Lesniak offers Straub lifeline on reopening Revel casino

A New Jersey state politician has introduced legislation that would make it easier for the new owner of Atlantic City’s shuttered Revel to reopen the property as a casino.

On Monday, New Jersey State Sen. Ray Lesniak (pictured) introduced S3001, which would allow owners of Atlantic City hotels “to lease portion to casino operator under certain circumstances.”

The bill offers a lifeline to developer Glenn Straub, who learned last week that he needs a New Jersey gaming license if he wants to reopen Revel – under its new moniker TEN – with a casino component. Straub contends that he’s only a landlord, and that an outside firm will manage TEN’s gaming operations, so why does he need a gaming license?

Lesniak, a longtime proponent of gambling in the Garden State, told the Press of Atlantic City that it “makes no sense to have a landlord go through the same lengthy review as a casino operator and stands in the way of [TEN’s] opening and creating business activity and employment.”