Posted: March 2, 2024, 01:49h.
Last updated: March 2, 2024, 01:49 hours.
New Jersey’s top gaming regulator announced Friday that the state’s Department of Gaming Enforcement (DGE), which it has led for nearly 13 years, will be exiting.
David Riback, 71, will retire with the honor of being the longest-serving director in DGE history. Mr. Levak started his position in early 2012, and he retired after 36 years of service in New Jersey.
“Throughout his career, David Rebak has exemplified professionalism, innovation, and leadership as the gaming industry changes, first with the legalization of internet gaming in 2013, and then with the new era of sports gaming in 2018.” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
Mr. Platkin said Mr. Levak’s extensive knowledge of the gaming and casino industries has helped New Jersey become recognized as a regulatory leader and bellwether in the United States. The Attorney General has appointed DGE Deputy Director Mary Jo Flaherty as interim Director. Mr. Flaherty has been with DGE for over 40 years.
The DGE is the law enforcement agency and investigative arm of New Jersey’s casino regulatory system and is responsible for enforcing the state’s casino control laws.
Tenure includes major changes
Levack, who has led DGE for nearly 13 years, may break his record in the coming decades, but his future tenure is likely to include such major changes and challenges at the agency. Mr. Levack was appointed as his DGE Director by Governor Chris Christie (R) on April 29, 2011 and was sworn into office on January 24, 2012.
Less than two years later, on January 13, 2014, the Atlantic Cub Casino Hotel became the first of the five casinos to close. Claridge Casino Hotel followed a month after him. By September of that year, the Showboat, Rebel, and Trump Plaza casinos had also closed.
The remaining casinos in Atlantic City then challenged their property assessments to reduce their property tax burden. The local city approached bankruptcy, and the Christie government took over state control of the town.
The casino then entered into a pilot program with the state. By paying instead of taxes based on the gross revenue of a game, it helped stabilize the market. Trump Plaza and Rebel reopened in June 2018 as Hard Rock and Ocean Casino, respectively.
The Levak administration further introduced regulatory protocols for the expansion of both retail stores and online sports betting, as well as online casinos. New Jersey has emerged as a gold standard complement to Nevada regarding best regulatory practices for the U.S. commercial gaming industry.
Don’t ask for credit for rebacking.
I have always said that our accomplishments at DGE are not the accomplishments of any one person,” Levak said Friday. “I am honored and grateful to work with the great team at DGE and to serve under two governors and eight attorneys general.”
Mr. Levak’s career with the state began in January 1988 when he joined the office of New Jersey Attorney General W. Cary Edwards as a deputy attorney general.
Future awards planned
Mr. Levak will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award at the 27th East Coast Gaming Congress on April 18th. The event will be held at the Hard Rock.
“As a result of his leadership, the gaming industry has grown and so has New Jersey’s reputation as a jurisdiction that knows how to regulate effectively,” said ECGC co-founder and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Cooper Levenson. said Lloyd D. Levenson, CEO. Levenson is a law firm and namesake of his Institute for Gaming, Hospitality and Tourism at Stockton University.
