January 8th, 2011 – by Glen Farmer
In 2010, New Jersey begun passing legislation that would allow smaller casinos to be established in Atlantic City. Hard Rock International is on the brink of becoming the first of these miniature casinos.
On Wednesday, Governor Christie signed the legislation into law, and the door is now open to smaller casinos in the region.
“All the indications from Hard Rock, including conversations this week, is that they are poised to take advantage of the botique-casino bill,” began State Senator James Whelan (D-Atlantic). “…they [Hard Rock] look forward to moving on it and putting some people to work.”
The measure that passed was written to allow 200-room hotel casinos to be established. These casinos will be built with no more than 20,000 square feet of casino, or they can opt for 30,000 square feet of casino, with at least 200 hotel rooms, though they must expand to at least 500 hotel rooms within the first five years of their receiving their license.
The casino that Hard Rock has planned will hold at least the 200 rooms, but fewer than 500. They will also be incorporating restaurants, nightclubs, a swimming pool, and a spa.