Gaming and hospitality company Hard Rock International announced Monday that it would replace the President of its newest hotel and casino property in Atlantic City after just over three months of operation.
Matt Harkness, who oversaw the planning, construction, and launch phases of the $500-plus-million Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, will be replaced by Joe Lupo. Mr. Lupo is an industry veteran, who joined the Atlantic City property’s parent company a few years ago. He currently manages Hard Rock’s Tampa, Florida hotel and casino and was previously a Vice President at MGM-run Borgata in Atlantic City. Mr. Lupo will assume his new role from November 1.
No reason was provided for the unexpected change. Hard Rock only pointed out Monday that Mr. Harkness will take over new responsibilities from, but did not specify what these would be.
Hard Rock AC’s new President has decades of experience in the land-based casino industry. Prior to joining Hard Rock International, he had worked with Boyd Gaming for 30 years, spending 13 years at Atlantic City’s Borgata where he had been responsible for the property’s gambling and entertainment operations as well as for marketing.
Hard Rock AC’s Performance in First Few Months
Hard Rock Atlantic City opened doors on June 27, along with another Boardwalk property – Ocean Resort Casino (formerly Revel). The Hard Rock-operated hotel and casino complex became the city’s third highest grossing property in terms of revenue generated in July, but slipped to fourth place in August.
Hard Rock Atlantic City occupies the site of the former Trump Taj Mahal hotel and casino complex. Hard Rock bought the shuttered property from New York investor Carl Icahn in the spring of 2017 for a fraction of what it had cost to be built by former businessman and current President of the United States, Donald Trump.
The Florida-based gaming and hospitality company said last year that it would invest around $350 million to renovate the hotel and casino complex. It later on upped its investment to $500 million to replace the iconic Trump Taj Mahal minarets with guitars and other paraphernalia the Hard Rock brand is globally recognized for.
Hard Rock Atlantic City is currently one of just two Atlantic City casinos that do not offer sports betting services, following the legalization of wagering on professional and college sporting events in New Jersey in mid-June. However, there have been indications that the property will likely launch sports betting at some point in future.
According to papers from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, Hard Rock has reached an agreement with British online gambling giant bet365 to offer some form of sports betting. Here it is important to note that betting options at the company’s Atlantic City property could be limited due to Hard Rock’s ownership of the naming rights to the Miami Dolphins’ stadium. The operator purchased the naming rights in a $250-million deal in 2016.
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