Atlantic City Showboat Targets Dog Owners
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (CBS) - You won't see dogs on the casino floor, but you may run into one on the elevator at the Showboat.
With declining revenues at Atlantic City casinos, targeting dog owners is one way to reach new cliental.
"I live in Brooklyn, and we don't have any dog friendly hotels," dog owner Fabiana Santana said.
Dogs have a designated spot outside the hotel to do their business, and right now only nine of the more than 1,300 rooms here are designated dog friendly.
"As long as everyone takes as good care of their animals as I do, it will work," dog owner Diane Gangemi said.
While holding their first ever dog soiree, hotel management marked their new pet-friendly stance by presenting a $1,000 check to the Ocean City Humane Society, the first ever by an Atlantic City casino.
But bringing along man's best friend comes with some restrictions, and it will cost you.
"Right now, it is just dogs less than 50 lbs, and there's an up charge of $40 if the dog stays overnight," Showboat General Manager Joe Domenico said.
Owners aren't allowed to let their K9's roam.
Dogs have to stay in the rooms when they come inside the Showboat.
But for the Semet family, the chance to bring along their new puppy Jellybean was just too good to pass up.
"I think it's cool they are letting dogs stay at the hotel," 9-year-old Kara Semet said.
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Reported by Todd Quinones, CBS 3
