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Tropicana claims it got bad deal

TRENTON, New Jersey-- As reported by The Press of Atlantic City: "In an appeal before New Jersey's highest court, the former owner of Tropicana Casino and Resort contended Monday it was unfairly denied a new license because of political meddling and overzealous state gaming regulators.

"But state attorneys told the New Jersey Supreme Court that Tropicana Entertainment LLC failed to meet the strict regulatory requirements for casino ownership and does not deserve to have its license reinstated.

"Several of the Supreme Court justices seemed skeptical of Tropicana's claims that it tried to comply with gaming regulations but was thwarted by an unsympathetic Casino Control Commission. They questioned why the company failed to create an independent audit committee, a key reason why the commission stripped Tropicana of its license in December.

"... Other justices cited deep layoffs that left Tropicana understaffed and dirty. They wondered whether Tropicana ever met the requirement that New Jersey's casinos must be a 'superior, first-class facility' to be licensed.

"If any other casino found itself in the same situation, 'Do you think they would get licensed?' Chief Justice Stuart Rabner pointedly asked Tropicana attorney Karen Confoy.

"Confoy replied that the regulations don't specify what is meant by a first-class facility. She also maintained that the regulations don't fully spell out the requirements for an independent audit committee. She said Tropicana tried to form an audit committee, but the New Jersey Casino Control Act didn't make it clear how the panel was supposed to be 'independent'..."

copyrighted material written for and appeared exclusively in The Press of Atlantic City

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