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Casino Control Commission approves multiple key-employee licenses, denies one application
Summary
The commission approved multiple initial and resubmitted casino key employee licenses (including plenary and temporary qualifications for several operators) and denied one application for failure to comply with contested-case procedures.
At its Nov. 27 public meeting, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission approved a series of casino key employee licensures and related petitions across operators in Atlantic City.
The commission voted to ratify prior public minutes and then approved staff and Division of Gaming Enforcement recommendations to grant 11 initial casino key employee licenses and 11 resubmitted licenses listed on the agenda. The panel also approved a resubmitted application with a multi-casino endorsement for an applicant to serve in administrative and security roles at Caesars, Harrah's and Tropicana.
Separately, the commission approved a series of temporary and plenary qualifications: an initial casino key employee license and residency-waiver plenary qualification for Francis (Frank) Donahue to serve as vice president and chief compliance officer for HR Atlantic City LLC and related Seminole entities; temporary authorization for Ayesha Molino to assume chief operating officer duties for MGM Resorts International pending plenary qualification; temporary authorization for Brandon Dardo to serve as regional president of operations for MGM Resorts; and a temporary casino key employee license to Shane Thompson to serve as vice president of strategic marketing and analysis for Golden Nugget Atlantic City.
The commission approved a stipulation of settlement and license for Alexa Hart subject to the stipulated conditions. The Division had filed letters of no objection for many petitions and detailed reports where applicable.
The commission also denied the initial application of Kenneth Purnell Jr. after the Division recommended denial under sections of the Casino Control Act and after noting Purnell's failure to pursue the contested case process.
Routine administrative actions included delegations of authority memorialized by staff (manager Harry Givis reported delegated approvals for October 2025) and staff-recommended inactivation or lapsing of individual licenses where applicants requested inactivation or failed to file required reviews.
Votes on individual items were recorded by roll call or voice vote as listed in the public meeting record. Commission staff will prepare orders and formal minutes reflecting the specific license conditions, docket numbers and any residency waivers or stipulation terms.
