Jay-Z, the music mogul and casino owner hopeful, is putting together a friendly game of blackjack for a few friends. Given the high-style crowd he runs with, none should have a problem putting up the $100,000 buy-in the game expects.
The tournament, Reform Alliance’s Casino Night and Gala Event, is being organized by Jay-Z’s charity Reform Alliance, a group that works to “transform probation and parole laws.” Reported by the New York Post’s Page Six gossip column, it will take place at Atlantic City’s Ocean Casino & Resort on September 30.
All proceeds from the event will go to the charity. This includes the buy-in money and the $50,000 those who want to just show up for the party and not play in the tournament have to pay. It doesn’t include the $1-million jackpot, which Ocean Casino is reportedly covering for the winner.
Shaken, Not Stirred
The night will have a James Bond Casino Royale theme, although it’s doubtful the most recent 007, Daniel Craig, will be in attendance. He’s already admitted he can’t play poker, so he might struggle with blackjack, as well.
However, there will be plenty of other A-listers there. Page Six expects, at a minimum, Travis Scott, Megan Thee Stallion, Kim Kardashian, DJ Khaled, Tom Brady, James Harden and Emily Ratajkowski to show up.
Kevin Hart will make an appearance, as well. The Jumanji actor has reportedly signed his name on the dotted line to emcee the festivities.
It’s possible that Robert Kraft, Meek Mill and Michael Rubin will, at the very least, have cameos. All three are on the Reform Alliance board, so they might drop in.
Rubin, the founder and CEO of Fanatics and the former owner of the NBA’s Philadelphia 76ers, has a tight relationship with Jay-Z. In 2021, the two got together for a mobile sports betting license in New York. However, the New York State Gaming Commission denied the application.
The party will reportedly host up to 300 guests between blackjack players and observers. Jay-Z hopes to be able to pick up at least $20 million for Reform Alliance.
There’s no final RSVP list yet, and anyone wanting to attend has to be individually approved by the charity’s board. However, according to Page Six, enough people have passed the test that there’s already $15 million in the pot.
Eyes On Broadway
In the past, New York sports bettors had no choice but to escape to nearby New Jersey (or at least the George Washington Bridge) in order to place a bet. However, with the legalization of sports betting in New York more than a year ago, the state has swiftly transformed into the forefront of the nation’s gambling scene.
It’s even surpassed well-established gambling markets like New Jersey and Pennsylvania. This has helped usher in a new casino initiative in the state, aided by the end of a moratorium that began a decade earlier.
In a collaboration near the close of 2022, real estate firm SL Green, Caesars Entertainment and Jay-Z’s Roc Nation pooled their resources. They seized the moment to bid to put a casino in the heart of Times Square.
The outcome of this alliance, according to the group, would be an unparalleled, cutting-edge casino at 1515 Broadway. The building is currently the home to the theatrical production of The Lion King.
There’s no clear path for the casino – opposition has been strong, and few places are as politically divisive as New York City. In the meantime, Jay-Z and the others will have to focus primarily on their charitable endeavors.
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