NJ casino regulators to grant the Tropicana Casino a new 1-year license.
Three years ago New Jersey casino regulators revoked the license from the Tropicana Casino and this week were able to reinstate it for a one year term.
The Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City, N.J has made great strides over the past three years under new management, enough to secure not only a new licsense but peace of mind for the CEO and President, Scott Beutera.
"For the first time in many months, I actually sleep at night when I think of Tropicana," said Butera, "I feel like we're finally there."
"It is amazing when I think of where we were and what we've been through," said Linda Kassekert, chairwoman of the commission. "This has been a good process with a great outcome."
In 2007, the owner of the Tropicana laid off 1,000 workers. Those that remained were unable to keep up with the casino and hotel, resulting in the casino commission pulling the owner of its casino license. The commission appointed a retired judge to run the place until it came under the ownership of billionaire Carl Icahn.
Now the Tropicana has clean rooms and growing revenue, prompting the union president of Unite-HERE to remark "It's a lot better place to work than it was." Bob McDevitt represents Local 54, which represents 15,000 casino hotel room cleaners as well as other service employees.