, members of Unite Here Local 54, set up picket lines at 6 A.M. on the Boardwalk beneath the huge Trump Taj Mahal sign, and on Pacific Avenue next to the marble elephants at the property's entrance.  Although the visuals shouted out Trump, and caused a stir on social media among fans and foes of presumed Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump, the $1 billion property that Trump opened in 1990 is now wholly owned by billionaire Carl Icahn.  The company, meanwhile, pressed dealers, who are not on strike, into service as cocktail servers, and top hotel and security managers as bellmen, handling luggage for incoming guests.  Restaurants, however, were closed, as were some restrooms.  The grand reopening of the Sultan's Feast buffet was canceled.    

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The new owner of the former Revel casino in Atlantic City said recently that he won't begin reopening the property while state gambling regulators insist that he get a casino license.  Glenn Straub told the Associated Press that he should not have to go through the same costly, time-consuming licensing that other casino owners do because he is acting simply as a landlord to an outside company that would run the casino.  He said he plans to appeal the matter to the state Casino Control Commission. 

Casino workers said Thursday that they will go on strike against five of the city's eight casinos on July 1 if a contract agreement is not reached by then.  Members of Local 54 of the Unite Here union voted to authorize a strike against Bally's, Caesars, Harrah's, and the Tropicana.  The union had already authorized a strike against the Trump Taj Mahal.  A spokesman said several thousand workers cast ballots, which were 96 percent in favor of a strike.  The union says workers made painful sacrifices that need to be reversed now that Atlantic City's casinos are regaining their financial footing.  Let's all hope the situation can be resolved before the big holiday weekend.

There is still time to book that summer casino party or a DJ for that big holiday barbecue.  

    

We would like to wish all the fathers a Happy Fathers Day!  It's not too late to book one of our DJs for a summer party or wedding.  We are also booking casino fund raisers for the fall.   

​Atlantic City's casinos saw their revenue decline slightly in May, down less than 1 percent compared with a year ago.  The eight casinos collectively won $219.8 million from gamblers, a decline of 0.6 percent compared with May 2015, a month with more weekend days.  Table games revenue was up 4.5 percent at the eight casinos, to $53.9 million.  Slot machine winnings were $149.3 million, down 4.9 percent from May 2015.  Only two of the eight casinos saw increases in May, led by the Borgata, whose nearly $65 million was up almost 16 percent.  Bally's was just barely up, by 0.2 percent, to 18.2 million.  Internet gambling continued to be a bright spot for New Jersey, increasing by 32.6 percent to 16.5 million.     

​The Showboat is reopening.  Well, sort of.  After closing and laying off 2,100 employees, the new owners are hiring 200 employees in an effort to get the property open again. A job fair was held this week, and 3,000 people, many former Showboat employees attended, seeking to once again find work.  A few restaurants will reopen, as will the hotel, but not the casino.  Hopefully, that will be the next step in Atlantic City's long recovery process. 

Of course, if you are looking for a casino experience, Casino Nights Live! is available to bring the casino to you.  We can set up just about anywhere, a private home, a church basement, under a tent in your backyard, even a boat on the Delaware.  Check out the web site, www.casinonightslive.com to see everything we offer.

The U.S. Supreme Court rejected a union challenge seeking to restore health and pension benefits for more than 1,000 workers at the Trump Taj Mahal casino in Atlantic City.  The justices let stand lower court rulings in favor of the former Trump Entertainment Resorts, now owned by investor Carl Icahn, who had threatened to shut down the casino if the court restored benefits.  The company filed for bankruptcy protection in 2014 and a federal bankruptcy judge imposed cost savings sought by the company.  They included terminating health insurance and pension benefits for unionized workers.

Well, the summer is upon us.  Looking for a rockin' DJ for your summer party?  At Casino Nights Live!, we have several on staff that will keep your event as hot as the summer sun.  Check us out at www.casinonightslive.com.

​Jill is the best waitress at Metro!