Harrah's Resort & Casino in Atlantic City.
Harrah's Resort & Casino in Atlantic City.Harrah's Atlantic City.

Casino Beat: Harrah’s tribute band concert series to mark the return of live entertainment to Atlantic City

The upcoming performances represent a small but crucial step towards a return to normalcy.

The COVID-19 pandemic has not only wreaked havoc on gambling at Atlantic City’s nine casinos, it has also dealt a serious blow to the town’s long-standing status as a show business capital. And while headliner gigs remain months away, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City has announced a series of musical performances to pick up the slack.

The gambling den’s Bayside Rock Live, which showcases acts that pay tribute to rock and pop acts of the 1970s and ‘80s, kicks off Aug. 28. All performances will take place on the parking lot adjacent to the casino’s Waterfront Conference Center.

The $44.50 admission fee (a portion of which is earmarked for the Community Food Bank of Southern New Jersey) provides guests 21 and older two socially-distanced viewing spaces including seating. Popcorn and soft and adult beverages will be available for purchase.

“Since reopening, Caesars Entertainment has been committed to offering our guests premier outdoor experiences that return them to the fun and first-class service they expect at our resorts,” said Senior Vice President and General Manager for Harrah’s Resort and Caesars Atlantic City Ron Baumann.

“On the heels of launching exciting al fresco dining concepts, Harrah’s Resort is thrilled to bring outdoor entertainment back to the market and offer our guests a unique Friday night experience to kick off the weekends here in Atlantic City.”

The lineup is as follows:

*Aug. 28: New York Bee Gees; doors: 7:00 p.m., show: 8:00 p.m.

*Sept. 4: Zoso (Led Zeppelin); doors: 6:30 p.m., show: 7:30 p.m.

*Sept. 11: DSB (Journey); doors: 6:30 p.m., show: 7:30 p.m.

*Sept. 18: Aeromyth (Aerosmith); doors: 6:30 p.m., show: 7:30 p.m.

*Sept. 25: Songs In The Attic (Billy Joel); doors: 6:00 p.m., show: 7:00 p.m.

*Oct. 2: Desperado (The Eagles); doors: 6:00 p.m., show: 7:00 p.m.

*Oct. 9: Tusk (Fleetwood Mac); 6:00 p.m., Show: 7:00 p.m.

*Oct. 16: The FABBA Show (ABBA); doors: 6:00 p.m., show: 7:00 p.m.

*Oct. 23: Beatles For Sale; doors: 6:00 p.m., show: 7:00 p.m.

Tickets must be purchased in advance here.

Hard Rock lands on free parking

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino is offering free self-parking through Oct. 31. The offer is open to all Wild Card rewards-card holders.

In Pennsylvania

The return of pro baseball, basketball and hockey last month helped Pennsylvania’s legal gambling halls keep pace with their July, 2019 numbers despite COVID-19-imposed restrictions.

According to figures released by the state’s Gaming Control Board, gross gaming revenues were $283 million. That represents a one-percent increase over last July’s number. Analysts point to the resumption of big-league sports as a main reason for the healthy—if not overwhelming—results.

The numbers posted by two Philly-area bricks-and-mortar casinos were especially strong: Parx Casino continued to lead the pack with just under $60 million—a 14 percent rise over last July. And Valley Forge Casino Resort took in just under $19 million, a whopping 57 percent year-to-year increase.

Other casino/sportsbooks showing upticks:

Hollywood Casino at Penn National: $28 million, up 34%.

Mount Airy Casino Resort: $28 million, up 69%.

Harrah's Philadelphia: $26 million, up 29%.

Mohegan Sun Pocono: $19.5 million, up 3%.

Casino Beat will appear Fridays and when news breaks. Chuck Darrow is Bettors Insider’s Casino Lifestyle Editor.

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