Hard Rock Atlantic City appoints George Goldhoff as President; Mike Sampson as General Manager

Atlantic City’s Hard Rock casino hired Tuesday a new management team as the property seeks to gain an even greater share of the market. George Goldhoff has been named president of the casino and Mike Sampson was appointed general manager. Both are expected to start within the next few weeks, after the firm receives approval from New Jersey gambling regulators.

Hard Rock currently ranks second among Atlantic City’s nine casinos in terms of overall gambling revenue, winning more than $533 million over the first 11 months of the last year, trailing only the Borgata. The property is the former Trump Taj Mahal casino, which reopened in 2018 after being remodeled.

Goldhoff is president of the Hard Rock Casino Cincinnati, which is the market-share leader in southwestern Ohio. Before joining Hard Rock, Goldhoff oversaw four properties as president and CEO of PURE Canadian Gaming, notes Associated Press.

Jim Allen.

Jim Allen, chairman of Hard Rock International, commented on these appointments and said: “I’m confident George will continue to build on the incredible success we have achieved at Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City.” 

“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,” he added. 

Goldhoff previously led teams at hospitality venues including The Rainbow Room and The Plaza Hotel in New York. He also assisted in opening Bellagio in Las Vegas.

Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he assisted in the $700 million restoration of MGM’s Mississippi property, later becoming general manager of Gold Strike Hotel and Casino in Tunica. 

Sampson was part of the pre-opening team at Hard Rock Atlantic City, and has worked there since its debut. Most recently, he served as interim president after the departure of former Hard Rock Atlantic City President Anthony Faranca in November. He also has worked with companies such as Tropicana, Trump Entertainment Resorts and Seneca Gaming.