Gaming briefs for Jan. 9, 2004

Friday, Jan. 9, 2004 | 11:15 a.m.

ATLANTIC CITY -- With parades, races, beach concerts and parties, Atlantic City will mark its 150th birthday with a yearlong celebration focusing on the seaside resort's past, present and future, officials said Thursday.

"By the end of the year, we will have had 150 events, at least," said talk show host Pinky Kravitz, chairman of the 150th Birthday Celebration events committee.

On March 3 -- 150 years to the day after Atlantic City was incorporated -- City Council officials and Mayor Lorenzo Langford will participate in a re-enactment of the original city charter signing.

On April 4, the city will stage "Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow," an entertainment event at Boardwalk Hall featuring live music, a museum of Atlantic City memorabilia exhibits and strolling entertainers.

Firm buys its Laughlin property

Archon Corp. of Las Vegas today said it purchased its Pioneer Hotel & Gambling Hall in Laughlin, which it had been leasing.

Archon said it purchased the property from an affiliate of GE Capital pursuant to an early purchase option under its existing lease agreement.

The price was about $36 million, $18 million of which was borrowed from a bank.

Archon said it intends to continue to operate the Pioneer in the same manner as it did when it was leasing the property and does not anticipate any significant changes.

In addition, Archon confirmed that last month it ceased operating Duke's Casino in Sparks in Northern Nevada. All of Duke's furniture, fixtures, gaming and non-gaming equipment and inventories were transferred to the Pioneer.

Two arrested in casino stunt

ATLANTIC CITY -- Two parachutists were arrested after they jumped from the roof of a casino building last weekend, spurring the casino's operators to again call for stiffer penalties that they said could deter others from trying such stunts.

David Vowles, 21, and Andrew Rossig, 23, both of Warwick, N.Y., were charged Saturday with criminal mischief and trespass after they plummeted more than 500 feet from the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and safely landed in a nearby parking lot, authorities said.

The pair allegedly gained access to the roof by using a crowbar to pry open a door in a stairwell on the 51st floor.