New Jersey Casino Commission Approves Hard Rock Atlantic City Ownership Deal
Posted on: December 20, 2017, 12:00h.
Last updated on: December 20, 2017, 10:44h.
The Hard Rock Atlantic City ownership structure and management agreement has received the blessing of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission (CCC), a key development in keeping the former Trump Taj Mahal on track for a summer 2018 opening.
During a meeting yesterday in Atlantic City, the CCC’s three-member board unanimously approved allowing Boardwalk 1000 LLC to own the property, while Hard Rock International will be responsible for its gaming operations.
Boardwalk 1000 is the entity formed by Hard Rock and private investors Jack Morris and Joe Jingoli. Because Hard Rock doesn’t fully own the Boardwalk resort, the Florida-based company owned by the Seminole Tribe had to submit and gain approval from the CCC.
For the Commission to accept such an arrangement, both entities must obtain casino licenses from the state, and the gambling operator must own at least a 10 percent stake in the resort. Boardwalk 1000 and Hard Rock have both recently applied for those licenses.
About Jack and Joe
New Jersey officials were more than happy to learn that Jack Morris and Joe Jingoli were involving themselves in the revitalization of Atlantic City and the purchase of the Taj Mahal. Garden State natives, the two businessmen are successful real estate developers who have invested throughout the state.
Jingoli lived in Atlantic City for many years, and his firm, Joseph Jingoli and Son, is the contractor for Stockton University’s $220 million Atlantic City Gateway Project. The residential campus, academic building, and business complex is being built on the site of the old Atlantic City High School.
Hard Rock Atlantic City, which is currently undergoing a massive renovation to transform the former Taj’s minarets and onion domes into a rock ‘n’ roll-themed resort, isn’t Jingoli’s first experience working with a casino. The developer has assisted in various gaming venue projects, including Upstate New York’s Seneca Niagara, and Pennsylvania’s Sands Bethlehem and Parx Casino.
Morris specializes in residential and commercial real estate, with a focus on developing financially challenged communities. The chance to help Atlantic City was a no-brainer, and one that he feels very confident about.
“This is going to be a game-changer,” Morris said last summer. “Not just for Atlantic City, but for the people of New Jersey.”
Both Jingoli and Morris believe conventions are key in revitalizing the oceanfront town. They hope the large corporations located in Philadelphia and New York City will be enticed by Atlantic City’s new amenities, which are accessible via a short drive compared to a flight to Las Vegas or elsewhere.
Finally, Hard Rock CEO Jim Allen is certainly no stranger to Atlantic City, as the gaming executive grew up washing dishes in the seaside town. He now works in Florida where the Seminoles are located, but says he’ll be in Atlantic City often.
Hard Rock Future
When Hard Rock opens next summer, the reimagined resort will offer 2,400 slot machines and 130 table games, 2,000-room hotel, concert venue for seating up to 7,000, and convention space to accommodate both large and small events.
Throughout the property, visitors will find “museum-like displays adorning the walls” featuring memorabilia from musicians and artists who call New Jersey home.
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I checked into Hard Rock. Approximately 1-2 a.m. Sunday 19 July 2020. I check out(Evicted) at 11 p.m. Sunday night. Apon check in, I am disabled, I drove to Hotel entrance. Where sign said "Valet Parking". I exited my vehicle( over 90 degrees out) and headed inside Hard Rock Hotel(A.C., NJ). First person to greet me was security guard. Who asked if he could take my temperature. No one "Welcomed me". Guard then pointed towards front desk. To check it. The desk woman, 4get her name, said I'd have to walk down to VALET. To request my car to be parked. And porter would get my bags. Valet was about 40 yards from front desk. I'm disabled !!!! So I left my Credit Card & ID with front desk woman. And walked the 40 some yards. I got to "VALET". Woman inside Valet office. Told ME to go outside & tell valet & porter. To park my car & get my luggage. I said to VALET woman. Ur gonna make ME go outside in 90 some degree weather ????? AND I'm disabled to BOOT. She realized her mistake. She then called valet to park car. And porter get bags. Then she STILL made me go outside to see valet. WTH !!! After I spoke to VALET office valet driver & porter. I headed back to front desk. The woman at front desk was not trained on my new credit card. #'s are on the back. Front desk had my ID & CC. All that time !!!!!!! Front desk woman had put my CC & ID aside. And waited on next customer. I was very unhappy at that point. A new front desk person, Jack, took over. He explained that other front desk woman wasn't trained on new CC's. Jack gave me rates. $399 1st night(it's now about 3am). $199 2nd night. I said to Jack, do I have to pay full rate after 3am ?? Jack said yes. I finally made up to my room. Near 4am(approximately). I've gotten billed $616. For lousy service, untrained employees, no compassion. In my room I spoke, at leanth, with Jackie & Ralph, managers. Ralph offered me $100 refund. Told Ralph, That's not even CLOSE. I EXPECT my room to be comped. I was also evicted !!!!!!!! Mostly my fault But I was PISSED OFF. Hard Rock charges top $$$$ But does not deliver SAD Somebody better WAKE UP A pissed off customer tells 1000 people. Ur managers are NOT paid on the NET. So why should they give a flying HOOT That is upper management's fault !!!!!! Not MINE. Waitng on ur reply. If U thatcadvise on how to run CS business ASK. I'm a former Fixxed Operation Mgr