The Showboat in Atlantic City is making big plans for the summer season, with property owner Bart Blatstein leading the way. In a press conference, Blatstein unveiled the plans for the opening of the Lucky Snake at Showboat on May 15th. The Lucky Snake is set to become New Jersey’s largest arcade, spanning over 90,000 square feet.
Blatstein, who is the CEO of Tower Investments, Inc. and a Philadelphia-based developer, recently obtained the necessary approvals for the non-casino entertainment arcade. The Lucky Snake will feature a 25,000-square-foot sports bar with an e-sports gaming area and a boxing ring.
This new venture will occupy the space previously held by the former Showboat casino, which closed its doors in 2014. The announcement has generated excitement and anticipation for the opening of this expansive arcade in Atlantic City.
The Blessed Snake is somewhat more than a second AC Boardwalk arcade
The Lucky Snake at Showboat in Atlantic City is set to offer an extensive range of gaming options, making it the largest arcade on the boardwalk. Here are some of the highlights of what customers can expect:
– The world’s largest claw machine, reaching from floor to ceiling.
– Classic games from the 1980s to the present, providing a nostalgic gaming experience.
– Virtual reality games for an immersive and cutting-edge gaming experience.
– Basketball games for those who enjoy shooting hoops.
– Pinball machines, a favorite among arcade enthusiasts.
– Skee ball, a classic arcade game that tests your aim and skill.
In addition to the wide variety of games, customers at the Lucky Snake will have the opportunity to redeem their tickets for various prizes. These prizes range from small items like candy to more luxurious items like designer bags and jewelry. There will also be larger prizes available, including cars, motorcycles, and all-inclusive vacations.
The arcade will also feature a rewards program comparable to popular customer loyalty programs in the casino industry. Alongside the arcade, a speakeasy concept will be introduced, incorporating the iconic Marina sign that was once a prominent fixture on the Las Vegas Strip.
Bart Blatstein, CEO of Tower Investments, expressed excitement about the project and emphasized the goal of providing a family-friendly and year-round entertainment option in Atlantic City. The revamped Showboat gaming floor aims to deliver an exceptional experience for guests of all ages.
Blatstein is gently bringing Showboat back to life
The Showboat in Atlantic City has a rich history, dating back to its opening in March 1987 as a hotel, casino, and bowling alley. However, like three other Atlantic City casinos, it closed its doors in 2014. The property remained vacant until it was purchased by Bart Blatstein in January 2016 for $23 million. Blatstein reopened the Showboat as a non-gaming hotel in July of that year, marking the first of many changes in the Uptown area of the Boardwalk.
Other notable changes in the area include the transformation of the Trump Taj Mahal into the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City in 2018, as well as the reopening of the former Revel as the Ocean Casino Resort in the same year. While Blatstein considered bringing gambling back to the Showboat, his larger vision focuses on building an indoor water park on a vacant parcel of land between the Showboat and Ocean Casino Resort. The estimated cost of the project exceeds $90 million.
In December, the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA) approved a 20-year tax break for the project, which will operate year-round. The CRDA designated the project as an entertainment retail district, allowing it to receive an annual rebate of up to $2.4 million on sales made over a 20-year period. A groundbreaking date for the water park is expected to be announced soon.
But Blatstein’s plans don’t stop there. Future plans include the construction of a domed outdoor concert venue and a beer garden. However, the current focus is on the opening of the Lucky Snake arcade at the Showboat.
Stephanie Loder is mostly a freelance blogger. She has worked as a diligent news reporter, copyeditor, and Metro Manager for Gannett/USA Today in New Jersey and New York.
