Hampton Beach casino Aces and Eights goes year-round, expands

HAMPTON — In poker lore, a hand comprising of a pair of aces and eights is known as a “Deadman’s Hand.” It’s a nod to Old West folk hero Wild Bill Hickock, who according to legend was shot dead in a card game while holding that exact hand along with an unknown hold card.

On Hampton Beach, however, the management team at Aces and Eights Casino at 169 Ocean Blvd. has a far more upbeat story to tell. They are betting their new 14,000-square-foot renovation and new plans to stay open year-round will prove to be a winning hand for charities and attract more gamblers.

The Lupoli Companies own not only Aces and Eights but the entire block at 169 Ocean Blvd., which includes the Hampton Beach Casino property and the sprawling parking lot behind it. Christie Cartwright, director of communications and marketing for the company, said the expansion and decision to move from seasonal to year-round at Aces and Eights was not necessarily part of a potential large-scale $400 million redevelopment plan outlined by President and CEO Sal Lupoli in May.

The Aces and Eights renovation started at the end of March and Mike Lupoli of Lupoli Companies and his staff cut the ribbon on the new space in July. The new space took over what used to be BAD BRGR and several other entities on the first floor of the Casino building. The expansion features 92 new historical racing machines, essentially slot machines that comply with state gaming laws, along with a slew of table games like roulette, blackjack and poker.

Like the Ocean Gaming Casino just down the street, Aces and Eights operates as a casino under the state's charitable gaming laws and donates a portion of its daily proceeds to local nonprofit organizations.

“A lot of the people who come in don’t know that a portion of the money goes to charity so when they find out that it gives them a little bit of more comfort putting their money into the machines,” Aces and Eights general manager Tim Schmitt said. “We’re always looking for more charities and they can reach out to us here, too.” 

One local affiliated charity that stands to benefit from the new expansion is Chucky’s Fight, which is run by Seabrook’s Chucky Rosa and is dedicated to fighting substance abuse.

“We’re going to be able to give so much more back ... and we’re so excited about that,” Cartwright said

How could Aces and Eights fit in $400M Casino redevelopment?

Sal Lupoli said in May he was exploring a massive project that could include a convention center and boutique hotel, among other improvements on the property.

“Would he like to make the beach year-round? I think he would,” Cartwright said. “I think a lot of people don’t want to just do business for just 14 weeks. This is the beginning of expanding on this side of the building, but it’s not necessarily part of that overall plan.

“(Sal) doesn’t want to rush it because he really wants to keep talking to people and figure out what we really need here,” she added.

To entice patrons to visit Aces and Eights year-round, the casino has added a players club card that will offer various incentives based on a point system.

“We’re going to be doing lots of giveaways for the locals,” said Schmitt of the prizes, which will include tickets to Boston’s professional sports teams.

Live music, special events and more planned at Aces and Eights 

As part of the renovation, Aces and Eights' large deck overlooking the Casino and Ballroom parking lot has been revamped and plans are to offer live music along with other special events on the deck and in the parking lot below. Lupoli Companies also brought in a manager from their popular restaurant, 34|Park, in Andover, Massachusetts, to run the food service and expand the bar and food menu.

Along with the bevy of new slot machines and the traditional games of chance, Schmitt says another point of emphasis will be to have a robust poker presence as well.

“We want to focus a lot on building the poker program up again, so those players have a place to play,” said Schmitt, who added that the casino offers one of the largest Pot-Limit Omaha games in the state. 

“It’s all about offering the total package.”