Revel's Glenn Straub Suing New Jersey Over Casino Licensing

Glenn Straub has gone through a number of problems in purchasing the former Revel Casino, including fights with the seagulls destroying windows. Now, he’s adding one more trial to the mix because he’s suing the state of New Jersey over a casino licensing issue.

Straub’s lawsuit centers on his belief that he shouldn’t have to get a casino license to do business with the Revel. Instead, he merely wants to be a landlord who rents out the former $2.4 billion property.

Further, Straub wants a federal judge to make the state Casino Control Commission drop the expensive casino licensing requirement.

“Mr. Straub has spent a lot of time, effort and money in trying to make Atlantic City great again,” said Straub’s laywer David Stefankiewicz. “He remains ready, willing and able to open the casino.”

Stefankiewicz also said that the commission is forcing Straub to jump through needless hoops, as Atlantic City’s gambling industry continues declining.

“Instead of creating roadblock after roadblock, the agency should be doing everything in its power to facilitate getting this casino opened,” added Stefankiewicz. “Doing business here should not be this hard.”

Just in case the judge doesn’t grant Straub’s request of not having to obtain a casino license, he’s also filed an application to get a casino license.

Nevertheless, Straub remains adamant about the idea that he doesn’t need the same licensing as other casino owners because he’s going to be a hands-off landlord.

The lawsuit reads that Straub “intends to be the lessor of portions of … Revel for use as a casino/hotel and have no involvement in the casino/hotel’s operation other than as a lessor.”

Stefankiewicz compares what Straub wants to do to mall-building owner.

“Does it matter what the nature of the business being conducted is?” Does a mall owner control the business of its tenants like Macy’s or Dick’s or GAP or Annie’s or any other tenant occupied space?,” asked Stefankiewicz. “Surely, being a lessor of a property where, among other things, a casino is being operated does not mean the lessor controls or is involved in the tenant’s business in any way.”

Straub has hired a management team to run the property, which will be rebranded as “Ten.” The plan is to open the building in spring 2017, assuming he can get the necessary approval by then.

According to ABC News, other plans for Ten include the following:

“A rope-climbing course; a zip-line ride; an e-sports lounge where fans of online games can follow skilled players; 13 beachfront cabanas, and the conversion of part of the parking garage into a 13-story bicycle endurance course. Surfing, wind surfing and scuba lessons will be available on the beach, and a day-club (different than the former HQ club that operated at Revel) will open, along with a 32-room spa, he said.

“Other plans include a reopened nightclub; a comedy club; and a section of white-sand beach called Nikki Beach, including a volleyball court; seven indoor and outdoor pools; horse rides on the beach’ virtual reality machines; a rock-climbing wall and skydiving machine, and three 75-seat movie theaters.”