Posted on: July 3, 2024, 10:01h.
Last updated on: July 3, 2024, 10:01h.
Bally’s Atlantic City doesn’t officially turn 45 until Dec. 29, but the Boardwalk casino and resort is celebrating its birthday early while the East Coast gaming hub is amid its busy season.
Bally’s Atlantic City is getting its birthday party started months early during the busy July 4 holiday weekend. Along with showing off the property’s $100 million in newly finished renovations, Bally’s reps held a ribbon cutting on three new attractions.
Bally’s opened Park Place Prime, a new high-end steakhouse, Legacy Lounge, a VIP players’ lounge, and a new High Limit Slot Room located in the hotel’s lobby
Some things stay the same, and some things change for the better,” Michael Monty, vice president and general manager of Bally’s Atlantic City, told the Press of Atlantic City. “Today, we’re celebrating all the great things that have happened that have gotten us where we are today.”
Bally Manufacturing opened the casino as Bally’s Park Place in late December 1979. The resort was built in partnership with two local businesspeople — Reese Palley, a wealthy, flamboyant art dealer, and Atlantic City attorney Martin Blatt. Palley and Blatt had acquired the Boardwalk property two years earlier.
Bally’s was the third casino to open in town after Resorts and Caesars.
Bally’s Next Chapter
In desperate need of such an overhaul, Bally’s Corp. announced soon after acquiring the casino and iconic brand from Caesars Entertainment amid the pandemic that it would spend $100 million to update the destination that Caesars had let deteriorate in favor of investing in its other Atlantic City properties.
Each of Bally’s Atlantic City’s 750 guestrooms, 112 corner suites, and 16 penthouses were renovated. The casino floor was upgraded with newer slots, more comfortable seating, and refreshed table games.
A major highlight for returning and first-time visitors is the introduction of Phil’s Carousel Bar, a rotating raised lounge providing 360-degree views of the casino and hotel lobby. Renovations to the outdoor beer garden will allow The Yard, as the gastropub is known, to operate year-round. New restaurants additionally include Macau Kitchen, an Asian eatery.
A new Bally Bet Sportsbook, Bally Rewards Center, High Limits Table Room with 30 mini-baccarat, blackjack, roulette, and craps tables are among the other new amenities at the city’s third-oldest resort.
Bally’s is betting big on its investments turning around the resort. In 2023, Bally’s Atlantic City reported a gross operating profit of $11.1 million, which ranked second to last among the nine casinos. However, the casino reported an operating loss of nearly $2 million in 2022.
Dogs Donated
Bally’s is also giving back in celebrating 45 years in business.
The casino announced this week that it will donate hundreds of hot dogs and buns to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City for an event to be held on July 17. Wholesale food distributor Sysco is supporting the hot dog initiative with Bally’s.
“We are thrilled to give back to the community and support the Boys & Girls Club,” said Monty. “We believe in the importance of supporting organizations that make a difference in the lives of children, and we are grateful for the opportunity of partnering with Sysco to contribute to the mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City.”
The hot dogs are being donated in honor of National Hot Dog Day. Bally’s made a similar donation of dogs to the Boys & Girls Club in 2022 and last year for the informal holiday. In years past, overnight guests have been offered free hot dogs on National Hot Dog Day, which is celebrated annually on the third Wednesday in July.
