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Sands packs them in on night before its doors close for good
By ELAINE ROSE Staff Writer, (609) 272-7215
Published: Saturday, November 11, 2006
ATLANTIC CITY It was almost impossible to find a parking space Friday night in the garage at the Sands Casino Hotel. Cars lined up and honked their horns as they waited for someone to leave and free up a spot.
But as one woman put it, finding a seat at a slot machine was even harder. Every contraption designed to take someone's money, even those in the high-limit salon, had someone sitting there more than happy to give it.
Gaming tables that could be played for $5 earlier in the day had a minimum bet of $15, and nearly every spot was taken.
As a reversal of usual casino custom, it was the gamblers who wished the employees good luck.
The place was packed and the atmosphere was festive, as the Sands threw a party for its final night. The casino closes at 6 a.m. today, and hotel guests are expected to vacate their rooms by 11.
The Swingers bar on the casino floor was the center of the action. Sands president George Toth, WOND-AM 1400 radio host Pinky Kravitz and oldies DJ Jerry Blavat stood on the stage behind the bar as a crooner sang to pre-recorded music.
People crowded around the bar, many with drinks in their hands, as waitresses hustled to keep the glasses full. Upstairs, more people hovered along the plexiglass railing overlooking the bar to get a view of the proceedings below.
Kravitz, who broadcast his afternoon show from the Sands, praised Toth for turning the casino into a profitable venture. But great things are coming to Atlantic City, and the aging casino has to give way.
Pinnacle Entertainment of Las Vegas bought the property and has said it will build a mega resort on the site. But that opening is at least five years away.
As part of the festivities, the casino gave away money every 15 minutes from progressive jackpots that had not hit and that legally had to be returned to the players. Winners were announced every few minutes and were invited on the stage to receive their prize.
A half-hour before the promotion was scheduled to end, dozens of people lined up at the promotions booth for the slot-club card that was required to win a prize.
More people crowded around the bar at the Copa Lounge on the second floor, while a pianist played snappy tunes. Even at a late hour, people lined up at the Brighton Steakhouse for one last repast at a restaurant that had been named the best of its type in New Jersey.
It was fabulous, said Sharon D. of Margate, who declined to give her last name as she and a friend emerged from their dinner. It seemed like a Saturday night at the height of the season.
The mood was upbeat, but a little sad, and the servers seemed to be in good spirits, said Donna V., also of Margate.
Some people just chanced upon the closing.
Paul Chepurko and Joanne Hurley of Hawthorne said they didn't know the Sands was closing until they arrived and saw the crunch in the parking garage. They said they won't miss the casino.
The casinos aren't fun anymore, Chepurko said, adding he liked it better when players put quarters in the machine one at a time instead of inserting bills and cashing out tickets.
Others said they couldn't stay away on the last night.
I've been gambling here since 1998, said Elizabeth Flores of Pleasantville, as she and her mother entered the garage elevators. It's a good casino, even though it's small.
You got the chance to win, her mom, Lydia Alcea, added.
To e-mail Elaine Rose at The Press:
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