Tony Rodio joined Tropicana in 2011 and currently serves as President and CEO of Tropicana Entertainment Inc and President and CEO of Tropicana Casino and Resort in Atlantic City. Immediately prior to taking the helm at Tropicana, he served as General Manager at Hollywood Casino in Indiana for three successful years.
Tracing his career path back as far as 1990, Rodio has steered several Atlantic City casinos to profitability in executive posts such as President of the Atlantic City Hilton and Resorts Casino, Regional Chief Financial Officer at Harrah's and Showboat Atlantic City and Vice President of Finance at both Trump Marina and Resorts Casino.
Today, Rodio also serves on the boards of many professional and charitable organizations including Atlantic City Alliance, Atlantic City Tourism Advisory Commission, United Way of Atlantic County, and the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming Hospitality & Tourism. He is the President of the Casino Association of New Jersey.
Needless to say, I was honored that a man of Mr. Rodio's stature would
allow me the time to interview him. Our conversation covered several
topics. The primary focus was about online gaming.
1). Nevada is taking the soft opening approach by only offering poker.
New Jersey is being more aggressive and offering all existing gaming.
Which market will grow the fastest? "New Jersey. The population is larger
than Nevada. New Jersey is also offering all the games, which will start
I Gaming out at a higher rate of play. This will enable the market to grow
faster."
3). Social Gaming is looking to participate in the Atlantic City market.
Zynga is mention prominently. Can these two worlds co-exist?
"We have 12 licenses in New Jersey. It all depends on who partners
with who. It will be very interesting if a social network operator merges
with an existing casino operator."
4).Will the Atlantic City market grow? "Yes. Now that Sandy is behind
us along with the addition of I Gaming the future looks bright for Atlantic
City. I expect the decline that we have seen for the past couple years
will reverse. I can't say when. I do know it's going to happen."
5).How much revenue do you think I Gaming will generate? "I see
the market being in the range of 500 million per year. We plan to be a
player in the market from day one."
6). What influence has Governor Christie had in the movement to revitalize
Atlantic City? "Governor Christie has been supportive of gaming and
tourism in Atlantic City. The ability of the CRDA to reinvest money right
here in AC is tremendous. The creation of the Atlantic City Alliance is
another piece taking us in the right direction."
7) What role will responsible gaming play in an online environment?
"Software will be available to us that can identify behavioral changes
in our players. We will take this very seriously. We will treat this area
the same way we do in our current casino operations."
I want to thank Mr. Rodio for his time and candid answers. I expect big
things from Tropicana.
Follow me on Twitter at @GamingGuyM
Tracing his career path back as far as 1990, Rodio has steered several Atlantic City casinos to profitability in executive posts such as President of the Atlantic City Hilton and Resorts Casino, Regional Chief Financial Officer at Harrah's and Showboat Atlantic City and Vice President of Finance at both Trump Marina and Resorts Casino.
Today, Rodio also serves on the boards of many professional and charitable organizations including Atlantic City Alliance, Atlantic City Tourism Advisory Commission, United Way of Atlantic County, and the Lloyd D. Levenson Institute of Gaming Hospitality & Tourism. He is the President of the Casino Association of New Jersey.
Needless to say, I was honored that a man of Mr. Rodio's stature would
allow me the time to interview him. Our conversation covered several
topics. The primary focus was about online gaming.
1). Nevada is taking the soft opening approach by only offering poker.
New Jersey is being more aggressive and offering all existing gaming.
Which market will grow the fastest? "New Jersey. The population is larger
than Nevada. New Jersey is also offering all the games, which will start
I Gaming out at a higher rate of play. This will enable the market to grow
faster."
2). The fear of cannibalization is expressed with the brick and mortar
player staying at home and not visiting the casino. Do you share that
belief? "No. The amenities that Atlantic City has to offer will bring
people to the shore. We have 100 of the best restaurants, world class
shows and spas. And let's not forget the world famous Atlantic City
beach and boardwalk.This will work hand in hand with the marketing
opportunities from I Gaming."
3). Social Gaming is looking to participate in the Atlantic City market.
Zynga is mention prominently. Can these two worlds co-exist?
"We have 12 licenses in New Jersey. It all depends on who partners
with who. It will be very interesting if a social network operator merges
with an existing casino operator."
4).Will the Atlantic City market grow? "Yes. Now that Sandy is behind
us along with the addition of I Gaming the future looks bright for Atlantic
City. I expect the decline that we have seen for the past couple years
will reverse. I can't say when. I do know it's going to happen."
5).How much revenue do you think I Gaming will generate? "I see
the market being in the range of 500 million per year. We plan to be a
player in the market from day one."
6). What influence has Governor Christie had in the movement to revitalize
Atlantic City? "Governor Christie has been supportive of gaming and
tourism in Atlantic City. The ability of the CRDA to reinvest money right
here in AC is tremendous. The creation of the Atlantic City Alliance is
another piece taking us in the right direction."
7) What role will responsible gaming play in an online environment?
"Software will be available to us that can identify behavioral changes
in our players. We will take this very seriously. We will treat this area
the same way we do in our current casino operations."
I want to thank Mr. Rodio for his time and candid answers. I expect big
things from Tropicana.
Follow me on Twitter at @GamingGuyM
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