Hard Rock Casino in Atlantic City just made a major managerial appointment amid its attempts to snag a larger share of the gaming market. On Tuesday, the casino operator announced a new management team that would see George Goldhoff as its new president and Mile Sampson as the general manager.
Goldhoff currently heads the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, the leader of southwestern Ohio market share. Prior to joining the company, he led four properties as the CEO and the president of PURE Canadian Gaming. Goldhoff was also a part of the board of directors of Chatters Limited Partnership.
The Hard Rock president previously worked for MGM Resorts International for over 13 years in several capacities. Goldhoff held the position of executive director of food and beverage and then the Vice President of food and beverage. He was eventually appointed the general manager of Tunica-based Gold Strike Hotel and Casino in Tunica.
Goldhoff was part of the team that aided MGM in the $700 million restoration of its Mississippi property after the 2005 Hurricane Katrina. He was also the head of teams in companies such as the New York situated The Plaza Hotel and The Rainbow Room for over half a decade.
The chairman of Hard Rock International, Jim Allen, commented on the appointment and revealed his confidence in Goldhoff’s suitability to run the Atlantic City subsidiary. Allen also shed light on the president’s impressive input since joining the Cincinnati subsidiary.
“I’m confident George will continue to build on the incredible success we have achieved at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City,” Allen said.
“In just three years of rebranding our property in Cincinnati, he was able to make that casino the leader in the market, and I have every reason to believe he will lead our Atlantic City team into the next era with great success.”
Sampson also boasts years of experience in the gaming industry before his recent appointment in the Hard Rock casino. He was a part of the group put together before Hard Rock Atlantic City was launched. After Anthony Faranca left the company in November, Sampson stood as the interim president of the Hard Rock Atlantic City. The reason for the change is yet to be addressed.
Besides the Hard Rock subsidiary, Sampson has worked with gambling firms such as Gaimari Gaming Group, Caesars Entertainment Corporation, Tropicana, Seneca Gaming, and Trump Entertainment Resorts.
Goldhoff and Sampson are expected to resume their duties in a few weeks after the New Jersey gambling regulators issue their approval.
Atlantic City has nine casino venues, and in terms of the total gambling venue, Hard Rock casino is currently in second while Borgata holds first place. Within the first 11 months of 2021, Hard Rock generated more than $533 million in its Atlantic City location.
Hard Rock Atlantic City first began operations in June 2018 after being gutted and remodeled from the former Trump Taj Mahal casino.