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Commission approves temporary Caesars appointments after questioning over residency and oversight
Summary
The commission approved temporary casino key-employee licenses and qualifications for Caesars' new regional president, Baron Fuller, and a vice president of operations, amid Division concerns that moving oversight out of Atlantic City could reduce regulatory oversight.
The Casino Control Commission approved temporary key-employee licenses and temporary qualification for Baron Fuller to serve as Caesars Entertainment's Regional President East and for Evan Jones to serve as a vice president of operations, after extended questioning from commissioners and a Division warning about the position's physical presence.
Caesars counsel described extensive recent capital investments in Atlantic City and said the company selected Baron Fuller as regional president because of his multi‑jurisdictional operational experience and leadership. Fuller was sworn in and told the commission he has "close to three decades" in gaming and would spend "approximately one week each month" in New Jersey while leading the Atlantic City properties. "I will dedicate as much time as needed for this market," Fuller said when asked about his availability.
Division counsel told commissioners the Division does not object to temporary licensure on a law‑enforcement basis but expressed concern that Caesars' restructuring — including moving the historic, Atlantic City‑based regional president role to Florida — and a limited physical presence could "negatively impact the Atlantic City licensees" absent a clear, primary on‑site presence. The Division said it had reviewed draft resolutions, suggested minor changes and will continue to monitor compliance with existing conditions and reporting requirements.
Commissioners pressed both Fuller and the similarly sworn-in operations officer (the transcript records a sworn name at the hearing as 'Kevin Jones' though the petition filed the week before is listed for 'Evan Jones') on how often they would be present locally and whether they might relocate to New Jersey. Jones told the commission he planned to travel to Atlantic City frequently and did not rule out a future move.
After questions and the Division's remarks, the commission moved, seconded and approved both temporary qualifications and licenses subject to conditions cited in the applicable statutes and administrative code (NJSA 5:12-89(e), NJSA 5:12-85.1, and NJAC 13:69c-2.7). The Division noted it will continue to monitor reporting and compliance obligations already in place for Caesars under prior conditions.
Why it matters: The Atlantic City market has substantial recent capital investment from Caesars and other operators; regulators said preserving a strong local oversight presence is important for ongoing monitoring of operations even as companies consolidate regional leadership and operate across multiple states.
Next steps: The temporary licenses permit the appointees to assume duties while they pursue plenary qualification. The Division will continue monitoring and may request further action if reporting or on‑site presence proves insufficient.
