Casino enthusiasts have more to savour at the new-look Acropolis Gaming Lounge.
On the heels of a $250-million investment to update the popular gaming facility, its proprietors Supreme Ventures Limited (SVL), hosted an official launch event last Wednesday.
Amid the palpable air of excitement with guests and Acropolis faithfuls trying their luck at the newly installed games of chance, SVL senior vice president of operations of customer experience and retail Dwayne Tulloch told Loop News: "We spent a significant sum in terms of physical renovation and upgrading our gaming machines and equipment and also creating a proper customer experience by reintroducing the bar and food options as well."
According to Tulloch, the overhaul at the East Kings House-located venue "has taken us a year from sourcing the machines that we wanted, the logistical nightmare of importing them, and getting the local contracts with the renovations."
Speaking further, Tulloch explained that in reimagining the Acropolis space, the Supreme Ventures journeyed to Las Vegas and Malta to observe the gaming experiences in those territories.
"What we are bringing to Jamaica is a first-world experience, you have no different experience being in Las Vegas than being in the Acropolis right here at home," he noted.
"We brought in a lot of new slot machines, which is the predominant game in Jamaica. We actually refreshed our roulette, which are our board games ... they are first-world machines and leaders in the market. We also brought some additional table games which are going to be new to the market. Plus, we have the first electronic poker, blackjack machine on the island."
Wednesday evening's event follows a soft launch back in September to gauge customer engagement, which according to SVL, was overwhelmingly satisfactory.
"The good thing is that our Board, and our chairman Gary Peart especially, is always ripe for an opportunity," Tulloch told Loop. "I think we have proven the concept that this works and the returns are already starting to show”.
Looking ahead, Tulloch noted that while "currently we have Acropolis only in our portfolio, we do have significant plans for 2025 that I am not at liberty to speak about now, but we are coming."
Pressed to reveal more, he relented, noting: "we are getting more into the gaming segment... of the casino market, which we are seeing more of in the gaming sector across Jamaica. We are definitely going to make a more significant step and presence in that sector."
The guestlist at the Acropolis Gaming Lounge launch saw the lounge's business partners, ardent casino regulars, government officials and media RSVP-ed for the buzzy midweek affair. In between sips of Moet & Chandon bubbly from Select Brands and a soundscape crafted by DJ Narity, guests relished a spread of delectable eats from the evening's caterer, Chef Shea Stewart of Elite Kreations.
Constantly replenished trays circling the room included bites of grilled snapper skewers with a basil lemon butter glaze, chicken sate with a tamarind sauce, and coconut-crusted shrimp with a lemon garlic tartar.
By Omar Tomlinson