Hard Rock International has decided to dump its land acquisitions in Massachusetts after failing to secure a casino license in the state.
According to documents released by the Hampden County Registry of Deeds, the Florida-based gaming operator sold one of its properties when it was still in the thick of the casino race. An industrial site listed as 55 Circuit Ave., was sold for $385,000 to a corporation called Westside 55 Circuit LLC, owned by a local businessman identified by the Secretary of State’s office as T. Patrick Kennedy.
Hard Rock initially made the land purchase with the sole intention of using it to build its proposed resort and casino in the state. But the firm’s proposal never got off the ground after residents of West Springfield defeated the proposal by a 55-45% vote back in September 2013. That put Hard Rock out of the running, leaving the competition for the single Western Massachusetts casino license to MGM Resorts International and, at that time, Mohegan Sun.
In addition to selling the property at 55 Circuit Ave., the company also transferred municipal lien certificates to the town for three others, including properties on Circuit and Bramble avenues.
Hard Rock losing out on the casino license in Massachusetts may have potentially opened the door – yet again – for the casino operator to turn its attention to Atlantic City.
According to the Associated Press, the Seminole tribe that owns the Hard Rock brand is once again debating the possibility of entering the beleaguered Atlantic City casino market.
The tribe’s interest in Atlantic City is well-documented, having most recently applied for a statement of compliance in the state, considered a preliminary measure to becoming a licensed casino in New Jersey.
An even more recent regulatory filing indicates Hard Rock’s “interest in the Atlantic City casino market and may, if found qualified, engage in a business or activity that would require the issuance of a casino license.” The New Jersey Casino Control Commission is scheduled to hold a special meeting on Thursday to consider preliminary approval for Hard Rock to own a casino in Atlantic City.
The casino operator has had multiple dalliances in Atlantic City, having previously proposed a boutique casino and hotel with its signature rock ’n’ roll theme back in 2011. Hard Rock eventually scrapped that plan but also said that it wasn’t eliminating the prospect of jumping back in the fold in the future.
In 2013, Hard Rock toyed with the idea of buying Revel. The company ultimately passed on that, too.
