AVALON – James T. Plousis, chairman of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission told the Cape May County Chamber of Commerce July 19 that he sees new employment opportunities in Atlantic City’s new casinos.
Plousis opened his remarks with the light-hearted comment, “I can’t keep a job,” then went on to add that he had been blessed to have many great opportunities.
His career in law enforcement began in the Woodbine Police Department in 1975, then as an Ocean City police office.
He was elected to six terms as Cape May County sheriff. Following that, he was appointed in 2002 by President George W. Bush as U.S. Marshal for the District of New Jersey.
Gov. Chris Christie tapped him as chair of the state Parole Board Aug. 2, 2010, and finally to his present post Dec. 26, 2017.
In his first six months, two new casinos opened in Atlantic City and sports betting became a reality.
“It’s a dynamic time,” he said, as he spoke at Bobby Dee’s Rock n Chair.
He said there is a refocusing on how the city will attract patrons to its beach and boardwalk. He also cited the tourism fact that 30 percent of Cape May County visitors go to Atlantic City for a day or part of one.
Thus, there is an “overlap” of tourism in both counties. He said he views part of his role to help expand that overlap so it benefits both entities.
That was one reason why Plousis noted, the Casino Control Commission recently joined the county Chamber of Commerce.
Of the uptick in employment, Plousis cited 30,000 workers in casinos in Atlantic City compared to 23,000 a year ago. He said Local 54 is planning a training course for hotel housekeepers, since it is expected that the need for them and others will “jump dramatically.”
As chairman, Plousis said he tracks every piece of data possible, including the number of buses and trains carrying patrons into Atlantic City.
He pointed to $5.8 million that flowed into Cape May County vendors from casinos. Those products and services run the gamut, Plousis said, “from laundry to produce.”
The Casino Reinvestment Development Authority is well known to county officials since it helps to fund such things as transportation and Meals on Wheels program, “We are getting our fair share because of our number (30 percent of the county’s population) of senior citizens,” he said.
“Between Ocean Resorts and Hard Rock, they hired over 7,000 people,” he said.
Hard Rock, a $5.8 billion company, Plousis said, “is in 76 countries and they are the largest owner of music memorabilia in the world. During their hearings, it was stated the company is in the entertainment business, not the gaming business. “They said we’re going to change the dynamic of Atlantic City,” said Plousis.
With a planned 300 nights of entertainment scheduled, he noted the venue would likely cause Boardwalk Hall to alter its offering of concerts to more sports-oriented events.
Plousis also said that casino executives have come to realize the importance of partnering with local businesses. He pointed to “A lot (of casinos) are involved with the Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce.”
