The stage is set for a Dec. 17 auction for Atlantic Club Casino Hotel, one of the smallest gambling operations on the Atlantic City Boardwalk, Dow Jones Daily Bankruptcy Review reported today. While a stalking-horse bidder has not yet emerged, an affiliate of Northlight Capital Partners has something of a pole position as lender of bankruptcy financing that may run as high as $15 million. The casino, owned by Colony Capital LLC, filed for chapter 11 protection Nov. 6.