In 1985 my wife and I stayed exclusively at the Sands in Atlantic City. One morning about 3:00am my wife had a run-in with someone in the hotel that was not a guest, and pretty scary. So, I decided to check out this place called Harrah’s who advertised “The Better People Place”. We went there about 1:00pm in the afternoon and I was impressed…………..Most men wore sports jackets and the woman were neatly dressed. The players and staff were pleasant and courteous, and everyone was friendly. The rest is history………………… We have stayed at Harrah’s AC exclusively since then, staying as many as 30 nights per year. That is, until now………….
Last week we made the 9 ½ hour trip to AC and Harrah’s for the last time. You see, we are the evil people………………we smoke. We have always been conscious of people who don’t, and in fact, would never smoke at a table. Harrah’s is in the process of building a smoking “lounge” in the middle of the casino in preparation for the changes coming in October. No machines, no tables, and no one could tell me if they were even going to have furniture. Just an enclosed area for smokers, similar to those that used to be in airports, without the glass. I don’t know if you can even smoke in your room.
Since 1985, I have seen many changes at Harrah’s AC, some good, some not so good. I have watched it grow into an impersonal gaming venue that is now 160,000 s/f, pushing the threshold of my comfort. They built this magnificent pool for the 21 and up crowd where they through parties a few times a week. I happened by one night and it reminded me of Studio 54. Wall to wall people, and a waiting line to get in. I was told that their liquor revenue was astronomical ($15,000 per night), and this probably attributed to them being the only casino that made money last quarter. This would be fine, except for the people that they draw. I was told that the police are called in every Sat. night, and on at least one occasion, SWAT had to be called in because of the gang activity. On Sunday my wife went down to get me a cup of coffee and saw a City cop patrolling the casino on one of those two wheeled things.
Harrah’s sure aint what it use to be……………………. If this is what the new management group and Atlantic City calls progress, I guess I will have to take my action else where (and not be missed 
). It seems that they want the short term new money and are driving the steady old money away. They are now competing with the Borgata, but when something newer and better comes along, there goes the revenue. I will stick with Harrah’s, but not in Atlantic City…………….
