New Jersey Casino Control Commission
Encyclopedia
The Casino Control Commission is a New Jersey
state governmental agency that was founded in 1977 as the state's gaming control board
, responsible for administering the Casino Control Act and its regulations to assure public trust and confidence in the credibility and integrity of the casino industry and casino operations in Atlantic City
. Casinos operate under licenses granted by the Commission. The commission is headquartered in the Arcade Building at Tennessee Avenue and Boardwalk in Atlantic City.
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor of New Jersey
with advice and consent
of the New Jersey Senate
. Commissioners serve staggered, five-year terms and can only be removed for cause. By law, no more than three commissioners can be of the same political party, a requirement that is intended to ensure political balance on the panel.
One commissioner is appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
(CRDA). A second commissioner may be appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the CRDA in lieu of the commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development or the Department of Community Affairs
.
On November 15, 2010 State Senators James Whelan
(D-2nd) and Raymond Lesniak
(D-20th) introduced Senate Bill S12 to change the New Jersey Casino Control Act by transferring day-to-day regulatory functions from the Casino Control Commission to the New Jersey Attorney General's Division of Gaming Enforcement. After hearings in both houses of the Legislature, the bill was approved on January 10, 2011 and signed into law by Governor Christie on February 1, 2011.
The commission now issues casino licenses, statements of compliance and other rulings. It issues licenses for casino key employees. It also hears appeals from decisions of the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
The Division of Gaming Enforcement handles all the day-to-day regulation of casinos, it registers casino employees and non-gaming casino vendors. The Division of Gaming Enforcement also licenses gaming related casino vendors. A number of the decisions by the Director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement can be appealed to the Casino Control Commission.
Source: New Jersey Casino Control Commission
and Stuart Perlman to sever themselves from Caesars World.
In 1979, a license was denied to Bally Manufacturing Corp. board Chairman William T. O’Donnell.
In 1982, a permanent license was denied to Hugh Hefner
and Playboy Enterprises
.
In 1985, a license was denied to Barron Hilton
and Hilton Hotels
Corp.
In 1989, the casino at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino was forced to close.
In 2007, the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, was denied a renewal of its license.
In 2010, the CCC approved a settlement between the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and MGM Mirage
, whereby MGM relinquished their 50% ownership in the Borgata
Hotel Casino. This was in connection with MGM's partnership in a Macau casino with Pansy Ho
, who was found to be unsuitable.
New Jersey
New Jersey is a state in the Northeastern and Middle Atlantic regions of the United States. , its population was 8,791,894. It is bordered on the north and east by the state of New York, on the southeast and south by the Atlantic Ocean, on the west by Pennsylvania and on the southwest by Delaware...
state governmental agency that was founded in 1977 as the state's gaming control board
Gaming Control Board
A gaming control board , also called by various names including gambling control board, casino control board, gambling board, and gaming commission) is a government agency charged with regulating casino and other types of gaming in a defined geographical area, usually a state, and of enforcing...
, responsible for administering the Casino Control Act and its regulations to assure public trust and confidence in the credibility and integrity of the casino industry and casino operations in Atlantic City
Atlantic City, New Jersey
Atlantic City is a city in Atlantic County, New Jersey, United States, and a nationally renowned resort city for gambling, shopping and fine dining. The city also served as the inspiration for the American version of the board game Monopoly. Atlantic City is located on Absecon Island on the coast...
. Casinos operate under licenses granted by the Commission. The commission is headquartered in the Arcade Building at Tennessee Avenue and Boardwalk in Atlantic City.
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission consists of five members appointed by the Governor of New Jersey
Governor of New Jersey
The Office of the Governor of New Jersey is the executive branch for the U.S. state of New Jersey. The office of Governor is an elected position, for which elected officials serve four year terms. While individual politicians may serve as many terms as they can be elected to, Governors cannot be...
with advice and consent
Advice and consent
Advice and consent is an English phrase frequently used in enacting formulae of bills and in other legal or constitutional contexts, describing a situation in which the executive branch of a government enacts something previously approved of by the legislative branch.-General:The expression is...
of the New Jersey Senate
New Jersey Senate
The New Jersey Senate was established as the upper house of the New Jersey Legislature by the Constitution of 1844, replacing the Legislative Council. From 1844 until 1965 New Jersey's counties elected one Senator, each. Under the 1844 Constitution the term of office was three years. The 1947...
. Commissioners serve staggered, five-year terms and can only be removed for cause. By law, no more than three commissioners can be of the same political party, a requirement that is intended to ensure political balance on the panel.
One commissioner is appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
Casino Reinvestment Development Authority
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority or CRDA is a New Jersey state governmental agency that was founded in 1984 and is responsible for directing the spending of casino reinvestment funds in public and private projects to benefit Atlantic City and other areas of the state...
(CRDA). A second commissioner may be appointed by the Governor to serve as a member of the CRDA in lieu of the commissioner of the Department of Commerce and Economic Development or the Department of Community Affairs
New Jersey Department of Community Affairs
The New Jersey Department of Community Affairs is a governmental agency of the U.S. state of New Jersey. The department is headed by Commissioner Lori Grifa...
.
On November 15, 2010 State Senators James Whelan
Jim Whelan
Jim Whelan is an American Democratic Party politician, who serves in the New Jersey State Senate where he represents the 2nd legislative district, having taken office on January 8, 2008....
(D-2nd) and Raymond Lesniak
Raymond Lesniak
Raymond J. "Ray" Lesniak is an American Democratic Party politician, who has been serving in the New Jersey State Senate since 1983, where he represents the 20th Legislative District. Before entering New Jersey's upper house, the Senate, Lesniak served in the General Assembly from 1978 to 1983...
(D-20th) introduced Senate Bill S12 to change the New Jersey Casino Control Act by transferring day-to-day regulatory functions from the Casino Control Commission to the New Jersey Attorney General's Division of Gaming Enforcement. After hearings in both houses of the Legislature, the bill was approved on January 10, 2011 and signed into law by Governor Christie on February 1, 2011.
The commission now issues casino licenses, statements of compliance and other rulings. It issues licenses for casino key employees. It also hears appeals from decisions of the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
The Division of Gaming Enforcement handles all the day-to-day regulation of casinos, it registers casino employees and non-gaming casino vendors. The Division of Gaming Enforcement also licenses gaming related casino vendors. A number of the decisions by the Director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement can be appealed to the Casino Control Commission.
Commissioners
As of February 1, 2011 the day-to-day regulatory responsibilities of the Casino Control Commission were transferred to the Division of Gaming Enforcement following the signing of a bill by Governor Chris Christie. The new law eliminated the requirement for the commission to have inspectors in casinos around-the-clock and gave the Division of Gaming Enforcement the responsibility for certifying gaming revenue. The Division of Gaming Enforcement also took over responsibility for registering all casino employees and vendors and for handling all patron complaints.- Linda M. Kassekert, Chair
- Sharon Anne Harrington, Commissioner
- Edward J. Fanelle, Vice Chair
Source: New Jersey Casino Control Commission
Former members
- James R. HurleyJames R. HurleyJames R. Hurley is an American Republican Party politician from Millville in Cumberland County, New Jersey. Hurley served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 1st legislative district from 1976 to 1982 and in the New Jersey Senate from 1982 to 1990...
, 1990–2002; Chairman, 1998–2002 - Leanna BrownLeanna BrownLeanna Brown is an American Republican Party politician who served in both houses of the New Jersey Legislature, where she represented the 26th Legislative District. She was the first Republican woman elected to the New Jersey Senate....
, 1993–1999 - Steven P. PerskieSteven P. PerskieSteven P. Perskie is a former New Jersey Superior Court judge in Atlantic City, New Jersey and a former Democratic Party politician from Margate, New Jersey. Perskie served as a member of the New Jersey General Assembly, where he represented the 2nd legislative district from 1971 to 1977. He was...
, Chairman, 1990–1994 - Frank J. DoddFrank J. DoddFrank J. "Pat" Dodd was an American businessman and Democratic Party politician who served as President of the New Jersey Senate from 1974 to 1975.-Early life:...
, 1989–1993 - Michael C. Epps, 2002–2011
- Walter N. ReadWalter N. ReadWalter Newton "Bud" Read was the second chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, from 1982 to 1989.-Biography:...
, Chairman, 1982–1989 - Joseph P. Lordi, Chairman, 1977–1982
Notable cases
In 1979, the CCC ordered Clifford S. PerlmanClifford S. Perlman
Clifford "Cliff" S. Perlman is a Las Vegas, Nevada entrepreneur and former President and CEO of the Caesars Palace casino for over a decade. During his ownership he built thousands of additional rooms to what is the current Caesars Palace. Most notably, Perlman, first introduced live sports and...
and Stuart Perlman to sever themselves from Caesars World.
In 1979, a license was denied to Bally Manufacturing Corp. board Chairman William T. O’Donnell.
In 1982, a permanent license was denied to Hugh Hefner
Hugh Hefner
Hugh Marston "Hef" Hefner is an American magazine publisher, founder and Chief Creative Officer of Playboy Enterprises.-Early life:...
and Playboy Enterprises
Playboy Enterprises
Playboy Enterprises, Inc. is a privately held global media and lifestyle company founded by Hugh Marston Hefner to manage the Playboy magazine empire. Its programming and content are available worldwide on television networks, Websites, mobile platforms and radio...
.
In 1985, a license was denied to Barron Hilton
Barron Hilton
William Barron Hilton I is an American business magnate, socialite, and hotel heir. He is the former co-chairman of the Hilton Hotels chain, and the original owner of the Los Angeles Chargers...
and Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels
Hilton Hotels & Resorts is an international chain of full-service hotels and resorts founded by Conrad Hilton and now owned by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton hotels are either owned by, managed by, or franchised to independent operators by Hilton Worldwide. Hilton Hotels became the first coast-to-coast...
Corp.
In 1989, the casino at the Atlantis Hotel and Casino was forced to close.
In 2007, the Tropicana Hotel & Casino, was denied a renewal of its license.
In 2010, the CCC approved a settlement between the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and MGM Mirage
MGM Mirage
Not to be confused with the Las Vegas, Nevada based casino/resort operator Resorts International Holdings.MGM Resorts International is a Paradise, Nevada based corporation that brands itself as a global hospitality company. It is the second largest gaming company in the world by revenue - about...
, whereby MGM relinquished their 50% ownership in the Borgata
Borgata
The Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa is a luxury hotel, casino, and spa in Atlantic City, New Jersey, United States. It is owned by Marina District Development, a joint venture between Boyd Gaming and a divesture trust established by MGM Resorts International...
Hotel Casino. This was in connection with MGM's partnership in a Macau casino with Pansy Ho
Pansy Ho
Pansy Catalina Ho Chiu-king is the daughter of Hong Kong and Macau-based businessman Stanley Ho, and the managing director of various companies he founded, including Shun Tak Holdings and the Sociedade de Turismo e Diversões de Macau....
, who was found to be unsuitable.