HUNTSVILLE WOMAN HITS BIG JACKPOT AT FITZ CASINO, TUNICA, MISSISSIPPI

Parilee E. is the most recent big winner at Fitz Casino & Hotel.

Lucky lady is third big winner at Fitz in less than six months

(Tunica, Miss. December 17, 2013) A 62-year-old woman from Huntsville, Alabama is the latest big jackpot winner at the Fitz Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi.

On Saturday, Dec. 14, Parilee E. , a frequent Fitz patron, was playing a statewide progressive  25-cent Wheel of Fortune machine at the Fitz Casino when she hit a jackpot worth $152,609.48.  She estimates she had only been playing for about 3 minutes before winning big.

Parilee had one immediate reaction after hitting the jackpot. “Hallelujah!” She plans to use her winnings to remodel her home, and to help her daughter.

This is the third-largest jackpot to be won at the Fitz in the past six months. On Friday, June 28, Brunhilde C. won $8.3 million dollars as she played a 25-cent statewide progressive Wheel of Fortune® machine.  Lightning struck for a second time at the Fitz on July 21 as Christopher B. was playing a $5.00 statewide progressive Wheel of Fortune machine and hit a jackpot worth over $3 million dollars.

“We are thrilled for Parilee,” said Rick Casagrande, executive director of marketing for Fitz Casino & Hotel. “Three major jackpots in less than six months’ time definitely proves that it pays to play at the Fitz. Luck definitely lives here, and it’s here to stay!”

The Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica is located at 711 Lucky Lane in Tunica Resorts, Miss. The casino hosts more than 1,200 slot machines, 30 table games and a friendly casino staff.  Fitzgeralds offers the newest slot products available as well as the standard favorites. The gaming action at Fitzgeralds provides non-stop excitement with traditional games as well as some of the most innovative games available in the market. More information is available at www.fitzgeraldstunica.com.

Rudi Schiffer and his Goodtimes Radio Show moving to AM990 KWAM

First broadcast is Saturday, Jan. 4, at noon

'Voice of Tunica' a longtime casino news reporter

MEMPHIS – The Goodtimes Radio Show, now in its 20th year of broadcasting casino gaming news to the Mid-South, will move to KWAM990  beginning with its first show on Saturday, Jan. 4, 2014, at noon.

The move was necessitated by the sale of KXIQ AM 1180 by Pollack Broadcasting and the fact that the new owners will implement a country music format. KWAM, a CBS affiliate, has a format that includes talk radio, sports, and news. It entertains more than 50,000 daily listeners with a wide array of talent. 

The gaming content provided by Goodtimes is a first for the growing station. The Goodtimes Radio Show will also provide sports commentary.

“We welcome the show and its host/producer, Rudi Schiffer, who is well known in the market  as the “Voice of Tunica,” said George L. Bryant, president and general manager of  AM990 KWAM. “Obviously, with our nearby casino jurisdictions, gambling is very popular in this market and this is the only show that provides gaming tips, entertainment news, restaurant reviews, executive interviews and many comp giveaways.”

The show will reach a demographic of 35-plus in the primary listening area of Memphis, West Memphis and the Mid-South but with a reach all the way to Little Rock, Ark., to the west; Greenwood, Miss., to the south; Florence, Ala., eastward and  Jackson, Tenn., to the north. 

Features of the show will now include live streaming at KWAM990.com and there is a free app found on app store for cell phones. There will be live streaming on www.KWAM990.com. Follow Rudi Schiffer on Twitter @rudischiffer. Follow him on Facebook at GoodtimesRadio or check out his blog at goodtimesradio.blogspot.com.

BBQ, carnival rides, live music part of Smokin' Aces BBQ Festival at Harrah's Tunica, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20-22

TUNICA, Miss. — Family fun, barbecue attractions, carnival rides, and live entertainment without the hassle of huge crowds are all being served up at the fourth annual Smokin’ Aces BBQ Festival at Harrah’s Tunica, Friday-Sunday, Sept. 20 – 22. 
The Smokin’ Aces Festival includes a carnival with rides and concessions, an exotic petting zoo and a Kansas City Barbecue Society sanctioned barbecue contest with over $25,000 in prizes.
Also as a part of the Smokin’ Aces Fesitval, there will be an outdoor expo with cooking and grilling classes, a people’s choice BBQ competition judging for the general public, a slate of World-Class BBQ vendors and the Fearless Flores Motorcycle Wheel of Death Thrill Show as seen on “America’s Got Talent.”
Enjoy live musical entertainment on Friday by the Delta Cats and Saturday by Elmo and the Shades and The Blake Ryan Band.
There is no cost to enter the park. Unlimited carnival ride wristbands cost $15 Friday and $20 Saturday and Sunday and are available at the park for the festival.
The Smokin’ Aces Festival is located in the Veranda Hotel parking lot outside Harrah’s Tunica and the park is open to the general public Friday 3 to 10 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from noon to 8 p.m.
Visit www.smokinacesfestival.com andwww.smokeonthewaterbbq.com for more information.

Summer of million dollar jackpots at Mississippi casinos on Gulf Coast & in Tunica

State is third in the nation for million dollar casino jackpots

by David Grisham

MISSISSIPPI — Progressive jackpots have gotten a lot of attention in Mississippi lately. Four guests playing at Mississippi casinos have hit millionaire-maker jackpots so far this summer.

The recent spate of MegaJackpots began when an Indiana women, Brunhilde C., hit a $8,316,562 jackpot on a 25-cent Wheel of Fortune machine at Fitz Casino & Hotel in Tunica on June 28. 

Then Charles R. of Alabama hit a $1.5 million jackpot hit on a Wheel of Fortune penny machine at Hard Rock Biloxi on July 2. On July 19, a MegaJackpot hit yet again at Hard Rock. This one was on a Wheel of Fortune 3x4x5x Double Time - Spinning Reel slot machine. It was worth $2,109,783 and went to Aaron K. of Louisiana. 

Several days later, a Mississippi man hit a MegaJackpot at Fitz on a Wheel of Fortune Double Diamond slot machine for a whopping $3,031,092. 

“Two life changing, multi million dollar jackpots in one month certainly reinforces our motto that ‘Luck lives at the Fitz’,” said Rick Casagrande, executive director of marketing for Fitz Casino & Hotel. “My only question is, who is next?”

With title of top jackpot in the state going to Hard Rock and some other multi-million dollar jackpots also mentioned in this article, one might wonder where the recent $8.3 million and $3 million jackpots at the Fitz fall. Here are the largest progressive slot jackpots ever to hit in Mississippi. The $3 million jackpot didn’t make the list.

Read this and more at www.jackpotmagazine.com.

1. $14,387,950 at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Biloxi on Feb. 10, 2009.

2. $13,789,894 at Isle Casino Biloxi on May 21, 2003.

3. $12,845,484 at Treasure Bay Resort & Casino Biloxi on March 1, 2003.

4. $12,380,289 at Isle Casino Biloxi on June 29, 2006.

5. $10,295,956 at Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica on March 21, 2002.

6. $10,185,288 at Horseshoe Tunica on Aug. 8, 1999.

7. $9,942,615 at Beau Rivage in Biloxi on Dec. 27, 2002.

8. $9,866,728 at Rainbow Casino Vicksburg on June 10, 2000. 

9. $8,316,562 at Fitz Casino & Hotel Tunica on June 28, 2013.

10. $8,224,611 at Isle Casino Biloxi on March 19, 2006.

Big wins and progressive jackpots are monumental to players who take home the winnings. After hitting the most recent MegaJackpot at Hard Rock, Aaron K. said he made a phone call to his mother Barbara to come down to the casino floor. “She wouldn’t have believed me if I told her over the phone.” As Barbara walked up, she thought something was wrong with her son. “His face was a white as a sheet.” Aaron said he plans to use his winnings to start a restaurant.

Some jackpot winners make seemingly modest plans after hitting it big. Brunhilde, the recent $8.3 million jackpot winner at Fitz, said she planned to use some of her winnings on college tuition for her grandchildren and said that she would also “like a new kitchen.”

After hitting the largest jackpot ever in Mississippi, a reporter asked the $14 million winner at Hard Rock, “Any idea what you’re going to do first when you leave here?” He replied, “Um, no, really don’t. Probably go home and feed the dogs and the cat.” He did say, however, that he would pay off some bills and keep enjoying life.

Winning a million dollar or multi-million dollar jackpot is always big news and creates quite a buzz among players and non-players alike. While its news, one might be surprised to know that these huge jackpots happen quite often. How often? IGT MegaJackpot games have created more than 1,500 millionaires, more than any other gaming manufacturer. On average, an IGT MegaJackpot is won every 30 hours somewhere in the country. The company has paid nearly $6 billion and made more than 1,500 millionaires.

Mississippi is no stranger to huge jackpots. In a recently released infographic by International Game Technology looking at the history of MegaJackpot millionaires, it illustrates that the Magnolia State is the third winning state in the country, trailing only Nevada and New Jersey. Considering that more than 20 states have legalized casino gaming and that nearly $6 billion in MegaJackpot winnings have been awarded by IGT since 1986, this is no small feat.

Mississippi’s $513 million in MegaJackpots puts it ahead of forth-place California by more than $80 million. Here is a list of the top five states and jackpot amounts as of July 8, 2013:

Nevada: $2.3 billion

New Jersey: $884 million

Mississippi: $515 million

California $429 million

Louisiana: $307 million

The $513 million figure will have to be adjusted to include the rash of jackpots that have happened since it was released. 

These seven-figure jackpots are great for the players who hit them, but what do they mean for the casinos where they take place? We posed this question to casino executives.

Alan Godfrey, executive director of the Mississippi Gaming Association (MGA), said the recent progressive jackpots, along with some recent major giveaway promotions, have created a lot of excitement for the state gaming industry,  particularly in Tunica. “There has been a lot of million dollar payouts,” he said. 

“That’s good news for Tunica.” 

Two MegaJackpots in one month is a stroke of good fortune for Hard Rock, but the casino is no stranger to big jackpots. “We always say, ‘winners play here,’ and those big jackpots just reinforce it,” said Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Biloxi’s General Manager Duncan McKenzie. “We have been so fortunate to have the most Wheel of Fortune jackpots hit right on the Gulf Coast at the Hard Rock Casino Biloxi.” 

McKenzie said big progressive jackpots generate a lot of excitement. “It definitely creates a lot of buzz on and around the property. We still get to talk about the thrilling $14 million dollar Wheel of Fortune that hit in 2009 - the largest jackpot in Mississippi.” The GM said progressive play picks up when a big jackpot hits, too, which is good for business. “We do see an up-tick in progressive play when a progressive jackpot hits. It is a reminder to our guests that you could be next.”

He added that Wheel of Fortune slot machines are a good draw for casinos. “It is a very popular game. It has a great following and the most exciting aspect of it is that is has a top award that is a life-changing event.”

Brian Bass, regional manager of gaming strategy for Beau Rivage and Gold Strike casinos, said big jackpots are good for the casino and the guests. “To have a life-changing jackpot take place at your resort is great for business and generates a lot of enthusiasm,” he said. Beau Rivage was the site of a $9,942,615 jackpot in 2002.

Progressive jackpots offer players a chance at big money - five-and six-figure payouts. And they are more common than one might think, he said, citing that Gold Strike was home to 15 such jackpots and counting. This chance at big payouts attracts players, Bass said, explaining that wide-area jackpots are the most popular machines on the floor. “We manage them closely so they are going to stay popular. The manufacturers put their best content on wide-area progressives — Wizard of Oz, Tarzan, Wheel of Fortune — the most popular games are the wide-area progressives and they are available in all denominations.”

Bass added that the highest occupancy machine on the floor is the 25-cent Wheel of Fortune. Wide-area progressive machines, such as the Wheel of Fortune, cost casinos more than others, so they make up a smaller percentage of machines on the floor, he said. The facts bare this out. According to MGA Executive Director Godfrey, there are roughly 740 wide-area progressive machines in the state. In the AGA State of the States report, Mississippi is listed as having 32,414 machines in commercial casinos.

Take the 'Big Burger Challenge' at Resorts Casino Tunica

Set sights high when tackling casino's signature burger

by David Grisham

The Big Burger!

TUNICA, Miss. — Resorts Casino’s Big Burgers restaurant is aptly named. It offers a variety of larger burgers on its menu, with many of them weighing in at an impressive third-of-a-pound. The third-pound burger is not the largest on the menu by a long shot, however.

The title of “largest burger” goes to the “Big Burger,” which weighs in at about six pounds. Yes, you heard right. The burger tips the scales at about six pounds.

It’s stacked high with beef patties, cheese, lettuce, tomatoes and purple onions, resting on a toasted bun and topped with dill pickles.

It is so big, Resorts Casino is offering $250 to the individual who can eat a Big Burger within one hour in August and September, 2013. This burger is dine-in only, so don’t try this at home.

You might want to bring some friends should you decide to take the challenge. I brought along a party of four and ordered the Big Burger. It wasn’t long before I found myself employing their help to finish it off. We had fun trying to defeat the mammoth creation and enjoyed chronicling the adventure through Facebook posts.

One thing for sure, when the Big Burger is served up, it gets the attention of everyone in the restaurant. All eyes were focused as we ceremoniously walked the skyscraper of a burger to our table. I would advise holding the platter underneath with one hand and placing another hand on the crown of the sandwich. The sheer height of the Big Burger makes transporting it somewhat of a balancing act. The Big Burger costs $24.99.

If the Big Burger is too big, keep in mind that one can order a variety of burgers for between $7.99 and $8.99 in most cases. For an additional charge, make it a double (2/3 lb.) or triple (1 lb.) and add cheese. All burgers are served with a choice of fries or chips.

Kellsey Turner and Chef De Cuisine Michael Gordon

We sampled a Back to the Basics burger and enjoyed the juicy flavor of the burger and particularly liked the honey-glazed bun. Some other burger choices include a turkey burger, a garden burger, a Deep South Burger (topped with fries, onion rings and American Cheese), a chili burger, The Club burger, a N’awlins burger (patty topped with fried shrimp, remoulade and cheddar), and more.

New Bally's Casino Tunica GM takes a personal approach

Great changes ahead at Mid-South casino

By David Grisham

The best place to find the new general manager at Bally’s Casino Tunica is out on the casino floor among the guests, or in the kitchen getting input from staff. That’s because Eddie Llambias is taking a hands-on approach to managing Bally’s.

It didn’t take long for this writer to figure it out. “Mr. Llambias? He’s out in the casino somewhere,” a security guard told me, smiling, as I arrived at Bally’s for an an interview. “He’s always out here somewhere. He likes to be out with the people. I’ll get him for you.”

Llambias soon greeted me in front of his office. Walking briskly towards me, he reached out his hand and warmly welcomed me, “Hello, David?” It is at this moment that I discovered he wasn’t from these parts. His British accent gave him away. 

Llambias hails from Englan

Bally’s Casino GM Eddie Llambias, center, visits with kitchen staff.

d. His 30-year career in gaming began in the heart of London in 1983. It was then that he answered a newspaper ad in the London Evening Standard for a dealer. Since that time he has worked all over the world at a variety of locations and at closer destinations such as Biloxi and Shreveport. 

The personable Llambias came on board at Bally’s a couple of months ago, at about the time Tony Scudiero took the helm at Bally’s sister property, Resorts Casino. Both casinos are managed by Foundation Gaming Group. 

Llambias, who has previously worked with members of the executive team at Foundation Gaming, said the decision to take the post at Bally’s was an easy one. “It was an opportunity to work with a brilliant group of individuals for whom I greatly trust and respect.”

Since arriving at Bally’s, Llambias has met most of the employees at the casino and has good things to say about them. “I’m impressed with the the genuine, authentic hospitality here. The bulk of the tenure (of employees) is in the 12- to 15-year range. Our staff is friendly and helpful, and there is no shortage of skill. I’m impressed with the skill level of our dealers and the skill sets of our management. And in the main kitchen the vibe is so positive.”

Llambias believes the skilled and experienced team, along with the positive energy demonstrated by employees, provides the foundation to take Bally’s to a higher level. “What it does for me, metaphorically, is it provides a wonderful canvas to paint on,” he said. It is on that canvas that energetic GM hopes to paint a picture of fun and excitement. 

The assessment of the staff comes not from spreadsheets and upper-level management meetings (although he admits to both meetings and number-crunching), but rather from being out on the floor and in the service areas of the property. “I want to see things for myself. I’m interested in a customer’s real experience. I want to hear it from the customers’ mouths. I want to hear it from my employees’ mouths.”

It is no surprise, then, that Llambias wants to meet guests not only casually, on the grounds of the property, but also through such means as general manager cocktail parties, where he can shake hands and interact one on one.

And Llambias doesn’t just say “we’re all in this together” when espousing his hands-on approach with the Bally’s staff, either. He demonstrates it by working side by side with employees, on the casino floor, in the kitchen and at the hotel. He dines in the employee dining room. He talks to and listens to his employees. And he has even been known to operate a carpet sweeper. 

Working together to fulfill an objective, one can hold people accountable, he explained, and give employees a sense of the future and a sense of hope working toward an objective — “You build a team and move the needle.” 

Moving the needle will be due in large part to the relationship between Bally”s long-term employees and the casino’s loyal customer base. Those relationships, combined with popular promotions and new and up-to-date slot machines are helping the casino reach new goals.

The slate of promotions has grown larger as of late at the casino and new developments are on the horizon. In addition to recently adding 170 new slot machines, Bally’s has pumped up the energy and the volume with Boogie Nights on Friday and Saturday nights. On weekends from 8 p.m. to 1 a.m., a disc jockey plays disco and pop music from the ’70s, ’80s and ’90s in the casino atrium. It is what Llambias calls “environmental entertainment.” The DJ is free to walk around and mingle with guests. The response has been great, he said. “Our customers love it.”

Customers also loved a recent invitation-only concert by Keith Sweat. The outdoor event drew throngs of fans, who poured into the casino for gaming action after the concert. There is even more on tap for guests in July, as Bally’s features a dance club on Fridays and Saturdays incorporating a dancing entertainer in a club-like atmosphere. There will also be a car giveaway every Friday. And on the casino floor, Bally’s is offering live gaming action 24/7, ensuring there is always a table game to play. It is adjusting its house rules where a dealer stands on a Soft-17, giving players a slight edge in blackjack and offering a new $1 blackjack game, too.

Also coming this month, new items will appear on the buffet, at the Silo and at The Barn. The new selections are a result of internal competitions between members of the food and beverage team. The winners will have their creations available on restaurant menus and winners’ photographs will be on display for guests to see.

Llambias and the Bally’s team are painting a picture for Bally’s guests, a picture that will no doubt be full of fun and excitement.

New Buffet Americana is more restaurant than buffet at Gold Strike Casino Resort

by Rudi Schiffer

TUNICA RESORTS — Gold Strike Director of Culinary Operations Andrew Smith is paying close attention these days to the casino’s new star, Buffet Americana, and frequents the room to keep tabs on service and hear what guests have to say.

“The most frequent query is whether this is a buffet or a high-end restaurant,” he says. “I respond that it is what it is, an upscale, specialty foods market and diners can make their own judgment.” He added… “The amount of visitors bears out that we created a room that was specific to our casino and it is accepted as such.”

When MGM Resorts International brass made the decision to forge ahead with the $8 million project, the basis of it was that the casino served huge amounts of guests and a new look, a new approach was needed to continue delivering a first class food promise in an inspired setting.

Rudi Schiffer enjoys lobster at Buffet Americana.

A compelling feature of the room is the large skylight centered above the M life seating area reserved for Platinum and Gold card members. It infuses the 13,500 square foot room with natural light, a rare find in any casino and a welcome one. Just recently General Manager Niklas Rytterstrom offered a four-day free buffet giveaway to introduce the room to current and new M life card members. The response was overwhelming with an estimated $500,000 worth of food comped. 

“The room is living up to its promise and in fact exceeds our guests expectations,”  said Rytterstrom. “We have raised the culinary bar in Tunica with fresh gourmet food selections, interactive food stations and an intriguing design concept that make it all unique. The work of our staff and SLDesign have resulted in a one-of-a-kind restaurant and will have customers coming back for more.”

Behind the scenes some important support work was also performed.  The front and back-of-the-house  staff of five chefs and 80 servers and other personnel underwent vigorous training to deliver the concept both visually and gastronomically.

 The emphasis is on fresh, made-to-order meals at stations that recreate the feeling of an upscale specialty food market. Many stations, including those offering pasta, omelets, wood-fired pizza and a customized Mongolian grill give diners the option of creating their own dishes while chefs prepare them quickly on the spot. Other contemporary cooking concepts are kabobs, Tikka skewers, and freshly baked Indian breads prepared in the only Tandori oven in the area. 

Seafood also plays a vital role in the fresh offerings on Friday and Saturday nights. The weekend buffet caters to seafood lovers and for $25.99 guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat snow crabs on Friday nights and all-you-can-eat lobster every Saturday night. The selections also include shrimp, salmon, Tilapia, Jonah crab claws, oysters, sushi and much more. Also on the weekend complimentary beer and wine make it that much more enjoyable.

Buffet Americana  is open for breakfast  ($10.99), lunch ($13.99) and dinner ($20.99). The champagne brunch, offered Saturday and Sunday, features a variety of dishes and complimentary Bloody Marys and Mimosas  for $20.99.

Rudi Schiffer is a columnist for Jackpot! Magazine and host of the Goodtimes Radio Show on KXIQ 1180AM. Listen on Friday afternoons from 2 to 5 p.m. Read Jackpot! at www.jackpotmagazine.com.

Indiana Woman Hits $8.3 million Jackpot at Fitz Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi

Indiana Woman Strikes It Rich at Fitz Casino

TUNICA RESORTS — A 74-year-old woman from West Baden, Indiana has more than 8 million new reasons to smile. On Friday, June 28, Brunhilde C. hit the jackpot of a lifetime at the Fitz Casino & Hotel in Tunica, Mississippi.  Brunhilde, a frequent Fitz patron, won a jackpot worth $8,316,562.59 as she played a 25-cent statewide progressive Wheel of Fortune machine.

Brunhilde, who is retired, was stunned when she hit the jackpot. “At first, I thought, ‘Oh, I think I won! Did I win?’”

The new multi-millionaire plans to use some of her winnings on college tuition for her grandchildren. She’d also like a new kitchen.

“The Fitz’ motto is ‘Luck Lives Here,’” said Rick Casagrande, executive director of marketing for Fitz Casino & Hotel. “Brunhilde is the latest example, an 8 million dollar example, that it certainly does!”

This is among the largest MegaJackpots to be won in the state of Mississippi.

The new $8 million Buffet Americana opens at Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, Miss.

TUNICA RESORTS — On May 31, MGM Resorts International’s (NYSE: MGM) Gold Strike Casino Resort made all-you-can-eat history with the grand opening of its new $8 million Buffet Americana.

It’s not just because the buffet – the culmination of a multi-year, multimillion-dollar property transformation – aims to raise the culinary bar in Tunica with fresh gourmet selections, interactive food stations, and an intriguing design concept by renowned Philadelphia-based firm SLDesign.

While those elements are certainly noteworthy, there’s one more detail that’s going to be turning heads – and forks: Your first meal at Buffet Americana is on the house.

Gold Strike’s “The First One’s On Us” promotion will run June 10-13, at which time members of the free-to-join M life club will receive one complimentary meal. To receive an M life card, patrons simply need to go to the M life desk at Gold Strike and register. The process takes less than five minutes to complete.  

The Buffet Americana's design pays tribute to the region.

“We’re so certain that Buffet Americana will exceed our guests’ expectations and have them coming back for more that we’re going to give them their first meal absolutely free,” said Niklas Rytterstrom, general manager of Gold Strike Casino Resort. “America is a great melting pot of diverse cultures and flavors and this authentic dining experience is going to engage, entertain and elevate the concept of the traditional casino buffet.”

The buffet’s design pays tribute to the region. Wall panels, ceiling beams and food stations crafted from Southern Heart Pine, and a large skylight infusing natural light generate a sense of warmth, comfort and familiarity rarely found in a casino dining setting. Arresting art displays inspired by the area’s textile industry are a prominent design component. The authenticity, versatility and widespread appeal of Levi’s 501 jeans provide a significant design inspiration, and denim weaves its way through the space. 

A large skylight infuses natural light.

“Levi’s is in kind of a unique position for an American brand in terms of how universally accepted it is,” said lead designer Chris Sheffield, founder of SLDesign. “Whether out in the nightclub or out in the field, people feel comfortable in those jeans. We want Buffet Americana to have that same kind of broad appeal.”

The new 13,500-square-foot restaurant will emphasize fresh, made-to-order meals at stations designed to recreate the feeling of an upscale specialty food market. Many stations – including those offering pasta, omelets, wood-fired pizza and a customized Mongolian grill, to name just a few – will allow diners to design their own dishes while chefs prepare them fresh on the spot. Buffet Americana will introduce a contemporary cooking concept to the Mid-South with delicious kabobs, Tikka skewers and freshly baked Indian breads prepared in the only Tandoori oven found in Mississippi. Other sections will offer traditional Southern cooking favorites and seafood selections while highlighting ingredients from local farms and suppliers. 

The weekend at Buffet Americana will cater to seafood lovers. For $25.99, guests can enjoy all-you-can-eat snow crabs every Friday night and the region’s only all-you-can-eat whole lobster every Saturday night. The seafood buffet will spotlight a variety of seafood dishes such as peel and eat shrimp, fried shrimp, Potato Crusted Salmon, Blackened Tilapia with cheddar cheese grits, Seafood Stuffed Eggplant, Moroccan Fish Tagine, Jonah crab claws, oysters, sushi and much more. Buffet Americana guests’ can enjoy complimentary beer and wine every Friday, Saturday and Sunday night – the area’s only restaurant offering of its kind.

Radio host Rudi Schiffer enjoys lobster.

Buffet Americana is open for breakfast, lunch and dinner. Hours of Operation are: Monday-Thursday 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.-9:30 p.m.; Friday 7 a.m.- 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.-12 a.m.; Saturday 8 a.m.-12 a.m. and Sunday 8 a.m.-9:30 p.m. Breakfast is $10.99; Lunch is $13.99; Dinner is $20.99. The Champagne Brunch, offered Saturday and Sunday, features a variety of dishes and complimentary Bloody Marys and Mimosas for $20.99.

Gold Strike Casino Resort, MGM Resorts International's 1,200-room resort located 20 minutes south of Memphis in Tunica, Miss., recently completed the largest renovation and remodeling project in its history. The multi-million dollar transformation included all of Gold Strike's deluxe rooms and suites, hotel lobby, 30,000-square-foot conference and convention center, casino, high-limit gaming area, Chicago Steakhouse and the new Buffet Americana. The resort also features a refreshing spa and salon, the 800-seat Millennium Theatre, Atrium Café and 50,000 square feet of gaming space with 53 table games and more than 1,200 slot machines. For reservations or information, call 888-245-7529 or visit www.goldstrike.com.

The Buffet American recreates the feeling of an upscale specialty food market.

The Buffet American introduces a contemporary cooking concept to the Mid-South region.

This renovation is one of many that have taken place at Gold Strike recently.

Patrons can have dishes made to order at many stations.

Executive Chef Andrew Smith and Gold Strike GM Niklas Rytterstrom previewed the buffet for Jackpot! Magazine.

American Buffet Chef Terrence Ward shows off one of the many impressive cooking areas of the buffet.

 The region’s only all-you-can-eat whole lobster is available every Saturday night.

Are you hungry yet?

The spacious buffet also offers traditional Southern foods highlighting ingredients from local farms and suppliers.

MGM Resorts International (NYSE: MGM) is one of the world's leading global hospitality companies, operating a portfolio of destination resort brands including Bellagio, MGM Grand, Mandalay Bay and The Mirage. The Company also owns 51% of MGM China Holdings Limited, which owns the MGM Macau resort and casino and is in the process of developing a gaming resort in Cotai, and 50% of CityCenter in Las Vegas, which features ARIA resort and casino.  For more information about MGM Resorts International, visit the Company's website at www.mgmresorts.com. 

New Resorts Casino GM Tony Scudiero to instill a fun culture

Resorts Casino Tunica

Gaming Industry veteran makes customer service top priority at Tunica casino

by David Grisham

TUNICA RESORTS — Tony Scudiero has to smile. It’s not just because he recently took the post of vice president and general manager at Resorts Casino. Scudiero has to smile because he is having fun, and having fun is a big part of who he is and what he believes.

Since his arrival last month at Resorts — after serving in top executive posts for the past 12 years at Isle of Capri properties — smiles have been multiplying exponentially at the Tunica casino. Making people smile is a key component of the Scudiero philosophy, which he began to implement immediately upon setting foot in Tunica. 

Tony Scudiero

“I want to instill a fun culture here at Resorts,” he said. “I don’t wear a suit. Our employees won’t wear suits. We want a casual atmosphere here with our people. We want them to have fun and to be comfortable. When people feel comfortable, they are happier and they perform better. We’ll have table game supervisors wearing polos and khakis rather than shirts and ties.”

Scudiero, who said he likes a hands-on approach, spending time on the casino floor talking with employees and patrons, can attribute part of this approach to customer interaction and observation. “When you walk around in a suit and tie and see a guest with a problem, the guest gets very defensive, thinking, ‘Who is this suit?’ You don’t want them in that position. You want them to be at ease.” 

The casual but neat dress, he emphasized, makes one more approachable. Approachable is another way to describe Scudiero, who will tell you to call him “Tony.” It is the name he goes by professionally and with close friends and family, even though his given name is Anthony, and it all seems to tie together somehow.

This philosophy of fun is something Scudiero knows a lot about. It is intertwined through his past successes in the gaming industry and he is looking to bring more fun to guests at Resorts. While at Isle of Capri Casino in Natchez, Miss., for instance, he emphasized customer service through the “See, Say, Smile” program and helped take the casino from last to first among Isle properties.

“Natchez had the trophy more than anyone,” Scudiero said, admitting he has a competitive streak. The customer service initiatives at the property also helped it to become the first casino in the group to get 100 percent on a secret shopper evaluation, he said.

Scudiero explained why customer service will be a key focus at Resorts Casino, saying “When you have nine casinos offering many of the same things, why do you go to the one you go to? The No. 1 answer is ‘customer service.’ Cleanliness and product would be second and third.”

The seasoned casino executive — he started in 1986 as a poker chip runner in Las Vegas — is bringing a lot to Resorts, but he is also coming into a lot. “I’m happy to be on board with Foundation Gaming and happy to be working here. The nice thing about Foundation Gaming, they told the GMs (at Resorts and its sister property, Bally’s), ‘you are here to run the property. Whatever you need, let us know.’ Often things are just a phone call away. Things get done. They say, go with it and you go with it. It’s not a larger corporate structure where you have to go through 50 levels.”

About Resorts, Scudiero said, “It’s a big facility and a great property. I had not been here in about six years and when I had the chance to visit recently, I was blown away by the renovations. The hotel lobby looks fantastic, there are a lot of new slot machines and it’s very clean.”

Scudiero is excited not only by the property at Resorts Casino, but also by its many long-term employees. “I met one of our bartenders, Johnny, who has been here 20 years. A lot of people have been here more than 10 years. I’ve met 90 percent of the folks and they’ve been very warm to me.”

The general manager said he has been out on the floor with guests, too, and upon introducing himself, not one person has complained. “They’ve been very complimentary of our people and talked about what a pleasure it is to come here. We’ve got some good employees who have been here through good and bad times, through the flood, and continue to take care of our guests.”

Although he has only been in place for one month, some new things are already on tap. In June, look for Karaoke Night on Mondays, Open Mike Night on Wednesdays and on Fridays, Resorts is opening up the stage for bands to come and perform for guests.

Big-name entertainment coming up includes Diamond Rio on Saturday, June 8, at 8 p.m., and another installment of Rumble at Resorts MMA is set for Saturday, June 22. This summer, Resorts has joined as a sponsor of Delta Country Jam Music Festival, set for Friday and Saturday, Oct. 4-5, at the Abbay & Leatherman Plantation, located off Casino Strip Blvd. This festival will be headlined by country music megastar Tim McGraw.

Look for popular dining options to continue at Resorts, too, like the Steak and Lobster Special for $19.99 at TJ’s Steakhouse. And guests can continue to enjoy the Big Burger at Resorts’ Big Burger restaurant.  Stay tuned, also, for promotional tie-ins with Riverbend Links, the golf course located behind Resorts Casino. More importantly, though, look for the smiles when you visit Resorts. They will be everywhere.

Jackpot! covers Mississippi casinos in Tunica, Biloxi, Gulfport, Vicksburg, Greenville, Lula and at Pearl River Resort as well as West Memphis

The New Jackpot!

MISSISSIPPI — Jackpot! Magazine has been covering the Mississippi casino scene since the very beginning. The South's Leading Guide to Gaming & Fun has undergone some exciting changes for 2013 - going from a newsprint publication to a glossy magazine. We're also available online.
Jackpot! is now published every-other-week in a format that is more conducive for use on iPads and tablets. You can now download Jackpot! to your iPad or tablet simply by clicking the link on our website's landing page.
Read Jackpot! for news on poker, blackjack and slot tournaments, casino giveaways and promotions, extra-points days, entertainment, dining specials and more. We offer gaming advice columns, news about big winners and even horoscopes. Jackpot! covers all of the casinos in Mississippi - on the Gulf Coast, in the Delta along the Mississippi River, from Tunica to Lula to Greenville to Vicksburg. Jackpot! even keeps folks up to date on gaming in West Memphis, Arkansas as well as Mississippi's Pearl River Resort.
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Harlow's Casino Resort & Spa celebrates grand opening this weekend

Harlow's Casino celebrates its official grand opening in Greenville this weekend with a ribbon-cutting on Friday and a Chevy Malibu Giveaway on Friday and Saturday

GREENVILLE, Miss. — A little more than a year ago, Harlow’s Casino Resort & Hotel broke ground on a $16 million construction protect to renovate, improve and add new amenities to the resort property. This Friday, Harlow’s will cut the ribbon and celebrate the official grand opening of the new Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa. Improvements include a number of new additions, including the Delta Delights Buffet, Louie’s Steakhouse, The Event Center, the Wood House Day Spa, a fitness center, a swimming pool and a business center. Construction on the new event space began in early 2012 and all of the renovation and remodeling work was completed on schedule.

The Event Center takes the place of Harlow’s previous entertainment venue, which sustained significant damage during historic Mississippi River flooding. The flooding temporarily shuttered the facility in May of 2011. 

Drive home from Greenville in a new Chevy Malibu.

The new event center is now a multi-functional facility and is able to host a number of events, including business meetings and seminars, private parties and receptions, musical performances and other forms of live entertainment. 

Harlow’s General Manager Reggie Fullwood said guests who have seen the new Harlow’s have been thoroughly impressed. One area that has captured the attention of players is the new buffet. “Our buffet has a better decor and feel, an upgraded menu and new recipes to go along with guests favorites. We have a new executive chef and we’re offering a better quality taste profile and product. There is a new energy here and guests really feel it.” 

The Event Center is also generating positive buzz and is proving to be an asset to Greenville and the county, providing space for parties, meetings and more. The center has already hosted a number of holiday celebrations and special events, as well as concerts by Keith Sweat and Travis Tritt. “Everyone is excited about The Event Center,” Fullwood said. “It is a very intimate space. There is not a bad seat in the house.”

You won’t have to wait to see a concert or dine at the buffet to see the changes at Harlow’s, though. People visiting the resort will notice the difference in the property the minute they walk through the front door. “We’ve redesigned the lobby for a more contemporary look,” Fullwood said, “and we’ve added a Harlow’s Museum showcasing the history and talents of the Delta through partnerships with area museums.” The partnerships—the first being with the B.B. King Museum—provide an opportunity for Harlow’s to share artifacts with guests and help them connect to the Delta. 

Addressing some of the other changes at Harlow’s, the general manager pointed to the new upscale spa as an amenity that provides something new and different to the area. The closest spa in the region is located in Greenwood. The swimming pool, he said, is an amenity guests can enjoy during the summer months. 

“We want to provide more and this renovation and expansion allows us to do so,” Fullwood explained. “The more things you can offer your guests, the more attractive your casino becomes.”

The new Harlow’s, he concluded, is a true resort destination — a place where people can come and relax with friends and good company. “We want people to come to know us as ‘The Delta’s Coolest Spot."

As a part of the grand opening weekend, Harlow’s will host a Chevy Malibu Giveaway. Drawings are this Friday and Saturday night, Jan. 25-26, from 8 p.m. to midnight. Winners every 30 minutes receive free slot play. Five qualifiers each night will return on Saturday for the grand prize drawing, where one lucky winner will get the keys to a new Chevy Malibu.

Entertainers slated to perform at The Event Center in the coming weeks include TK Soul on Friday, Feb. 1, at 7 p.m.; Willie Clayton on Saturday, Feb. 2, at 5 p.m.; and the popular comedian Earthquake on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 8 and 9, at 7 and 5 p.m. respectively. See the full story on these concerts in this issue’s entertainment section on page 25.

Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa is a wholly owned subsidiary of Churchill Downs Incorporated. Harlow’s is located near the Mississippi River in Greenville, Miss., and sits at the base of a new $336 million U.S. Highway 82 Bridge that connects Harlow’s to customers in the neighboring state of Arkansas. 

For more about Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa visit www.harlowscasino.com.