Caesars Entertainment announced a change in leadership at its flagship Atlantic City casino, where the Reno-based company has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in recent years.
Karen Worman has been named senior vice president and general manager of Caesars Atlantic City, the company said Friday in a press release.
Worman is taking over for Joe Lodise, who took a general manager position at Rivers Casino & Resort in Schenectady, New York, earlier this year.
Background on new top exec at Caesars Atlantic City
Worman has been a part of Caesars Entertainment’s Atlantic City regional operations for over a decade. She most recently served as regional vice president of finance for the company’s three Atlantic City casinos — Caesars AC, Harrah’s Resort AC and Tropicana AC.
In her new role, Worman will report directly to John Koster, regional president for Caesars Entertainment’s eastern division. In a prepared statement, Koster highlighted the new executive’s experience and “successful track record” of working with the Atlantic City team.
“Atlantic City is a critical market for us, and this news comes at an incredibly exciting time as we complete our stunning $240 million resort transformation and prepare to open Nobu Hotel. We take great pride in having leaders like Karen who strive to create extraordinary experiences for our guests, the community we serve, and our team members.”
One of one running Atlantic City casinos
Worman is currently the only woman running one of the nine Atlantic City casinos. Not more than three years ago, four of the nine AC casinos were under the direct supervision of a woman.
A little more than a year later, the number was down to zero.
According to the American Gaming Association, the industry’s top lobbying group, women make up 51% of the US casino workforce. The AGA, however, does not keep track of the number of women holding leadership roles in domestic casinos.
Fresh new Caesars AC for new top boss
Worman is taking over a property that is nearly completion of a massive capital reinvestment project. Caesars Entertainment has reportedly spent upwards of $420 million at its three casinos in Atlantic City since 2020.
Of the three, Caesars AC has received the bulk of the reinvestment.
More than 800 hotel rooms and suites have been renovated. The casino floor features fresh carpeting, and the layout has been redesigned to highlight popular slot games. The rooftop pool underwent a multi-million-dollar makeover last summer. A brand-new valet lobby entrance was unveiled earlier this year, a long-overdue update for the nearly 40-year-old property.
Caesars AC is home to the first Gordon Ramsay Hell’s Kitchen on the East Coast. Later this year, the property will open Nobu Hotel Atlantic City to complement its Nobu restaurant which debuted in 2022.
In July, Caesars Entertainment and Spiegelworld formally opened The Hook and Superfrico inside the completely renovated Warner Theatre on the Atlantic City Boardwalk. The Hook, an adults-only variety show, and Superfrico, described as Italian-American psychedelic, comprise the first year-round entertainment residency inside an Atlantic City.
