Hard Rock International has bought its 50% curiosity within the long-discussed Meadowlands on line casino proposal to racetrack proprietor Jeff Gural, ending a partnership that had promoted the North Jersey venture for practically a decade. The transaction comes as state lawmakers once more think about asking voters to approve on line casino playing exterior Atlantic City.
Gural confirmed that his firm, New Meadowlands Racing, bought Hard Rock’s share roughly two weeks in the past. He didn’t disclose monetary phrases. The two sides first unveiled plans in 2015 for a on line casino on the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, one 12 months earlier than New Jersey voters rejected a statewide referendum that might have allowed casinos past Atlantic City by an 80% to twenty% margin.
The concern has now resurfaced in Trenton, the place legislators from Bergen and Monmouth counties are backing one other constitutional referendum that might allow casinos on the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park in Oceanport.
Hard Rock Refocuses After New York Win
The separation follows Hard Rock’s current success in New York, the place it secured approval for a brand new on line casino growth in Queens. Hard Rock’s Metropolitan Park venture, partnered with New York Mets proprietor Steve Cohen, is deliberate as an $8 billion resort close to Citi Field.
Hard Rock additionally operates Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, which opened in 2018 after the previous Trump Taj Mahal underwent a significant redevelopment.
Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, stated complicated possession constructions can create difficulties.
“We have looked into the different options,” Allen stated. “We all know partnerships; if there’s too many partners in a deal, it can be hard to navigate.”
Industry observers had additionally questioned whether or not Hard Rock might realistically pursue one other New Jersey on line casino whereas already working in Atlantic City and growing a significant property in New York.
Gural stated voter assist for casinos exterior Atlantic City might rely on proving that new venues would additionally assist the seaside market moderately than weaken it. He is contemplating a proposal that might direct a part of Meadowlands on line casino income towards Atlantic City or its on line casino trade.
“I’ve got to figure out a way to help Atlantic City,” Gural stated, as reported by the Press of Atlantic City. “That’s the key to getting this referendum. We need to show that it would be beneficial to Atlantic City to have a casino in the Meadowlands, and that’s what I’m going to work on.”
He additionally argued the Meadowlands would serve a special goal than Atlantic City.
“Atlantic City is a destination resort,” Gural stated. “The Meadowlands won’t be a destination resort; we may not even put a hotel there.”
Gural described a Meadowlands casino as a defensive response to on line casino growth in New York City, the place accepted initiatives in Queens and the Bronx are anticipated to accentuate regional competitors.
“New Jersey can allow us to build a casino at the Meadowlands and keep all the people in North Jersey gambling in North Jersey, and allow the people in Manhattan and Chinatown to come to New Jersey,” he stated. “They’re not going to go to Queens or the Bronx.”
Atlantic City Braces for New Competition
Executives in Atlantic City have warned that New York casinos might considerably cut back gaming income within the resort market. During the East Coast Gaming Congress, Allen estimated Atlantic City might lose between 25% and 30% of playing income as soon as New York amenities open.
George Goldhoff, president of Hard Rock Atlantic City and the Casino Association of New Jersey, warned that if North Jersey casinos have been added to the three accepted New York initiatives, as many as six of Atlantic City’s 9 casinos might shut. He stated such an end result might erase $600 million to $700 million in market income, describing it as “a tsunami on top of an earthquake.”
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small Sr. stated the town would compete aggressively whereas additionally opposing efforts to authorize casinos elsewhere in New Jersey.
Hard Rock’s Atlantic City property stays one of many metropolis’s stronger performers. In 2025, it posted gross working revenue of $123.8 million, second solely to Borgata.
Allen stated the corporate stays dedicated to the market, although he pressured that broader state motion is required.
“I am optimistic the governor will be serious about realizing that we can no longer kick the can down the road,” Allen stated. “If that occurs, we’d love to continue to be here in Atlantic City. But there’s a lot of ‘ifs’ there.”
Asked whether or not Hard Rock might ever go away the town, Allen replied: “Certainly right now our commitment is to stay.”
