Resorts Unveils New Look

By Travel Tunica on Tuesday June 19, 2012

casino-floor, dining, gaming, new-games, renovation, resorts-casino-tunica, slots, tourism, tunica

Resorts Casino Tunica got a new beginning when the Foundation Gaming Group assumed operation of the casino here last November. Now, six months later, Resorts has been transformed as a result of a renovation project undertaken by the ownership group.

The exterior features a new paint scheme, and inside, the hotel lobby, the casino floor and the entrance to the casino from the atrium have been updated. Public areas benefit from new carpeting, furniture, color schemes, a new large video screen and the latest and most popular slot machines.

In the atrium, guests can see theater-style curtains framing the entrance to the casino. The big screen faces guests as they step onto the gaming floor, and the message delivered when one passes by the curtains: “You are about to be entertained.”

“We focused on areas that customers see and experience,” said Greg Guida, principal and chief executive officer of Foundation Gaming Group. “We’ve updated Resorts with a current color palate and current textures and designs.”

The changes are evident from floor to ceiling. Richer yet softer color tones have been incorporated as a part of the renovation, and gone are the mirrored walls, older carpeting and blue ceiling.

Guests will notice the layout of casino floor is different as are many of the games. “We have 100 new Bally’s games on the floor and have also added games from Williams and IGT,” said Les McMackin, Foundation Gaming’s chief operations and marketing officer. “We’ve reorganized the entire layout to highlight our new games, make it easier to get around and make it more appealing for everyone.”

McMackin said when selecting the new slots, Foundation Gaming Group looked at some of the newest games available as well as what games are popular in the market. “We’ve got some exclusives, like the new Big Vegas and Easy Cash Eddy games, and popular titles like Blazing 7s, with a new platform and new cabinetry.”

Scanning the floor, one can see such games as Playboy Playmate Party, Betty Boop’s Love Meter, Ol’e Jalapenos!, Monte Carlo, Mayan Treasures, Sea Goddess, Pirate Battle and more.

Daniel Russell, director of slot operations, said guest response to the new games has been fantastic. Some of the more popular games, he said, have been the new Playboy games, as well as Quick Hits and Lightning 7s.

While the new slots are a hit at Resorts, so is the casino’s renovated hotel lobby. Rich wood tones and wood-plank inspired tile flooring update the look of the space. Stylish carpeting incorporates natural colors and classically styled leather furniture and modern art complete the appealing and inviting atmosphere.

Upstairs, TJ’s Steakhouse benefited from a lot of attention, too. New furniture, carpeting and softer colors and lighting set the perfect mood for fine dining. “It is an entirely new feel,” Guida explained. “The look is more like what you would expect a fine dining restaurant at the casino to be.”

McMackin said while the look of the restaurant has changed, the menu is staying the same. “We let
our customers tell us what they want and they like the current menu. The lobster and steak special is the most popular. Likewise, our One Buck Buffet has become a staple at the properties and we will continue to offer it in the buffet.”

In addition to the dining area, the kitchen has been updated with new equipment. The steps taken here are all about function and utility. Executive Chef Joe Steward, who has been with Resorts for 10 years, said the moves made over the past few months have spawned plenty of excitement.

“We’ve been really happy about the changes,” Steward said. “They have given us everything we need in the kitchen, and having the tools to work with really makes a difference. The guests are impressed with the changes in the steakhouse, too. I’ve always liked the way it looked and now it’s even better.”

The excitement of Steward and the F&B staff is shared with employees throughout the property. “The employee response has been great,” Guida said. “There is a great staff at both properties (Resorts and its sister property, Bally’s) and when we came in last November, they viewed this as a fresh start for the properties and for them. It’s a phenomenal workforce.”

Guida is equally impressed with customer reception to the changes. “There hasn’t been a lot of renovation of a significant scale to the property in quite some time, so I think customers have been really pleased to see the improvement at the properties, especially when it comes to putting new games on the floor. That’s what really topped it off for them. It’s one thing to put new color and paint on the floor, but new games are something the customer can really experience on the floor.”

If you haven’t visited Resorts lately, you’ll see and experience the difference when you stop by and walk through the curtains. Expect to be entertained.