ATLANTIC CLUB CASINO WARNS ON STAFF LAY-OFFS

Wednesday January 30,2013 : ATLANTIC CLUB CASINO WARNS ON STAFF LAY-OFFS
 
Could the Pokerstars acquisition make a difference to New Jersey legalization law?
 
Industry observers speculated Tuesday on whether the proposed acquisition of the Atlantic Club land casino in New Jersey by Pokerstars  would stave off extensive staff lay-offs that might lay ahead.
 
The speculation was triggered by a warning Monday to staff at Atlantic Club that 1,729 jobs could be lost by the end of March. The warning was a state labour regulatory requirement associated with the proposed acquisition by Pokerstars parent company Rational Group, said Michael Frawley, Atlantic Club’s chief operating officer.
 
“While there is no anticipation of layoffs or cessation of operations, as our company moves through this transaction process, the issuance of notices under WARN and N.J. WARN is a necessary legal requirement," Frawley explained.
 
The acquisition is currently pending the grant of an Interim Casino Authorization by the relevant New Jersey authorities, according to Eric Hollreiser, Rational Group's head of corporate communication.
 
Inevitably, there have been reports linking the Atlantic Club sale to the pending matter of New Jersey's online gambling legalization law, currently awaiting Governor Chris Christie's signature or veto .
 
There has been some speculation that the sale of Atlantic Club may be contingent on the passage of the new New Jersey legalization, placing more pressure to sign on the governor. These reports have, however, not been confirmed or substantiated.