George Goldhoff Named President of Casino Association of New Jersey
Hard Rock Atlantic City president and CEO George Goldhoff has been elected president of the Casino Association of New Jersey
George Goldhoff has a new title. The president and CEO of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City has been elected president of the Casino Association of New Jersey.
The CANJ is the trade group that represents all nine Atlantic City casinos. Goldhoff succeeds Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts Casino Hotel, who led the association for nearly four years.
The appointment takes effect at a pivotal moment. New York City’s first full-scale commercial casinos are moving closer to opening. That means Atlantic City’s competitive landscape is about to change significantly.
Goldhoff’s Background
Goldhoff joined Hard Rock Atlantic City in January 2023. He came from Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, where he had served as president. He brings more than three decades of hospitality and gaming experience to the CANJ role.
Hard Rock Atlantic City has been one of the stronger performers on the Atlantic City boardwalk since reopening the former Trump Taj Mahal site in 2018. It has invested consistently in entertainment and non-gaming amenities. That positions Goldhoff as someone who understands how casinos compete for customers beyond the gaming floor.
In his statement on the appointment, Goldhoff said it is an honor to step into the role. He said he intends to continue the strong foundation his predecessor built. He also committed to working with members, local officials, and state leaders to strengthen Atlantic City’s economy and tourism base.
The New York Challenge
Goldhoff assumes the CANJ presidency as the most significant competitive threat in Atlantic City’s recent history takes shape. New York State awarded three downstate casino licenses in 2025. Two of the approved projects are in the New York metropolitan area.
One is Metropolitan Park in Queens. That project is an $8 billion integrated resort developed in partnership with Hard Rock. The other is Bally’s Bronx project at the site of the former Trump golf course, which is also advancing after Bally’s completed a land purchase earlier this year.
Industry analysts expect those projects to divert some visitors from the Atlantic City market once they open. The distance between Atlantic City and New York City is roughly two hours by car. Many of the same demographics that currently travel to Atlantic City will have closer options once the New York resorts come online.
However, academics and industry sources note that Atlantic City retains genuine competitive advantages. Its beachfront location and boardwalk experience are distinctive. No New York casino project replicates what Atlantic City offers as a destination. The city also has more than two decades of operational infrastructure that new entrants will take time to match.
A Trade Group in a Defensive Position
The CANJ’s primary challenge in the years ahead will be advocacy. Atlantic City casinos are significant contributors to New Jersey state revenue. They support tens of thousands of jobs. The association will need to make that case clearly as state legislators weigh policies affecting both the Atlantic City market and the broader iGaming and sports betting landscape.
Goldhoff will also oversee discussions on issues including online casino revenue sharing, responsible gaming requirements, and the ongoing legal debates around prediction markets and their potential impact on licensed sportsbooks. He steps into the role with a clear mandate and a difficult competitive environment to navigate.
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