Atlantic City casinos prep for biggest night

John Curran

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2003 | 11:28 a.m.

ATLANTIC CITY -- It's always party time in casinos.

On New Year's Eve, though, the stakes are higher. Gambling halls roll out the red carpet -- and the champagne, and the shrimp and the surf 'n turf -- for lavish invitation-only parties for high-rollers.

The parties, which can cost up to $500,000 each to stage, are aimed at thanking loyal customers for their patronage.

But the casinos benefit, too. New Year's Eve is the most lucrative night of the year at the slot machines, roulette wheels and blackjack tables, with much of the action fueled by invited guests who have already dropped thousands gambling there during the year.

"Whatever they spend on these parties, I'm sure they make it back in the casino," said casino expert John Alcamo, author of "How to Avoid Casino Traps."

This year, preferred gamblers up and down the Boardwalk will ring in 2004 with noisemakers, dance bands, complimentary gifts and more.

"It's the one night of the year when (gamblers) really dress up, if not in black tie, then to the nines," said Gary Luderitz, executive vice president for marketing at the Atlantic City Hilton.

The Hilton will host two parties, each for 600 people.

In a second-floor ballroom, the casino's top-tier customers will get a sit-down dinner of jumbo shrimp, tournedos of beef with rosemary demi-glaze, lobster tails, grilled loin of lamb and a white chocolate mousse dessert.

Prime Time Live, a 15-piece orchestra and dance band, will provide the entertainment in a Caribbean-themed atmosphere that includes seascape murals, faux ceiling fans and mood lighting. In addition, a $50,000 necklace will be given away in a promotion.

Downstairs, in the Hilton's theater, 600 lower rollers will be treated to finger foods and entertained by dance band Chez-Zam and an accompanying troupe whose dancers will fan out into the crowd, dancing with patrons.

Guests will be showered with gifts, too: In addition to the traditional New Year's Eve party favors, Hilton's invited guests will get crystal decanters, a bottle of Port wine and then a Lenox China dolphin as a "turndown gift" in their rooms.

At midnight, 1,000 blue and white balloons will drop from the ceiling to mark the arrival of 2004.

Over at Harrah's Atlantic City, about 1,200 invited guests will pack a royal blue-trimmed ballroom for "The Toast of the Town," a themed party featuring a disc jockey, remote-controlled disco balls and a sit-down dinner of filet mignon, lobster tails, seafood salad and dessert.

About 320 casino workers will staff the event.

"People don't get this kind of elaborate, extravagant entertainment any other place, at any other time of year," said LuAnn Pappas, vice president of casino marketing. "They like it because they get to drink, dance, play and then stay where they are, not have to drive or navigate the bars."

The party begins at 9:30 p.m., but if history is any indication, guests will begin lining up at 8 p.m. outside the ballroom, eager to land seats close to the dance floor.

But even those are saved -- for the highest of the high-rollers.

"Loyalty pays in this business," Pappas said.

At midnight Wednesday, 1,000 balloons will be dropped from a balcony onto the concourse of the casino.

Among the invited guests at Harrah's was Diana Davis, 61, of Park Ridge, who arrived Tuesday afternoon for a two-day stay. Some years she gets invited, some years she doesn't, depending on how much she has gambled at Harrah's that year.

"Believe me, we spent a lot of New Year's Eves at home, when the kids were small. Now, we have our choice."