Resorts Spending $60 Million to Compete in A.C.

Resorts Casino Hotel plans to spend $60 million in the first half of 2013 on renovations and an expansion designed to help it become more of a player in the Atlantic City gambling market.

In addition to the $35 million Jimmy Buffett-themed Margaritaville entertainment complex, Resorts is also renovating hotel rooms, re-doing bathrooms, adding a food court and two new VIP players' clubs, and laying down new carpet on the casino floor.

Resorts has hired former Tropicana boss Mark Giannantonio (Gee-ann-ann-TONE'-ee-oh) as its new president.

Gary Van Hettinga, who has been running the casino for the Mohegan Indian tribe under a management agreement, says he'll split his time between Atlantic City and Mohegan properties in Connecticut and Pennsylvania. He says Resorts was just about breaking even before Superstorm Sandy hit.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)