ATLANTIC CITY — There are signs of trouble at Ocean Resort Casino, the $2.4 billion Boardwalk megaresort heralded as being a key part of the seaside gaming resort’s comeback.
The casino, which opened June 27, has struggled to gain a significant market share among Atlantic City’s nine properties, and its parent company is facing liens from construction workers who claim they have not been paid. Meanwhile, owner Bruce Deifik was sued in December for a multimillion-dollar breach of contract by the casino’s former nightclub manger, who claimed Deifik is trying to sell the property.
Deifik said in the fall that all is well with Ocean Resort. But the normally talkative Colorado-based real estate investor who purchased the former Revel Casino Hotel for $229 million in January 2018 has not talked since about the casino’s finances.
On Wednesday morning, there were more warning signs when, at the request of Ocean Resort, an application for temporary approval of a senior executive was pulled from the Casino Control Commission’s agenda. A spokesperson for the casino declined to comment on the reason. The commission’s chairman, James Plousis, said they were unaware of any issues at Ocean and no documentation had been provided to the industry regulatory body stating otherwise.
PHOTOS: Ocean Resort Casino's Grand Opening
Carl D’Argenzio, of Washington Township, celebrates a win. on the roulette table during the opening day at Ocean Resort Casino. D’Argenzio also visited the Hard Rock Atlantic City. “It’s not as crazy and over-crowded at Ocean. We’ve had such an easy time getting our cards and everything,” D’Argenzio said. Thursday, June 28
A man tosses the dice at a craps table at Ocean Resort Casino during their grand opening day on Thursday. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates its grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
The Ovation Hall at Ocean Resort Casino is slotted to host events such as Top Rank Boxing in August. Thursday, June 28
Pat and Bob Raywood, from Margate, enjoy the views from the deck of the Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Lines are growing around the Ocean Resort Casino with people waiting for premier player cards. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Eva and Bob Miller, of Manchester, sit at a slot machine Thursday in Ocean Resort Casino — but they said their choice is Hard Rock, where they had just been. ‘It doesn’t look like they made any changes to the old Revel,’ Bob Miller said.
With more coming soon, many shops are open at the Ocean Resort Casino, including coffee shop The Grind. Thursday, June 28
Frances Marco, 70, of Toms River shows her old player card from Revel, which closed in 2014. "We’re back. We want to see what is different about it and what they give you,” she says. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
The Ocean Resort Casino's shopping area, Shops at the Row, is lined with now-open and future stores. Thursday, June 28
The waves are reflected onto the windows of the Ocean Resort Casino on Thursday morning. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
The tables are set for patrons at Amada, one of two Chef Jose Garces restaurants in Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
The Ovation Hall at Ocean Resort Casino is slotted to host events such as Top Rank Boxing in August. Thursday, June 28
With more coming soon, many shops are open at the Ocean Resort Casino, including coffee shop The Grind. Thursday, June 28
Dealers at a craps table were hard at work Thursday morning at the grand opening of the Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Many restaurants within the Ocean Resort Casino are ready for patrons, including Zhen Bang Noodles and Sushi. Thursday, June 28
The opening of the Ocean Resort Casino also marks the re-opening of Ivan Kane's Royal Jelly Burlesque Nightclub. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Ocean Resort Casino celebrates their grand opening on Thursday in Atlantic City. Thursday, June 28
Mother-daughter duo Eleanor Austin, 70, and Lorie Austin, 31, came to the Ocean Resort Casino from Aberdeen.
The tables are set for patrons at Amada, one of two Chef Jose Garces restaurants in Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
The finishing touches are put on the future Topgolf Swing Suite at Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
Tourism District Unit officers from the Atlantic City Police Department covered each side of both the Ocean Resort Casino and Hard Rock on Thursday for their openings.
Bob and Pat Raywood, of Margate, were present for the Ocean Resort Casino's opening on Thursday. Bob Raywood commented on the state of Hard Rock's opening as well. “Everything is brand spanking new,” he said.
Ocean Resort Casino's Ovation Hall was featured in its launch on Thursday.
Ocean Resort Casino's Ovation Hall was featured in its launch on Thursday.
Ocean Resort Casino's Ovation Hall was featured in its launch on Thursday.
Ocean Resort Casino's Ovation Hall was featured in its launch on Thursday.
Eva and Bob Miller, of Manchester, sat at a slot machine Thursday in Ocean Resort Casino. They preferred Hard Rock. “It doesn’t look like they made any changes to the old Revel,” Bob Miller said.
Lines were long on Thursday at the Ocean Resort Casino's opening in AC. Isaac Mason of College Park, Maryland, waited in line for a premier card.
The waves reflected off The Ocean Resort Casino on its opening Thursday.
The Ocean Resort Casino opened Thursday.
Ocean Resorts Casino opened Thursday.
The Ocean Resort Casino opened Thursday.
The Ocean Resort Casino opened Thursday.
Barbara and Cy Falcon, of Bridgewater, NJ, had a spot in the sun. The couple mentioned that not much has changed with Ocean Resort Casino's grand opening.
Officials prepared for Ocean Resort Casino's ribbon cutting on Thursday.
Officials prepared for Ocean Resort Casino's ribbon cutting on Thursday.
Mark Wahlberg and Mayor Frank Gilliam came out on Thursday for the grand opening of Ocean Resort Casino.
Bruce Deifik, owner and chairman of Ocean Resort Casino, speaks at the ribbon-cutting.
ceremony for Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
Hundreds of media, local leaders, and spectators crowd the Atlantic City boardwalk to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the Ocean Resort Casino on Thursday. Thursday, June 28
Hundreds of media, local leaders, and spectators crowd the Atlantic City boardwalk to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the Ocean Resort Casino on Thursday. Thursday, June 28
David L. Rebuck, director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement, speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ocean Resort Casino.
Thursday, June 28
Actor Mark Wahlberg waves to cheering spectators at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
Actor Mark Wahlberg speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ocean Resort Casino.
David L. Rebuck, Director of the Division of Gaming Enforcement, speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
George Vizer, Vice President of Franchise and Owner Relations for Hyatt, speaks at the ribbon-cutting ceremony for Ocean Resort Casino. Thursday, June 28
Hundreds of media, local leaders, and spectators crowd the Atlantic City boardwalk to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the Ocean Resort Casino on Thursday. Thursday, June 28
Hundreds of media, local leaders, and spectators crowd the Atlantic City Boardwalk to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the Ocean Resort Casino on Thursday. Thursday, June 28, 2018
Hundreds of media, local leaders, and spectators crowd the Atlantic City boardwalk to watch the ribbon-cutting ceremony during the grand opening of the Ocean Resort Casino on Thursday. Thursday, June 28