• Bally's Poker Room Ac Co
• Bally's Ac Poker Room Phone Number

Phone: (609) 340-1143 Minimum Age: 21 Poker Tables: 20 Tables Hours: Mon-Thu, 11am-6am; Friday 11am-Monday 6am, 24 hours. Located on the strip, Bally's is a Vegas institution. Their poker room features 14 table. The games include 1-2 No Limit 3-6 limit and sometimes 2-5 no Limit. The run tournament throughout the day.

Bally’s Atlantic City is a property Phil Juliano knows well.

Besides growing up in the resort town, he spent a portion of his career in the Atlantic City casino industry.

Pretty soon, Juliano will likely be spending more time at the Jersey Shore.

Twin River Worldwide Holdings is finalizing a deal to purchase Bally’s AC. Juliano is the senior vice president and chief marketing officer of the Rhode Island-based company.

Play NJ spoke exclusively with Juliano and George Papanier, CEO of Twin River.

It’s no secret Twin River is preparing to take over an aging Bally’s property in serious need of capital improvements. And joining the hot NJ online casino and sports betting markets is on the list, too.

What makes Bally’s attractive?

Twin River didn’t decide to purchase Bally’s just because it was available for a bargain-basement price of $25 million.

The casino-hotel complex sits at the center of the world-famous Boardwalk, for one. Another key factor was gaining market access in New Jersey.

“We certainly are familiar with the AC market, as Phil and myself have spent … a portion of our careers there,” said Papanier. “We just felt that this is a property that’s consistent with the types of properties that we’re interested in, particularly as we entered into a diversification strategy about four years ago.”

But Papanier also noted that buying Bally’s gives Twin River access to a robust NJ online casino and sports betting market:

“It’s not only the property and its appeal at the center of the Boardwalk, [it] is the fact that we’ll be entering into another sports betting market as well as an iGaming market. We think we could do a lot of things to this property that’s going to bring it back to a level of prominence that it once had.”

Twin River expansions in AC and beyond

As long as everything goes according to plan with licensing, Twin River will be a brand-new player in the Atlantic City market.

At the same time, Twin River continues to expand its casino holdings throughout the US.

The company currently owns and manages seven casinos, including two in Rhode Island, one in Mississippi and one in Delaware. The other three casinos, as well as a horse racetrack that has 13 authorized off-track betting licenses, are in Colorado.

And earlier this year, in a separate deal with Eldorado Resorts, Twin River announced the purchases of Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport and Mont Bleu Resort Casino &Spa.

Put it all together and the company is gaining access to the New Jersey, Nevada and Louisiana gaming markets. And once the deals are signed, sealed and delivered, the grand total will be seven markets.

Memories of Bally’s early days in Atlantic City

While Twin River owns properties nationwide, Bally’s is the one Juliano still remembers from its early days.

Bally's Poker Room Ac Co

There was a time when it was the most successful casino in town.

“What I remember most about Bally’s, in the beginning,” said Juliano, “was they actually had to do an expansion before they had really gotten open and saw what was really transpiring, because the business was so robust.”

He won’t soon forget the atmosphere of Atlantic City and Bally’s back then. There was a constant bustle of construction, material expansion and growth.

“And then it became a big success machine in the marketplace. I remember it hit a profit mark of $165 million. And I think it kind of dwarfed the other places after Resorts’ initial opening, and then Resorts kind of fell into I think a third-place position, and Caesars was second and Bally’s was the leader.

“And it was a big, expansive place that appealed to a lot of different market segments. It had robust table games. It had a lot of slots … because it had the relationship with the manufacturer.”

Fast-forward to today, and the market is night-and-day different.

Bally’s is near the bottom, if not at the bottom, of any given month in revenue. It’s no longer the breadwinner of years past. Twin River hopes to change that.

Twin River and big plans for Bally’s AC

Even though Twin River is still waiting for the keys to be handed over, the to-do list is coming together. When things get done will be determined at a later date.

However, here are some of the areas of immediate focus Papanier said Twin River plans on addressing:

• Upgrading and refurbishing the rooms
• Introducing new restaurant brands
• Improving the casino gaming floor with product upgrades
• Addressing and emphasizing the pool and spa area
• Enhancing the convention and meeting space

Juliano added one more thing to the list: “rebuilding and building relationships with customers.”

“Customers that go to Bally’s now used to go to Bally’s before. … Yes, we’re part of a bigger company, but we’re a single entity in Atlantic City,” said Juliano.

“We’re not sharing you around with other properties. This is going to be your destination. When you come here, we’re going to, as I said, build a relationship, rebuild a relationship with you that’s going to be seeping in value and appreciation.”

In other jurisdictions, Twin River has seen similar success. Juliano is sure that the company can do it in Atlantic City, too, a market he said “appreciates value very much.”

NJ sports betting + NJ online casinos = big opportunities

Way back in the early years, sports betting was just a pipe dream. Atlantic City casinos now have skin in the game. Juliano and Papanier are well aware of the fast-paced growth of legal sports betting.

By gaining a New Jersey license, Twin River will kick open the NJ sports betting door. Plus, there is a robust online casino market. Each license holder is permitted to have up to three mobile sportsbook skins and fiveonline casino apps in NJ.

And with Caesars maintaining ownership of the massive Book at Bally’s, a new retail sportsbook is in the plans, too. As such, Papanier said it will immediately apply for a sportsbook and online gambling license.

“As you know, in order to have local sports betting, you’re going to need to construct a retail sportsbook,” said Papanier. “We currently operate sportsbooks at all our other existing properties, so it’s something we’re very familiar with.

“As soon as we’re licensed and close on this transaction, we think that we can bring an exciting sports betting brand to AC.”

As far as a location for the future retail operation goes, the Twin River team said there are a couple of high-exposure spaces off of the Boardwalk under consideration. And, Papanier noted, “We think either one of them could create a pretty nice impression.”

As far as online partnerships go, Twin River has market access deals in Colorado with DraftKingsand FanDuel sportsbooks.

Juliano and Papanier did not go into specifics of their sports betting plans.

Caesars is holding down the fort … for now

All of these plans, of course, are currently in limbo. The future of the property was discussed during this month’s Casino Control Commission hearing pertaining to the Eldorado-Caesars merger.

And for now, Caesars is responsible for taking care of Bally’s. Unlike its Atlantic City sister properties (Caesars, Harrah’s and Tropicana), there are no property-specific upgrades on the table, at least not from Caesars.

Play NJ caught up with Steve Callender, Northeast regional president for Caesars Entertainment, to discuss Caesars’ plans for AC. For now, he said, Caesars is keeping an eye on Bally’s.

“My instructions are we run it like we own it until we don’t own it anymore,” said Callender. “It’s not just overseeing, it’s lending support and advice. When a deal gets done, then I’ll stop worrying about it. Until then, it’s part of our [responsibilities].”

Going forward, Twin River will be inheriting the Bally’s property minus the Wild Wild West Casino. The new owners are getting the Dennis Tower, which is closest to the Western-themed gaming space.

Will Bally’s get a new name?

Bally’s has been part of the AC skyline since Dec. 29, 1979. Only two other casinos have been around longer: Resorts (May 26, 1978) and Caesars (June 26, 1979).

But there is a realistic possibility that the Bally’s name could end up on the same list as Revel, Trump, Sands and Hilton as just another piece of Atlantic City’s past.

Nothing is set in stone at this point. Twin River, however, has experience dropping recognized names in the gaming industry in favor of something new.

Bally's Ac Poker Room Phone Number

“For example, in Kansas City, we had an Isle of Capri. It’s now Casino KC. Well, everybody’s kind of loving it. It kind of rolls off your tongue,” said Juliano. “But the challenge is we’ve got to get awareness up so that everybody’s not confused anymore about that Isle of Capri is no longer there and the Casino KC exists where Isle of Capri was.

“We’re very familiar with that challenge. Same thing down in Vicksburg. We are now Casino Vicksburg [and] it used to be Lady Luck. We can step up to those challenges, I think, regardless of what happens. But let’s stay tuned, because it depends on just exactly how we end up as to what the magnitude of that challenge will be.”

Bally’s, Atlantic City and the future

Of course, there is the other big test: making Bally’s competitive again.

When the Division of Gaming Enforcement releases its monthly report, Bally’s regularly ranks toward the bottom in land-based casino revenue. In February, the last full month AC casinos operated prior to the shutdown, Bally’s reported a casino win of just $12 million.

Resorts took the eighth spot with $14.5 million.

And there is no telling what kind of impact the 25% limited capacity will have on July’s numbers.

For now, the next step for Twin River is getting a casino license. The detailed plans for Bally’s AC will soon follow.

As Juliano said, stay tuned.

Bally’s is on the Boardwalk in Atlantic City. It is owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment, which owns Harrah’s in the Marina District and Caesars (also on the Boardwalk).

Bally’s has the feel of a typical Caesars Entertainment casino: It has a wide variety of table games with lower limits, the video poker is average, and the rest of the casino floor is covered with standard slots.

In 2020, Caesars sold the property to Twin River Worldwide. The sale is pending regulatory approval. Wild Wild West casino will remain under Caesars’ umbrella.

Bally’s Atlantic City casino

Bally’s spreads more than 100 table games. This includes ones in the high-limit salon. Nearly every game offered by Atlantic City casinos is available here.

All blackjack at Bally’s pays 3-2 except the ones at Wild Wild West. Doubling down before and after splitting is permitted. Six-deck games stand on all 17s. Eight-deck games hit it.

Craps offers five-times odds. The field pays double of 12. Double zero roulette games have la partage, which returns half of a bet to a player when the ball lands on zero.

Table games at Bally’s Atlantic City

• Six deck blackjack: $25 to $5000 (9 tables)
• Eight deck blackjack: $10 to $1,000 (24 tables)
• Blackjack switch: $10 to $500 (1 table)
• Spanish 21: $5 to $500 (3 tables)
• Craps: $10 to $1,000 (5 tables)
• Single zero roulette: $100 to $2,000 (1 table)
• Double zero roulette: $10 to $200 (9 tables)
• High card flush: $5 to $200 (2 tables)
• Three card poker: $10 to $1,000 (6 tables)
• Four card poker: $5 to $200 (4 tables)
• Heads up hold’em: $5 to $200
• Ultimate Texas hold’em: $5 to $200 (2 tables)
• Let It Ride: $5 to $200 (3 tables)
• Pai gow poker: $15 to $2,500 (4 tables)
• Baccarat: $25 to $10,000 (24 tables)
• Mississippi Stud: $5 to $50 (1 table)
• Caribbean stud poker: $5 to $1,000 (1 table)
• Texas Hold’Em bonus: $5 to $200 (1 table)

There are two digital table games. There is $1 to $900 Big Wheel and $3 to $2,000 double zero roulette. The digital roulette game does not offer la partage.

The best video poker at Bally’s is full-pay Jacks or Better. It starts at a quarter and goes to $10. Other 99 percent video poker games include 18/7/5 joker poker; 8/5 bonus poker and bonus aces and faces; and 9/7/5 double bonus poker. These games are spread in denominations from half-dollars to five dollars.

Total Rewards loyalty program

Total Rewards is the players club program at Bally’s Atlantic City. It is connected to all other Caesars Entertainment casinos.

Players earn one base point for every $5 wagered on slots and $10 for video poker. Games that return 99 percent or higher pay one point for every $20 or $50 wagered, depending on the machine. Each point is worth a penny. Points may be used at many retail outlets on the property, including restaurants.

Active Total Rewards players receive mailers. These may include free hotel stays, meals or slot play. Players may see all available rewards by logging onto the Total Rewards website. (Some are available only online.)

All Caesars Entertainment players should log onto Total Rewards before making any reservation. Some may find free hotel rooms at destinations away from their home casino market, even without a Total Rewards mailer notice. It is a special perk not common in any other casino’s VIP program.

Total Rewards players who earn at least 15,000 tier points in a year receive access to the Diamond Lounge. This is where the player and a guest may go to escape the casino floor and relax with complimentary drinks and appetizers.

Bally’s Atlantic City hotel

There are 1,753 hotel rooms at Bally’s Atlantic City. Rates start at $49 per night during weeknights offseason and go up to $350 on weekend nights.

The rooms at Bally’s are small. The typical size is 300 to 350 square feet. This means that its two-bed rooms have doubles, not queens. There is little difference in price and quality between the standard rooms in any of the towers. The Jubilee rooms are the most expensive.

Bally’s Atlantic City entertainment

Bally’s does not offer a wide range of entertainment. Much of it is in the Wild Wild West casino on the lower level, where guests will find live music and DJs. There is also a seasonal beach bar.

Bally’s Atlantic City restaurants

• Guy Fieri’s Chophouse: This is Bally’s only upscale dining option. The menu includes steak, burgers, seafood and chicken. Guy Fieri’s Chophouse is open for dinner Wednesday through Sunday.
• Buca di Beppo: This Italian dining option serves meals family-style. In addition to typical Italian fare, Buca di Beppo is open for breakfast and lunch seven days a week, each with its own menu. It is open for dinner Friday through Tuesday.
• Noodle Village: Noodle Village is a typical Asian noodle house. It is open for lunch, dinner and late night seven days a week.
• Harry’s Oyster Bar: Harry’s offers a raw bar, sandwiches and seafood option. It is open for lunch and dinner seven days a week.

Bally’s offers several quick-serve options. These are:

• Johnny Rockets
• Crafty Crab
• Boardwalk Cupcakes
• Gold Tooth Gerties
• Walt’s Primo Pizza
• Sack O’ Subs
• Dunkin’ Donuts

Wild Wild West, which is in the basement of Bally’s, has AC Snack Shack and Guy’s Bar-B-Que Joint as dining options.