After broken handshake deals, Ocean Resort owner says he doesn't want a war for live music in AC
Alexis Johnson | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com
Several musical acts have broken handshake deals with the soon-to-open Ocean Resort to instead perform at Hard Rock for a bigger payday, Ocean Resort Casino owner Bruce Deifik says, while insisting he wants to avoid a 'war' for talent with the big name hotel set to open the same day as his.
Diefik testified for two hours before the New Jersey Casino Control Commission on Wednesday afternoon, hoping that the commission will grant the resort a lcasino license a little more than a week before its scheduled June 28 opening.
"We tried book a few acts, agents set a price and then a few days later we found out they were going to another property for more money. We had hand shaken deals and before the contract was signed the next day we found out that that particular act has gone somewhere else," Diefik said.
Deifik, founder and CEO of Integrated Properties in Denver, told the commission about Ocean Resort's entertainment options. He said the hotel has booked Jamie Foxx to host opening weekend, and plans to have several big name DJs spin at its two-story nightclub, HQ Squared, with a lineup of DJ Diplo, DJ Cascade, Jermaine Dupri, and DJs Sunnery James & Ryan Marciano.
Diefik added that the resort will host ESPN boxing matches and MMA fights in the fall.
"I'm happy that our customers can go watch a show at Hard Rock, or Tropicana, or Borgata, and stay at our place, and eat at our place, and play Topgolf at our place, and place their head on a pillow at our place," Diefik said of the 6.4 million square foot property that stands where the former Revel casino once stood.
Ocean Resort casino owner Bruce Deifik testified in front of the state Casino Control Commission at a casino licensure hearing
The owner also said that opening the same day as the Hard Rock was a coincidence. Deifik originally planned to open Ocean Resort on Memorial Day weekend but chose to push it to the weekend before the Fourth of July due to construction deadlines.
"My wife said let's do it that Thursday," he said. "The date was set seven months ago. I wanted to make sure that everything we had told people we were going to do, that we were going to get those things in place."
"After 13 months its pretty emotional. It's taken a lot to get here," Deifik said as he choked up in front of the commission.
Deifik spoke of internal changes made to address customer service complaints that were among the complaints of former Revel customers, revealing an "Ocean Ambassador" system made up of hospitality students from Stockton University and other local schools that will be in place to help guest navigate the property.
The grand opening ceremony is set for 3 p.m. on June 28, hours after the new Hard Rock Hotel & Casino will open its doors two doors down.
The casino commission will reconvene Thursday morning to make a decision on if Ocean Resort will be granted its license for gaming.
Alexis Johnson may be reached at ajohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @alexisjreports. Find nj.com on Facebook.