Now that Hard Rock Hotel & Casino has appointed a new president, Joe Lupo, it needs to make sure that he can be licensed. The Atlantic City-based company has submitted applications to state gaming authorities for both Lupo and its new senior VP of Marketing, Jeffrey Hook, to receive gaming licenses, as well as residency waivers.
New Jersey’s Casino Control Commission (CCC) will review the applications and decide whether or not the executives qualify for the licenses and residency waivers. If they’re approved, Lupo will begin oversight of the company on November 1. If not, it’ll be back to the drawing board for Hard Rock.
Lupo was named president only about a week ago in an effort to shake things up at the company. The Hard Rock only opened at the end of this past June following a renovation that cost over $500 million. The location was previously the Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort, which had shut down almost two years ago.
The incoming CEO is replacing Matt Harkness. The reason for the switch was not given, but company officials indicated that Harkness will stay on with different responsibilities. Hook is replacing Todd Moyer in his new role.
Lupo and Hook are no strangers to Atlantic City. Lupo previously served as the Senior VP of Operations for the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, departing in November 2016 for Hard Rock. Hook is now the Executive VP of Development and Marketing for Hard Rock International, having made the jump from his position as VP of Marketing for Harrah’s Entertainment.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement reports that the new Hard Rock venue has raked in $68.1 million in total gaming revenue since it opened its doors on June 27. For the first full operating month, the casino reported gaming revenue of $32.7 million, making the venue the third most successful out of the nine in the state. It fell behind the Borgata and Tropicana Atlantic City. The following month, it dropped down a notch with total gaming revenue of just $31.2 million. Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City beat it out by less than $400,000.
