Hard Rock picks: three casino locations in New York
Hard Rock International, the international casino, entertainment and gambling company, yesterday announced three potential casino locations in New York. The name, owned by the Seminole tribe of Florida, has already become an integral part of the city as a $400-500 million hotel opens in Manhattan in April. The Hard Rock Café in Times Square has been a tourist attraction for years.
Allen was in Atlantic City to announce a $10 million bonus for 2,400 Hard Rock employees. This was to celebrate the casino's performance for 2021. It also marked the highest growth in Atlantic City's gambling revenues since 2019, before the pandemic.
A $2 billion plan to build a new casino in New York City will offset these other investments. Jim Allen, chairman of the Hard Rock board of directors, said there are at least three possible locations for a casino. However, he explained that the soon-to-open Hard Rock Hotel New York, with its 446 rooms, would not be one of them.
Allen explained, "You have to have a big enough location to take advantage of the market. We're very proud of our hotel on 48th Street, but it's not big enough to play. As for the other locations, we are waiting for the governor and the committee to send out a request for proposals to see what wording in the bill regarding geographical locations would be acceptable to the state."
Allen added that he expects the actual selection to begin in the autumn or summer if the legislation is passed so that three casinos can be opened. Many major gambling and hotel companies have expressed interest in opening a casino in New York.
Hard Rock still owns part of the Meadowlands racetrack in East Deserford, New Jersey. Allen said he suggested building a casino there, which is still possible. He said Hard Rock may also decide to open a casino in New York, a few miles from Meadowlands, but that does not necessarily mean the company will abandon plans to open a casino in Meadowlands.
New Jersey's state constitution would have to be amended to allow casino gambling outside of Atlantic City. A referendum that would have allowed it was rejected by voters in 2016.
Allen said he's not suggesting the company abandon the Meadowlands option. He said Hard Rock is looking at the issue from all angles and has not ruled out the possibility of several casinos opening in the same area. Meadowlands is only 14 miles from New York City. And so they will be throwing a very cool Hard Rock style party. Also visit this site to find out how to throw a party at home.
Allen said there is a risk of Hard Rock projects being developed in New York or northern New Jersey and siphoning money away from Atlantic City casinos. However, he said, Atlantic City casinos could benefit from such synergies by sending players to Atlantic City for special events.
