Gaming News

Showboat takes over House of Blues

ATLANTIC CITY, New Jersey -- As reported by the Press of Atlantic City: "They have been an unusual match, operating separately under one roof. There is the Showboat Casino-Hotel that appeals to the middle-aged mainstream. And there is the House of Blues entertainment venue that draws a younger, edgier crowd through acts that span hip-hop, punk and heavy metal.

"Now they will operate as one, with Showboat assuming control of House of Blues through a licensing agreement with the chain's Beverly Hills-based parent company, Live Nation. The company had 10 House of Blues clubs nationwide as of Dec. 31.

"The licensing agreement will be the first of its kind among House of Blues operations, according to Showboat Senior Vice President and General Manager Jay Snowden. A House of Blues manager did not respond to several messages.

"...The majority of approximately 250 House of Blues employees will come under the control of the region's largest casino union, Local 54 of UNITE-HERE. The deal is a boon to the union, for whom casinos' practice of bringing in outside non-union operators has long been a sticking point.

"Cooks, food and beverage servers, bartenders and dishwashers at House of Blues will join Local 54, which represents between 14,000 and 16,000 Atlantic City casino workers depending on the season..."

copyrighted material written for and appeared exclusively in The Press of Atlantic City

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