Jack Entertainment


Jack Entertainment LLC is a gaming, hospitality, and entertainment corporation based in Detroit, Michigan. The company owns and operates casinos and hotels in Michigan and Ohio, and owns a stake of properties in Kentucky and Maryland. Jack Entertainment operates as a subsidiary of Rock Ventures LLC.

History

Rock Gaming (2009–2016)

Jack Entertainment, originally Rock Gaming LLC, was founded in 2009 by seven businessmen led by Dan Gilbert, who serves as chairman of its board. The company formed as the seven men backed the Ohio Casino Approval and Tax Distribution Amendment, which was ultimately approved by voters in November 2009.
In early 2013, the company acquired the Greektown Casino-Hotel in Detroit.
In April 2015, the Ohio Casino Control Commission approved a request by the company to be licensed as a management company.

Rock Ohio Caesars (2010–2015)

In December 2010, in partnership with Caesars Entertainment Corporation, the company formed Rock Ohio Caesars LLC to open and operate casinos in Cleveland and Cincinnati. Caesars held a 20% stake in Rock Ohio Caesars and managed the company's properties.
In May 2012, Rock Ohio Caesars opened Ohio's first casino, Horseshoe Casino Cleveland.
In April 2013, Rock Ohio Caesars opened the state's fourth commercial casino, Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati. That same month, the company also began expanding the Cleveland-area thoroughbred horse racing track, ThistleDown, to include a casino, making it a racino.
On August 26, 2014, the Horseshoe Casino Baltimore opened. The casino was developed in partnership by Rock Gaming, Caesars, and local investors.
On February 26, 2015, Rock Gaming acquired Caesars's stake in Rock Ohio Caesars. As a result, the company now had complete ownership of the Horseshoe casinos in Cleveland and Cincinnati, ThistleDown, the Ritz-Carlton Cleveland, the Higbee Building, and a controlling interest in Turfway Park.
On November 2, 2015, the Rock Gaming announced it would begin assuming management of Horseshoe Casino Cleveland, Horseshoe Casino Cincinnati, and ThistleDown Racino from Caesars Entertainment Corporation, and complete the transition by June 2016.

Jack Entertainment (2016–present)

On February 23, 2016, the company announced it was changing its name from Rock Gaming to Jack Entertainment. Throughout 2016, the company would also be rebranding its casinos under the Jack name. The company stated it planned to spend $40 million on the rebranding. It also introduced a new customer loyalty program, ClubJack.
In September 2018, it was reported that Gilbert was looking to sell Jack Entertainment and leave the casino business; Caesars was named as a possible buyer. Two months later, Jack agreed to sell the Greektown casino to Vici Properties and Penn National Gaming for a total of $1 billion.
In 2019, Jack Entertainment sold its Cincinnati casino for $745 million to Vici and Hard Rock International. Later that year, Jack sold Turfway Park to Churchill Downs, Inc. for $36 million. The company also agreed to sell its Cleveland casino and the Thistledown racino to Vici in a leaseback deal, with Jack receiving $843 million for the real estate and paying $66 million in annual rent.

Properties

Former properties