Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City names executives

(PRESS RELEASE) -- George Goldhoff has been named President of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Atlantic City effective 30 January 2023, pending regulatory approval. Goldhoff reports directly to Jim Allen, Chairman and CEO of Hard Rock International and CEO of Seminole Gaming.

Mike Sampson, who has been serving as interim general manager of Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Atlantic City, has been promoted to General Manager effective 30 January 2023, pending regulatory approval. He will report to Goldhoff.

In his new role of President, Goldhoff will focus on financial performance, market share growth, team member engagement and development, guest experience and support of the greater Atlantic City community.

“I’m confident George will continue to build on the incredible success we have achieved at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City,” said Allen. “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.”

Goldhoff comes to Atlantic City from Hard Rock Casino - Cincinnati, where he was President for the past three years and worked to rebrand the casino as a Hard Rock. The casino is currently the market share leader in southwest Ohio. Goldhoff also engaged with local community organizations in Cincinnati and orchestrated charitable donations of more than $1.4 million.

“I look forward to working closely with the leadership team and team members to capitalize on the opportunities ahead and usher in Hard Rock Atlantic City’s next era of growth and success,” said Goldhoff. “I have a deep appreciation for what the current executives and team members have accomplished over the past five years, and I look forward to contributing to further Hard Rock Atlantic City’s iconic brand and supporting the greater Atlantic City community.”

A national search is already underway to identify the next President of Hard Rock Casino - Cincinnati.

Before his work in Cincinnati, Goldhoff oversaw four properties as President and CEO of PURE Canadian Gaming in Western Canada. He also assisted in opening Bellagio - Las Vegas and was General Manager of Gold Strike Casino Resort in Tunica, MS.

Outside of work, Goldhoff enjoys working out, gardening, reading and hiking.

Sampson will oversee multiple areas of operation and administration at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Atlantic City. He has 32 years of experience in the casino industry and has been with Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Atlantic City since 2018, when he was a member of the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino - Atlantic City pre-opening team.

Sampson graduated from Franklin & Marshall College in Lancaster, PA, and began his gaming industry career as a Player’s Club Representative at Caesars Entertainment in Atlantic City. He also worked with Tropicana, Trump Entertainment and Seneca Gaming.

Sampson serves on the New Jersey Board of the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and strives to create awareness and remove the stigma surrounding suicide and mental health.

Sampson is an avid boater and fishing enthusiast. He has deep roots in the local community, as he was born in Atlantic City and grew up in nearby Galloway, NJ.