Issue 94
June 24 - 30, 2002
Volume 3
page 1

This Issue

Gaming News
Isle Of Capri Casinos Sets Sail With Isle Miles Reward Program

Ameristar Casinos Inc To Open St. Charles Casino Mid-Summer

The Borgata Topping-Off Ceremony Scheduled for June 21

Maryland’s Bingo Halls: Uncertain Future


Show Time

Peter Frampton will perform at Le Theatre des Arts at Paris Las Vegas Resort Casino on June 28-29


Column
Why Do Slot Players Win Big, When Table Games Have Lower Edge?

Travel Specials

Check out our entertainment highlights & upcoming tournaments

See the lucky winners

Take a look at these specials from our sponsors: Angel Citi Casino, Aces High Online Casino, Golden Tiger Casino, Blackdog Casino, Spin Palace

 

Not yet subscribed to the Casino City Newsletter? Sign up NOW!

Isle Of Capri Casinos Sets Sail With
Isle Miles Reward Program

BILOXI, MS - Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. recently introduced Isle Miles, an innovative frequent-player program which includes rewards through a partnership with Carnival Cruise Lines, the world's largest cruise operator.

The Isle Miles program adds a second aspect to the company's Island Gold Members Club, providing a deferred reward component. Players will continue to earn Island Gold points while also earning Isle Miles, which will allow them to select from premium gifts including Carnival's Fun Ship cruises. For each Island Gold point credited to a player's account, five Isle Miles are earned.

This two-pronged unprecedented approach allows for immediate and deferred benefits. Players will continue to receive cash back for Island Gold points and continue to earn Isle Miles points for long-term goals, such as free trips to any Isle property or a cruise. Island Gold points can still be redeemed immediately or be deferred by the customer. The combination of Island Gold points and Isle Miles gives players the most club choices in the industry.

The Isle Miles program is a module of the company's IsleOne marketing system's phase II implementation, which was completed in May. Phase I, introduced this spring, includes the one-card module, allowing players to use a single club card at the company's Isle and Rhythm City casinos.

The exclusive marketing partnership between Carnival and Isle of Capri is a unique approach for both industries. "It is a seamless fit -- we have players who enjoy cruises and Carnival's fleet of Fun Ships offer a variety of exciting gaming options. Our brands blend in the fact that we are both truly in the business of creating and selling fun," said Bernard Goldstein, chairman of the Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc.

"Carnival is delighted to partner with Isle of Capri Casinos to offer this value -- added amenity -- to its guests," said Bob Dickinson, Carnival president. "Gaming is a popular aspect of the Fun Ship cruise experience and this partnership represents our latest effort at broadening our reach to attract new consumers," he added.

"Isle Miles is fast, fun, free and easy, and with those qualities, we know it will be a success for building brand loyalty. With the combined strength of Carnival, the world's most popular cruise line, we have created a program that is new and different, but continues to rely on rewarding guests for their continued loyalty," said John M. Gallaway, president and chief operating officer.

Isle of Capri Casinos, Inc. owns and operates 15 riverboat, dockside and land-based casinos at 14 locations, including Biloxi, Vicksburg, Tunica, Lula and Natchez, Mississippi; Bossier City and Lake Charles (two riverboats), Louisiana; Black Hawk, Colorado; Bettendorf, Davenport and Marquette, Iowa; Kansas City and Boonville, Missouri; and Las Vegas, Nevada. The company also operates Pompano Park Harness Racing Track in Pompano Beach, Florida.

Carnival is the largest and most popular cruise line in the world with 16 Fun Ships operating voyages from three to 17 days in length to the Bahamas, Caribbean, Mexican Riviera, Alaska, Hawaii, the Panama Canal, Canada, New England, Bermuda and Europe. The line currently has five new ships with an estimated value of $2.2 billion scheduled for delivery between now and 2004. The first of these, the 88,500-ton Carnival Legend, is scheduled to debut Aug. 24,2002.


Ameristar Casinos Inc To Open
St. Charles Casino Mid-Summer

LAS VEGAS - Ameristar Casinos, Inc. announced on June 21 that its new casino and entertainment facility in St. Charles, MO is on schedule to open mid-summer. The opening date of the new facility, which features an open streetscape under an expansive, translucent skylight, an impressive casino and seven diverse dining and entertainment venues, will be announced shortly. The new casino and entertainment facility will replace the property's existing operations.S

The Company also announced that it has further expanded the build-out of the casino to now feature approximately 130,000 square feet of gaming space with 3,300 slot and video poker machines and 95 table games, including a live poker room. Due to the continuing growth in the dynamic St. Louis market, the Company plans to fully utilize the second level of the casino, a portion of which was previously reserved for future expansion. The casino will now be the largest in the metropolitan St. Louis market.

"When we acquired the St. Charles property, we made a commitment to bring the premier gaming and entertainment destination to the St. Charles community," said Craig H. Neilsen, the Company's Chairman, President and CEO. "With our recent design modifications, the casino will now be almost double the size of what we originally planned and the property will offer more than twice as many innovative dining and entertainment options."

With construction nearly complete, the Company now expects its total cost of construction of the new St. Charles facility, including furniture, fixtures and equipment, to be approximately $190 million. The increase over the previously announced $170 million construction cost is primarily attributable to the casino expansion, including approximately $5 million for additional gaming equipment, and other enhancements and scope changes implemented at the project as construction has progressed. Including the approximately $170 million spent by the prior owner, the total construction cost for the project is now expected to be approximately $360 million.

Ameristar Casinos, Inc. is an innovative, Las Vegas-based gaming and entertainment company known for its distinctive, quality conscious hotel-casinos and value orientation. Led by President and Chief Executive Officer Craig H. Neilsen, the organization's roots go back nearly five decades to a tiny roadside casino in the high plateau country that borders Idaho and Nevada. Publicly held since November 1993, the Company owns and operates six properties in Missouri, Iowa, Mississippi and Nevada, two of which carry the prestigious American Automobile Association's Four Diamond designation.

Win at Spin Palace!
Tell us what you think about our newsletter.
Copyright © 2000-2002 Casino City. All rights reserved
Casino City is a trademark of CasinoPromote.com. Please read our Disclaimer of Warranty