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Commission grants casino key employee license and plenary qualification to James McGowan
Summary
After reviewing a four‑day contested hearing and written exceptions, the commission adopted the hearing examiner’s initial decision and granted James McGowan a Casino Key Employee license and plenary qualification as vice president of security for Tropicana Atlantic City Corp.
The New Jersey Casino Control Commission adopted a hearing examiner’s initial decision on Aug. 13, 2025, and granted James McGowan a Casino Key Employee license (initial license number cited in the record as 10936‑112) and plenary qualification to serve as vice president of security at Tropicana Atlantic City Corp.
Counsel for McGowan told the commission that Commissioner Alyssa Cooper’s July 25, 2025, hearing examiner report concluded McGowan had met the statutory criteria by clear and convincing evidence for good character, honesty, integrity, and financial responsibility under the Casino Control Act (NJSA 5:12‑80; 5:12‑86; 5:12‑89). Based on four days of testimony and documentary evidence, counsel urged adoption of the hearing examiner’s report as the commission’s final report.
Deputy Attorney General Jocelyn Fedowitz, appearing on behalf of the Division of Gaming Enforcement, explained the division filed exceptions on Aug. 7, 2025 (marked D‑1), and asked the commission to consider several points. The division said its report and exceptions raised concerns about McGowan’s candor, several internal conduct complaints and lawsuits from his time with the New Jersey State Police, and procedural issues surrounding a subpoena and substitution of a witness certification for live testimony.
Commissioners discussed the procedural history (including a motion to quash, substitution of a certification, and the absence of one live witness), how those matters were reflected in the initial decision, and the division’s contention that certain background should have been weighed differently. Commissioners also reviewed the record that the division described as including six conduct complaints during McGowan’s state police career, many of which the division said were administratively closed or deemed unfounded.
Commissioner Mario Formica moved to adopt the hearing examiner’s initial decision with a modification to a page‑reference in the report and to grant McGowan the casino key employee license and plenary qualification. The motion was seconded and adopted by roll‑call. The commission directed that marked exhibits (D‑1 and A‑1) be entered into the record and that minutes and the decision be posted consistent with commission practice.
