Chicago Sun-Times: Top-to-bottom change at Trump

Months had passed since I last did a thorough walk-through of Trump Casinos in Gary, and I knew there had been big changes. So when Danella Soeka of the Trump marketing department called, I jumped at the chance for a guided tour.

Some of the most obvious changes have been brought about by the opening of the new parking garage at the Buffington Harbor facility shared by Trump and Majestic Star. Not only does the garage eliminate the long walk or wait for a shuttle from the old parking lot. Customers now can exit the garage right on the boarding level, without having to enter the pavilion on the lower level, walk past customer service desks, the lounge and buffet to take the escalators up the boarding area.

As one who long has used valet parking on any trip to the Gary casinos, it was quite a treat to be able to self-park a reasonable distance from the action.

Since traffic on the lower level is now practically nil, most services have been moved upstairs. The service desks are upstairs now, as are the gift shop and the food kiosk that used to be next to the escalators. The buffet--improved by a new chef--remains on the lower level.

What to do with the pavilion space no longer needed for entryway and service desks is still in the discussion stages, with space for player parties, meetings and conventions a possibility.

There's plenty going on aboard Trump's casino and in its hotel to go along with the big changes at the shared Buffington Harbor garage and pavilion.

We started the tour on the uppermost of Trump's four gaming levels. One side remains a deli, but across the corridor, the former Crystal Room for special events has been turned into the new high- limit room for table players. There's a little flash to the room-- the rims of the tables incorporate blue neon lights.

Trump is awaiting approval of $5,000 maximum bets on the 12 high- limit blackjack tables. For now, maximums are $2,000, with $25 minimums. There are six mini-baccarat tables ($10 to $10,000) and three Jackpot Pai-Gow Poker tables ($10 to $2,000). The high-limit room has its own credit and host desk, cashiers' cage and two big- screen TVs.

The rest of the tables are down one level--blackjack, craps with 20x odds, roulette, Three Card Poker and Spanish 21. On Tuesdays, this is a low roller's dream, with minimum bets set at $5 on all tables on this level.

Across the hall is a room that to me represents the big strides that Trump has made in the last couple of years. Trump was slower than most to change out its oldest three-reel slots and and new bonus games. But now you'll find plenty of nickel video video slots, some with oversized monitors. Along the walls are traditional three-reel slots, mostly in $1 denominations, although there also are two quarter machines.

There remain plenty of quarter and dollar reel-spinning slots another flight down, on the entry level. That's also where Trump showcases new games, some of which get moved up to the main video room after they prove popular. A couple of eye-catching banks of progressive slots draw players into the room, with Bally Gaming's Betty Boop slots and Aristocrat's unique four-way progressive Cash Express.

Downstairs, on the bottom level, is the home of Trump's popular two-cent slots, along with slots of other denominations. Included are the Bewitched slots, a Trump exclusive when they were introduced to this market. This level is also where Trump holds its free slot tournaments for "Golden Gamers"--Trump Club members age 50 and older. Check at the Trump Club booth on this level for details.

On the same level, across the hallway, is a no-smoking room with slots and video poker machines.

The whole package is much more appealing, more up to date than Trump had been a couple of years ago.

Trump's hotel, too, has been spruced up. The hotel pool, little used by casino guests, has been filled in and converted to a ballroom that can hold 250 guests. Just a couple of days before my visit, the ballroom had hosted its first wedding, and it can be used for parties and meetings.

Food service also has been upgraded with the addition of Chops Steak House. The Lakeside Cafe menu and decor have also been taken more upscale. And change is in the works for Max's Bar. The back wall is coming down, with the new wall to include plenty of glass to make this an airy room with a view.

With its own coffee shop and steak house in the hotel along with the shared steak house and buffet in the pavilion, Trump has a couple of extra comp cards up its sleeve. Along with all the other changes, that's a big step forward in Gary.