Published on: April 17, 2026, at 11:26h.
Updated on: April 17, 2026, at 11:28h.
- Hard Rock has withdrawn interest in a North Jersey casino project.
- The firm has divested its shares in a prospective casino at Meadowlands Racetrack.
Hard Rock International has officially exed its plans for a casino resort at the Meadowlands Racetrack located in North Jersey.
According to initial reports from the Press of Atlantic City, Hard Rock has terminated its collaboration with Jeff Gural, the Meadowlands Racetrack operator, regarding a possible casino venture. Gural’s organization has purportedly acquired Hard Rock’s 50% stake in the project.
Ongoing discussions in Trenton revolve around potentially presenting a statewide ballot to amend the New Jersey Constitution, allowing for casino gaming beyond Atlantic City. With three new casinos anticipated to launch in downstate New York around 2030—two in Queens and one in the Bronx—the in-person gaming operations in Atlantic City, alongside the state’s tax revenue, may see a notable decline.
Impact of NYC Casinos on Atlantic City
There is a discussion on the extent to which Bally’s Bronx, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park, and Resorts World New York City will affect Atlantic City.
Given that these comprehensive casinos are situated in locations not easily accessible from North Jersey, Atlantic City might preserve a significant portion of its in-state clientele. However, traffic from the five boroughs is expected to decrease once slots, live dealer games, and sportsbooks become operational in New York City.
Jim Allen, the Chairman of Hard Rock International, noted during this week’s East Coast Gaming Congress in Atlantic City that he estimates a potential loss of 20-30% in retail annual gross gaming revenue (GGR) for Atlantic City.
Hard Rock is not the sole casino entity in Atlantic City looking towards New York. Bally’s Corporation has obtained the rights to launch a multibillion-dollar casino at Ferry Point in the Bronx.
The prospects for Bally’s Atlantic City appear uncertain, as the casino reported an operating loss of $2.8 million in 2025. Additionally, the Boardwalk establishment experienced an 8.2% decline in net revenue, totaling $183.2 million, the lowest among the nine casinos in Atlantic City.
In 2025, Bally’s reported a hotel occupancy rate of merely 57.3%, with the 1,121 rooms averaging a nightly price of $143.84—the second least expensive among Atlantic City’s casinos, trailing only Harrah’s at $142.65. Ocean Casino charges the highest at an average of $275.87 with an occupancy rate of 81.5%. Overall, Atlantic City casinos had a citywide occupancy rate of 71.2% last year.
Hard Rock Atlantic City Performance
Hard Rock’s Atlantic City venue is one of the top earners in the area. In 2025, the resort reported gross operating profits of $123.8 million, placing it second to Borgata, which achieved $237.4 million.
Gross operating profits reflect earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization, and any charges from affiliates or miscellaneous expenditures.
Hard Rock and Steve Cohen are gearing up for an $8 billion investment near Citi Field, home to Cohen’s New York Mets.