AC Expanding Gambling, Drinking Options in Casinos

There’s more gambling and drinking on tap for Atlantic City in the new year.

New Jersey regulators are letting casinos put slot machines and table games into places they’ve never been before. They’re also letting casinos sell or give away alcohol in places like a clothing store, a wireless Internet lounge, and gift shops.

The gambling extension trend started last year with the Tropicana and Harrah’s. It’s speeding up this year with the Golden Nugget offering bar-top video poker, as well as traditional blackjack and roulette in a new lounge.

And Harrah’s is putting even more table games into areas near The Pool, which doubles as one of the city’s hottest nightclubs — once the towels and swim caps are packed away.

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