Picking a winner: GOP delegates hit Atlantic City for gambling

John Curran

Wednesday, Aug. 2, 2000 | 9:35 a.m.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Forget the red, white and blue. Bet your money on the black.

Spotting a lull in GOP convention activities, a busload of Kentucky delegation members trekked to Harrah's Atlantic City casino Tuesday to try picking another kind of winner.

The 50 conventioneers spent three hours in the casino, first getting a tour and a private lunch in the $13.99-a-head Fantasea Reef buffet before hitting the tables and slot machines.

State Sen. President David Williams went for the Double Diamonds slot machine, pumping in quarter after quarter. "I didn't win any money, but we had a wonderful lunch," he said.

GOP state Chairwoman Ellen Williams, no relation, spent $20 on slot machines but called it quits early.

"I'm a big high roller," she said, laughing. "Twenty dollars is my limit."

Lobbyist John T. McCarthy III and Jason Underwood, general counsel to David Williams, played blackjack and roulette.

"I'll probably lose it," said McCarthy, 32, of Louisville, betting $25 on 23 red. The ball spun, landing at 13 black. "There, I lost," he said, shaking his head.

The 55-mile bus ride from Philadelphia, which took about one hour each way, was no impromptu affair. An official from Churchill Downs racetrack called the casino last week to lay the groundwork, Harrah's spokeswoman Susan Kotzen said.

"He said the delegation was looking for a casino to visit," Kotzen said.

Arriving about 11 a.m., the conventioneers got a guided tour of the casino's high-roller suites, showrooms, restaurants and gift shops before the casino opened the buffet room early for them, Kotzen said. They paid full fare for the meal, she said.

"People were interested because it's Atlantic City," said McCarthy. "People wanted to check it out. It's like if you're within 100 miles of Las Vegas, you're definitely going to check it out."

A free trip to the "Atlantic City Boardwalk" was among the most popular day excursions for Pennsylvania's delegates as well Tuesday. About 20 people boarded the bus for the trip to "the historic and picturesque New Jersey Shore," as the Republican State Committee described it. Participants got free admission to a Faberge exhibit and a buffet lunch, but officials said they were free to visit the casinos as well.

Others drove down. Among them was convention delegate Marie Ingalls, 64, of Opal, S.D., who arrived in a rental car with husband Dale Ingalls, 66, and Eldon Jensen, the husband of South Dakota national committeewoman Mary Jean Jensen.

"I'm just looking for some entertainment, passing the time," said Ingalls, who wore a cream-colored T-shirt with an embroidered elephant.