The rumor mill is grinding overtime these days about the future of Trump Marina.

To recap, in late May, it was announced that Trump Entertainment Resorts had agreed to sell the bayside gambling den--historically the red-headed stepchild of The Donald's gambling operation--to a New York-based group, Coastal Marina LLC. Coastal Marina, in turn, announced it had cut a licensing deal with Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville empire to re-theme the property Buffett-style.

Since the deal was "Trump"-eted, virtually nothing has emanated from the obviously press-shy folks at Coastal Marina. And, as usually happens in the absence of facts, rumors have begun to fly around AyCee like so many French fry-seeking seagulls.

But what's really interesting is that the rumors are so contradictory.

At and around the Marina itself, word is that Margaritaville will undertake a significant expansion project that will see new hotel rooms added to an existing tower, as well as the construction of a new tower. There is some contradictory thoughts circulating, however: Some believe the work will be accomplished without closing the existing casino-hotel, while others insist a temporary shutdown of operations is in the cards.

While this all sounds very promising--the Margaritaville concept would be a home run for Atlantic City--some industry in-the-knowers are whispering that, for reasons unknown, Coastal Marina may be facing an unwinnable fight when it goes before the Casino Control Commission to get a gaming license.

Stay tuned...