Casino Hosts Gaming Industry Gala

29.07.2003, Lesen Sie hier den Bericht über «Casino Hosts Gaming Industry Gala».

Darrell Hammond of Saturday Night Live did his dead-on imitation of President Clinton. Hootie & The Blowfish rocked the joint. The menu featured delicacies ranging from duck prosciutto to Maine lobster. And singer Tom Jones and Phil Satre, chairman of Harrah's Entertainment Inc., accepted induction into the Gaming Hall of Fame.

It was the kind of high-end affair Las Vegas has come to know and love. But Saturday night, the American Gaming Association held its 15th Hall of Fame charity dinner and induction ceremony outside the desert for the first time, choosing the newly-opened Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa here to host the festivities.

The choice speaks to the rise in Atlantic City's cachet. Given the amount of money raised to support research through the National Center for Responsible Gaming, Atlantic City may not have to wait another 14 years to hold the event. The dinner raised a record $225,000, eclipsing the previous high of $150,000. "The Atlantic City community has given us an unprecedented level of support," said Dennis Eckart, chairman of the National Center for Responsible Gaming. "The significant funds raised here will go a long way in helping people affected by gambling disorders by supporting research, improving treatment, and increasing awareness of the problem."

The decision to stage the event here also coincided with the 25th anniversary of gaming in the resort, said Frank Fahrenkopf Jr., president and CEO of the AGA, a lobbying group for the gaming industry. "The trip to Atlantic City was long overdue," he said. "Atlantic City is no longer the half-sibling to Las Vegas," added Lloyd D. Levenson, a local gaming lawyer. Satre and Jones are now enshrined with 53 other hall of fame members, including Donald Trump, William Boyd, CEO of Boyd Gaming Corp., and J. Terrence Lanni, chairman of MGM Mirage.

In his acceptance speech, Satre credited Atlantic City for his rise from law school graduate to top man at Harrah's. "My association with Harrah's begins in 1978 and begins right here," said Satre, who visited the city shortly after Resorts opened, a time when guests waited in line just to get into the casino. "Were it not for Atlantic City 25 years ago, I would not be here tonight."

Thursday night marked the Atlantic City debut of The Blues Brothers slot machines at Borgata. The game is part of a series of slots based on Saturday Night Live characters. Others recognize the Church Lady and the Coneheads. As a tribute to the occasion, Blues Brother Dan Aykroyd played the inaugural game. Aykroyd donned Elwood Blues' trademark black suit and black sunglasses for the occasion.

Before trying his hand at two Blues Brothers games, Aykroyd glanced at the Coneheads slots, which feature his character, Beldar. "I know who he is," Aykroyd joked. Aykroyd, who arrived at the Borgata by motorcycle, said he was impressed by the slots, particularly the graphic design. "They did an incredible job. What a great display," he said.

Über Glücksspiele Las Vegas - Gambling in Las Vegas:

Las Vegas liegt im Westen der USA im Bundesstaat Nevada und ist das Glücksspiel-Paradies von Amerika.

Las Vegas hat rund 100 Spielcasinos. Im Bundesstaat Nevada sind sogar über 300 Spielcasinos registriert. Die grössten Casinos sind das Bellagio, Caesars Palace, Venetian / Palazzo, Wynn / Encore, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay.

Weitere bekannte Casinos sind das Mirage, frühere Heimat von Siegfried und Roy, das Luxor in Form einer Pyramide oder das Casino Rio All-Suite Hotel and Casino, in welchem jährlich die Pokerweltmeisterschaft (World Series of Poker WSOP) durchgeführt wird.

Die bekanntesten zwei Strassen sind der Las Vegas Boulevard, welcher auch als Las Vegas Strip bezeichnet wird. Daneben ist die Fremont Street eine gut besuchte Casino-Meile, wo beispielsweise das legendäre Casino Binion's (vormals Binion's Horseshoe) seine Spiele anbietet.

Las Vegas erstreckt sich über eine Fläche von 340 km2 und hat rund 650'000 Einwohner.

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