Published on: March 11, 2026, 03:32h.
Updated on: March 11, 2026, 03:32h.
- George Goldhoff, CEO of Hard Rock Atlantic City, leads the Casino Association of New Jersey
- This trade organization represents the nine casinos in Trenton
George Goldhoff has been appointed as the new president and CEO of the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ), representing the interests of the state’s casinos.
Goldhoff took on his role at Hard Rock Atlantic City in January 2023, moving from Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, where he successfully positioned the venue as a leader in the local market.
His tenure in Atlantic City has been beneficial for Hard Rock International, and now he takes the helm at CANJ, advocating for the collective interests of nine casinos in Trenton, succeeding Mark Giannantonio, who led CANJ for nearly four years.
Opportune Moment
Goldhoff’s election came during a pivotal time, as the Casino Association of New Jersey comprises all nine casinos in Atlantic City, including Bally’s, Borgata, Caesars, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Harrah’s, Ocean Casino, Resorts, and Tropicana.
“I’m honored to take on the presidency of the Casino Association of New Jersey and to continue the solid groundwork that Mark Giannantonio has laid. The casino industry in Atlantic City is crucial to our state’s economy, providing jobs, attracting investment, and drawing visitors. I look forward to collaborating with our members, local authorities, and state leaders to capitalize on this momentum and enhance Atlantic City’s status as a premier resort destination,” Goldhoff stated.
Giannantonio reflected on his tenure, stating it was “a privilege” to chair CANJ, and expressed his continued dedication to Atlantic City and its gaming sector.
Goldhoff takes charge just as three comprehensive casino initiatives have been greenlit in downstate New York. These projects — Bally’s Bronx, Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World New York City — are expected to draw some clientele away from Atlantic City, though the actual impact remains uncertain.
Goldhoff’s company is involved in one of the three NYC casino projects at Metropolitan Park, partnering with Steve Cohen on an $8 billion integrated resort adjacent to Cohen’s Citi Field, home to the MLB’s New York Mets.
New York City in Perspective
As full-scale casinos with slot machines, live games, and sports betting prepare to launch in the Bronx and Queens, discussions arise regarding the potential for New Jersey to allow casino establishments in its central and northern regions.
Jane Bokunewicz, director of Stockton University’s Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism, believes that the NYC casinos will eventually disrupt Atlantic City’s business as visitors are drawn to explore these new venues. However, she maintains that Atlantic City will likely thrive in the long term due to its distinctive attractions such as the iconic Boardwalk, beaches, and value-driven dining experiences.
“In the long term, Atlantic City possesses unique features that New York cannot replicate. While New York’s casinos will soon offer a range of dining and entertainment options comparable to those in Atlantic City, they will never have the beach and historic Boardwalk,” Bokunewicz noted.
The locations of the NYC casinos may actually benefit New Jersey and Atlantic City, as destinations like Ferry Point Park in the Bronx, Willets Point in Queens, and Jamaica near JFK International Airport are not easily accessible for commuters from Central and North Jersey.