Golden Nugget Atlantic City will be the first casino in New Jersey to offer a new Interactive Slot Experience offering a variety of enhanced bonus features that are brought directly to the guest’s slot machine. Last weekend the property previewed the new Interactive Slot Experience to 1,000 top players and the event was a huge success, creating excitement throughout the casino floor.

Guests were presented with a selection of four treasure chests right on their slot machines, guaranteeing a varying amount of Free Slot Play. Another added bonus feature was also presented to players with an opportunity to play their way into the Spin to Win Bonus round, featuring a wheel game that offered a variety of additional Free Slot Play amounts.

This new, interactive experience allows players easier access to their 24 Karat Club® account.  Now they can check their Comp Dollars, Tier Points, Tier Status and more right at their favorite slot machine. In addition to all of these exciting features, the new interactive slot experience at Golden Nugget Atlantic City will be among the first to offer specialty bonus games including Golden Nugget Stakes on Saturday, May 4 and Golden Nugget’s NASCAR® Racing Thursday, May 16 – Sunday, May 19.

It’s post time and the Golden Nugget Stakes brings the excitement of horse racing right to your favorite slot machine. When you have earned enough points before the start of the race, choose your favorite horse and cheer him across the finish line. If your horse wins, you win.

Players, start your engines, during the NASCAR® $50,000 RACE Weekend. The Golden Nugget brings the track to your machine.  Play your way to qualify for a total of 16 races throughout the weekend.  When you have earned enough points before the start of the race, choose your NASCAR® driver and race for the checkered flag. If your driver wins, you win!

For more information on the Golden Nugget Atlantic City, please visit here.

New Millionaire Maryanne Zeller.

Much better than a chocolate bunny, on Easter Sunday, March 31, New York native Maryanne Zeller struck it rich at the Golden Nugget Atlantic City winning the progressive jackpot on a Wheel of Fortune machine and earning $1,103,726.10.

Zeller frequents the Golden Nugget and had been a loyal customer of the hotel and casino for over a decade. This weekend she was spending the holiday at the hotel with her husband and son, and was overwhelmed with joy upon winning.

Zeller even took the opportunity to compliment the Golden Nugget staff for their outstanding service.

Steve Wyrick, the terrific illusionist performing at the Golden Nugget will be around town for a few extra performances. Originally signed through Feb. 24, he will now continue through March 8, with the same schedule. Wed.-Fri. 8pm, Sat. 6 & 9pm and Sunday, 2pm. Tickets are $25.20 ($19.95 plus fee). Go here for a story on Wyrick and video.

ATLANTIC CITY — Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, the high-energy nine-piece ensemble that shows, in its own inimitable way, that it’s still cool to swing big-band style, returns to Golden Nugget on Saturday, March 9, as part of its 20th anniversary tour.

The Los Angeles -based group, which takes the stage 9pm at Golden Nugget’s intimate Showroom, is touring behind the release of its latest CD Rattle Them Bones, the follow-up record to its much-lauded 2009 release How Big Can You Get?: The Music of Cab Calloway. 

The band’s past notable hits include “Go Daddy-O,” “You & Me & the Bottle Makes 3 Tonight (Baby)” and “Mr. Pinstripe Suit.”

For tickets call 800-736-1420 or go to ticketmaster.com to book online.

New Jersey is still in the process of passing a bill to legalize online poker but until that time the Golden Nugget is getting a jump on the possible new revenue stream by offering free online poker play now. You can sign up on the Golden Nugget Web site.

The casino has announced that an online poker app is on the way and to celebrate the Golden Nugget is giving away a free iPad. To enter you just have to go on the Golden Nugget Facebook page and “like” the casino to be eligible.

ATLANTIC CITY — Canine members of the Armed Forces are often the first line of defense against danger. It is for this reason that the good people at Pet Valu holds a series of annual fundraisers to benefit the Burlington, NJ-based U.S. War Dogs Association (USWDA), a nonprofit organization committed to promoting the history of military service dogs, establishing permanent war dog memorials, providing support to war dogs and their handlers, and serving as a clearing house for retired dog adoptions across America.

On Wednesday, Oct. 10, at 11:45 am., Pet Valu, Inc. will be presenting a check to  USWDA president Ron L. Aiello at Golden Nugget Atlantic City. Collectively, the Pet Valu stores have raised over $50,000 this year to help the USWDA purchase and deliver care packages to the canine heroes and their handlers such as Kong toys, cooling vests, “doggles” and treats that are not supplied by the U.S. Military.

Aiello estimates that the USWDA supports 250 dogs at any given time.  

“We’re especially happy about the support Pet Valu has given us,” says Aiello. “Because of their generosity, we were able to upgrade the quality of the products we send to our dog teams.”

For more information on the U.S. War Dog Association and Pet Valu’s involvement click here.

ATLANTIC CITY — Golden Nugget hosted its inaugural three-day Cal-Ital Summer Wine Fest last Friday through Sunday, Aug. 17-19, which featured many of the best wines from Italy as well as those produced in California from Italian ancestry.

Tickets could be purchased individually or for an all-inclusive, three-day price of just $99 per person.
“It’s a really great opportunity to taste a lot of different wines at a reasonable price,” says Amy Chasey, vice president of marketing for Golden Nugget.

Friday night had a mix-and-mingle the H20 Pool + Bar for a wine ‘n’ jazz reception that included live jazz, delectable cuisine and wines from over 30 wineries including Levendi, Cosentino, Ferrari Carano, Robert Mondavi, Francis Ford Coppola, Trinchero, Flora Springs, Andretti and others.

“All of these were some of the first people to settle the Napa Valley, Sonoma, Lake County area of California, and they brought with them these great Italian wine traits that are out there,” Scott Tarwater, corporate director of wine and special events for Golden Nugget’s parent company, Landry’s Restaurants.

The event moved to the Grand Ballroom on Saturday with samplings of over 120 Italian and Californian wines, and Sunday featured an extensive Italian-style, sit-down brunch followed by a high-end fashion show with 18 runway models presenting the latest gowns and cocktail dresses from New Jersey designer Elizabeth Delgado.

ATLANTIC CITY — Some of the finest wines born of Italian and Californian grapes will be featured at the inaugural three-day Cal-Ital Summer Wine Fest at Golden Nugget next Friday through Sunday, Aug. 17-19.

Guests can mingle al fresco with fellow wine enthusiasts, sommeliers, vineyard owners and winemakers on Friday night, Aug. 17, at the H20 Pool + Bar for a wine ‘n’ jazz reception from 8-10pm. A $35 per person fee will include live jazz, delectable cuisine and wines from over 30 wineries including Levendi, Cosentino, Ferrari Carano, Robert Mondavi, Francis Ford Coppola, Trinchero, Flora Springs, Andretti and others. Each winery will have representatives describing their wares.

California Napa Valley winemaker Levendi will be one of many vineyards offering samples. Above is Levendi's Cold Creek Chardonnay.

On Saturday, Aug. 18, the festival’s Grand Tasting will take place at the Golden Nugget’s Grand ballroom, with samples of over 120 wines from about 40 of California and Italy’s most prestigious producers. Live jazz and culinary delights will be complemented by some of the best Brunellos, Cabernets, Chiantis, Chardonnays, Barolos, Barbarescos and others for a $65 per person fee.

Sunday, Aug. 19, will see a Sparkling Brunch & Fashion Show happening at the Grand from 11am-1pm. An extensive Italian-style, sit-down brunch will be followed by a high-end fashion show with 18 runway models presenting the latest gowns and cocktail dresses from New Jersey designer Elizabeth Delgado, who will be in attendance. The brunch/fashion show is $35 per person.

For tickets to any of these individual events call 1-866-746-5336, or click here.  A three-day VIP pass is available for $99. Guests must be age 21 or over.

The bar and lounge section of the Golden Nugget's new H20 Pool + Bar.

ATLANTIC CITY — The Golden Nugget’s  transformation into a unique and exciting Atlantic City destination continues, and among its newest additions to several exceptional guest amenities is the H20 Pool + Bar.

“[H2O]  has been very well received customers [since opening in May],” says Tom Pohlman, vice president and general manager of the A.C. Golden Nugget. “We turned an area that was pretty plain and basic into an area that just thrives with people, not only on weekends but here we are mid-week and there’s just a lot of energy out here.”

Located on the 6th floor and enclosed by glass rails, it overlooks the marina and is a year-round outdoor pool area that offers customers exceptional views in an enjoyable, relaxing and fun atmosphere.

“H20 adds a fun, vibrant energy to our newly renovated property,” says Pohlman.

Click here to see a video of the H2O Pool + Bar.

H20 Pool and Lounge offers eight new cabanas that are available to rent and include personal plasma TVs, refrigerators and couches for guests to enjoy. It also features 12 daybed rentals, lively music and built-in seating areas. Heated pools, Jacuzzis and fire pits add to the property’s distinction and will help warm guests in the winter, as a portion of the property remains open year-round. The pool is open from 6am daily and the lounge from 11am, both weather permitting. — Shana Vanegas

Frank Avalon Jr. (left) and Edan Everly

ATLANTIC CITY — Frank Avalon Jr., son of actor/singer Frankie Avalon, and Edan Everly, the son of Don Everly (and nephew to Phil) of the Everly Brothers, were on the scene last Saturday night, May 26, at the Golden Nugget, where the Golden Boys performed all their classic hits.

The young Everly is Frankie Avalon (Sr.’s) guitar player when Avalon tours solo, and occasionally sings duets with him. Frankie Avalon Jr. is the drummer in his father’s band.

The Golden Boys tour includes Avalon, Fabian Forte and Bobby Rydell (all former Philadelphia

Dick Fox's Golden Boys of Bandstand at the Golden Nugget. Left to right are Fabian Forte, Frankie Avalon and Lou Christie.

teen idols from the ’50s and ’60s), although Rydell was dealing with a health concern and was filled in for by Lou Christie in Atlantic City (Atlantic City Weekly) regrets misidentifying Christie on its Local Scene page, p.6, of its May 31-June 6 issue).