Casino Control Commission approves dozens of key-employee licenses, remands two applications

The New Jersey Casino Control Commission on the record approved grants for dozens of casino key-employee licenses and several resubmissions, remanded two applications for contested-case hearings and denied one initial application after the applicant failed to cooperate with the Division of Gaming Enforcement.

The action items covered routine license renewals and resubmissions, several temporary and multi-casino endorsements, and staff requests to place a set of licenses on an inactive list or to find others lapsed for failure to file. The commission recorded motions and roll-call votes for each item and memorialized delegated approvals granted by staff between June 24 and July 31, 2024.

Key outcomes at a glance: the commission ratified the public minutes of July 3, 2024; approved seven initial casino key-employee licenses recommended by staff; granted 56 resubmitted key licenses; approved three resubmitted keys with multi-casino endorsements (Jamie M. Harris, Michelle T. McCants/Sanders, and Jillian M. Reed/Plugg) under NJSA 5:12-91.1; remanded the applications of Kayla A. Samadore and Thomas Vinciters to the contested-case process after Division objections; inactivated nine requested licenses (up to five years); found seven licenses lapsed under NJAC 19:41-6.1f for failure to file timely review applications; denied the initial application of Shah Shahab Zaman for failing to cooperate with the Division's investigation; approved stipulations of settlement and continued licensing for Renee L. Trust and Bonita Edwards; and approved a division-filed stipulation withdrawing the revocation complaint against Kania Y. Blakely while permitting her to reapply under stipulated timelines.

Division counsel Jocelyn Fedowitz asked the commission on several matters to follow the Division's recommendations, including the denial request in the Shah Shahab Zaman docket, saying in open session that the Division "respectfully requests" denial where applicants have not complied with the contested-case process. Commission votes were recorded by roll call and, where shown in the record, were unanimous in favor of staff recommendations.

The meeting also documented delegated staff approvals of multi-casino endorsements and temporary licenses during late June–July 2024; Patrick Ealer, the commission's manager of licensing and financial evaluation, summarized those items for the record and indicated no further action was required by the full commission.

The commission set its next closed session for Sept. 11, 2024. The public participation period included one speaker who raised concerns about an exclusion list; commission staff advised him on the Division of Gaming Enforcement petition process for removal.

Votes at a glance: - Ratify minutes, 07/03/2024 — approved (motion; aye). - Grant 7 initial casino key-employee licenses — approved (motion; aye). - Remand Kayla A. Samadore and Thomas Vinciters — remanded to contested case (motion; aye). - Grant 56 resubmitted licenses — approved (motion; aye). - Grant 3 resubmitted keys with multi-casino endorsements (Harris, McCants, Reed) under NJSA 5:12-91.1 — approved (motion; aye). - Inactivate 9 casino key-employee licenses — approved (motion; aye). - Find 7 licenses lapsed (NJAC 19:41-6.1f) — approved (motion; aye). - Deny Shah Shahab Zaman initial application (noncooperation) — approved (motion; roll-call yeses). - Approve stipulations for Renee L. Trust and Bonita Edwards — approved (motions; ayes). - Withdraw revocation complaint and permit reapplication for Kania Y. Blakely under stipulated terms — approved (motion; aye).

The commission's minutes and staff reports will be posted on the Casino Control Commission website when available.