Advertise on podcast: Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action: A Hollywood Casino Bangor Podcast

Is blackjack the best game in the casino? Someone seems to think so, at least. But there's far more to choose from on the game floor, more complicated or high-stakes, too. So, what's so captivating about blackjack? On this episode of Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action, your host Alton Buzzell sits down with the illustrious Dan Cashman to talk blackjack, hot dogs, and a close encounter with craps. This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

On this episode of Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action, Alton Buzzell is here with 15 quick questions for the most intriguing names around Hollywood Casino. Today, say hello to Kendall Ivey, Hollywood Casino's Marketing Manager, as she talks to Alton about Derry Girls, recency bias, and trusting the process.  This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

On this episode of Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action, Alton Buzzell is here with 15 quick questions for the most intriguing names around Hollywood Casino. Today, say hello to the Director of Security, Dan Saunders, as he talks to Alton about the best concert he has ever seen, jump roping, and the art of being asked questions. This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

On this episode of Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action, Alton Buzzell is here with 15 quick questions for the most intriguing names around Hollywood Casino. Today, we welcome the Casino Ops Manager of Hollywood Casino, Daniel Dickison, to join Alton to talk about Incubus, the scents of childhood, and the one mistake he would tell his childhood self not to make.  This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

On this episode of Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action, a brand new segment hits the game floor: The Hollywood 15! Your host, Alton Buzzell is here with 15 quick questions for the most intriguing names around Hollywood Casino. But what good is an interview without an interviewer? For this special first episode, guest questioneer Dan Cashman joins Alton to talk about Danny DeVito, mastering skills, and the best thing to come out of Canada.  This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

Living in the moment is what casino fun is all about, but Hollywood Casino has been built on years and years of growth. So on this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, come along with your hosts Alton and Marc, with their guide Emily Burnham, as they go moment-to-moment through the history of the casino.  🔑 3 Key Takeaways: The Hub That Is Hollywood –  Hollywood Casino is a lot more than just a casino; it's an entertainment hub with comedy, food, and community events that every kind of person can enjoy. Watching Bangor Grow – Through her time at Bangor Daily News, Emily Burnham was able to see the beginnings of Bangor institutions like Waterfront Concerts, the Cross Insurance Center, and especially Hollywood Casino.  A Historic Dedication – Even as history happened then, it continues to happen now. Hollywood Casino is striving with every step to bring Bangor into its next phase of fun and increase the entertainment for decades to come.  This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

Some poker games don't fall into your classic casino categories. But if you were craving a good game of Let It Ride, Hollywood still has you covered. On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton once again welcome Chris Kirk, Hollywood Casino's Director of Operations, this time to talk about carnival games: just strange enough to be exciting.  🔑 3 Key Takeaways: Upping the Ante –  Carnival games are poker-based table games that offer unique gameplay, large payouts, and progressive jackpots, with options like Three Card Poker, Heads Up Hold'em, and High Card Flush. This Tall to Ride – New players don't have to worry— dealers can explain the rules and guide guests through each game. Changing the Game – Hollywood Casino updates its table games based on player feedback, so your options will never grow stale. This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

On Labor Day of 2024, Marc Guastella was welcomed into the Hollywood Casino family, and now, almost 3 years later, we are saying our goodbyes. He's preparing to wave goodbye to the Pine Tree State and will be moving on to bring his leadership and expertise to Massachusetts. But with the time we have left, on this special episode of Lights, Slots, Action, our hosts reflect on Marc's story: what inspired him, what surprised him about Bangor, the passion of the city, and the words of wisdom he would have for the one who inherits his position, and anyone who wishes to go far in this business. Thank you, Marc, and we wish you the very best! This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

The Queen City is a hotspot for fun, and there is no better authority on Bangor's entertainment appeal than Dan Cashman. On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton talk with him about the offerings of Bangor as a city, Bangor as a culture, and how Hollywood Casino works to augment and elevate the experience in every way, shape, and form. 3 Key Takeaways: Party From The Past — Marc, Alton, and Dan talk about what the face of Bangor was like in 2010- when Waterfront Concerts didn't exist, Hollywood Casino was only a raceway and a few slot machines. How remarkably it grew, from then until now! Pleasant In The Present — Now, Bangor is a bustling entertainment community, with concerts and performances everywhere from Paddy Murphy's, to the Collins Center, to— you guessed it— Hollywood Casino, and year-round too! Fun For The Future — What Marc and Alton would like to do is see that the casino is able to support and augment the state of entertainment in Bangor not only now, but far into the future as well. In 2028, when we all have time machines, we hope to see a future of all-new sights and sounds! This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

Open those doors and break out the boards, because on this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton welcome back onto the show Chris Kirk, Hollywood Casino's Director of Operations, to talk about the art of the cards. Do you have what it takes to be a certified table games dealer? You might just! 🔑 3 Key Takeaways: Where Do I Sign Up? –  Chris talks about how easy it is to start being a table dealer. There are a few ways that someone can start their journey from inside Hollywood Casino itself! Card Class – Nobody walks in as the perfect dealer. Hollywood Casino offers special classes on how to best shuffle, deal, play and interact with guests. Through these specialized courses, one can become the blackjack boss they've always dreamed of.   18-Card Ante – While you must be 21 or older to play at a casino, dealers can be as young as 18, honing their skills from high school and onwards. This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

Hollywood Casino is proud to hold one of the finest hotels in all of Bangor, strictly A-list in comfort, amenities, and atmosphere. This is all thanks to Dwayne Barber and his tireless hospitality team— And on his second episode of Lights, Slots, Action, he talks with Marc and Alton about the view of the Penobscot, the wonderful food, the excellent atmosphere, and everything else that Hollywood has to offer! 🔑 3 Key Takeaways: Location, Location, Location — Hollywood Casino Hotel is located right on the banks of the Penobscot River, giving every guest a breathtaking view of the waterfront like no other. All amenities of the hotel are inside, sheltered from any inclement weather of the later months, so a wintery stay will always be warm and cozy. Family Rooms — As opposed to the game floor, the hotel is open for all ages. And thanks to the building's clever layout, you can access the entertainment and the amenities while keeping entirely separate from the casino area. Hospitali-team — 152 rooms cannot fall on the shoulders of just one man. Dwayne takes some time to shout out other members of his team, like Steven (the Hotel Manager) and Carla (the Housekeeping Manager).  This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

A game is only as good as its rules, and no community can exist without compliance. On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton talk with Melissa McRae, Hollywood Casino Bangor's Compliance Manager, to talk about the important business of rules and regulations: the ones set by the state, the ones set by the business, and the ones set by individuals, too. 🔑 3 Key Takeaways: The State of Casino Fun — You might have dreams of getting complimentary drinks as a high roller, but liquor laws in the State of Maine don't allow that. The casino has to follow the rules of the state, first and foremost. Party Inside Of Bounds — One casino is not the same as another: factors like local, federal, and individual restrictions mean that a subject-matter expert like Melissa is a requirement for the casino to operate within rules. Quick Turnarounds — When the guidance from the state comes down, it is up to Melissa and her team to ensure that the gaming floor remains compliant. This can lead to large changes in procedure from year-to-year, processes all spearheaded by the compliance team. This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

There's nothing like the sound of hooves hitting dirt, the smell of fresh grass in the air, or the sight of the chariots speeding across the crown of Queen City. It's the Hollywood Casino Raceway, a major touchstone in the history of Bangor for over a century, and a source of fun and excitement for generations! On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton talk with Tommy Smith, racing manager at Hollywood Casino, and run the course on the most important track in Bangor. 🔑 3 Key Takeaways: Hold Your Horses — Tommy shares how Hollywood Raceway specializes in Harness Racing, which has the jockey riding on a chariot, called a "selkie", behind the horse itself. Year-Round Racing — You might not believe it, but the fun happens all year round at the raceway, with simulcast races from all around the world being shown there! In the warmer months, live races are held. Two Centuries of Fun — The raceway has been an institution in Bangor for around 200 years, and for the last century has been the pride of Hollywood Casino. It's an honor to be a part of something so important to so many people and for so long! This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

There's big business, and then there's big business. On this episode of Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton discuss the ins and outs of Hollywood Casino... literally! Managing one hundred and thirty-seven thousand square feet of game floor and hotel is a little more than a handful, but luckily, there's a dedicated and capable team behind the scenes who are there to keep this big business up and running.  🔑 3 Key Takeaways: The Big Idea — Hollywood Casino is a big building, with its expansive game floor and gigantic hotel accommodations. Some parts of the building are always open over the course of 24 hours. Climate Control — The Maine climate is a wild beast that can range from subzero temperatures to a boiling 100 degrees. Hollywood Casino, as a building, requires extensive care and upkeep to adapt to the ever-changing weather outside! Unlimited (Or Quite Plentiful) Power — If Hollywood ever loses power, you'd never tell: with a generator and many backup power supplies for the floor, these lights will never die! This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/

Numbers are fun when you do them right: the floor's jackpots and winning streaks only happen because of the house's expenditures and spreadsheets. On this episode of Hollywood Lights, Slots, Action, Marc and Alton bring along Hollywood Casino's Planning and Analysis Manager, Jacob Henry, to talk about boards- both the betting and business kind! 3 Key Takeaways: The Holmes of Hollywood — Jacob walks through the process in which a project is deemed right to undertake: by looking at the spend, the projected profit, and the overall reception it might get from the guests, Jacob is able to tell what the right decision is for Hollywood Casino. The Poirot of Proposals — If a proposal for an event is slung his way, Jacob is the one to analyze the forecasted costs and profits. He has to deal with some kooky Marketing Directors along the way, though... The Columbo of Economy — As the financial state of the world around Hollywood changes, so too must Hollywood change: the one who has his hands on the wheel is Jacob, and he talks about the tactics he uses to help the casino weather any storm. This podcast was produced by Sutherland Weston. Learn more here: https://sutherlandweston.com/podcasts/