Veteran Casino Exec Tom Pohlman Takes the Reins at Bally’s Atlantic City

Bally’s Atlantic City has appointed veteran casino executive Tom Pohlman as its new president, bringing an experienced Atlantic City manager back into a senior leadership role as the casino’s parent company continues to pursue growth beyond the New Jersey market. Deep History and Tremendous Potential Pohlman, who describes himself as a “hospitality and gaming executive with 28+ years of progressive leadership experience” spanning casino operations, surveillance, and risk management, among others, made the big announcement on Monday, August 17, in a Facebook post. In his post, Pohlamn confirmed that he had accepted the position after spending 15 years in Atlantic City’s Marina District. “I’m happy to announce that after 15 years in Atlantic City’s Marina District, I’ve accepted the role of President of Bally’s Atlantic City. Standing at the legendary intersection of Park Place and the Boardwalk, Bally’s is a property with deep history and tremendous potential.” The veteran executive also expressed his excitement about embarking “on this new chapter,” meeting his “Bally’s family,” and welcoming incredible guests. “The future is bright, and I’m honored to help lead the next era of Bally’s Atlantic City,” Pohlman added. Rich Experience at a Local Level The appointment brings extensive local casino experience to Bally’s. Pohlman most recently served as general manager of Golden Nugget Atlantic City, a position he held until stepping down in May. There, he was responsible for overseeing a 717-room resort with 2,200+ employees along with a complex mix of gaming and non-gaming revenue streams. “I’m known for building high-performing teams, strengthening regulatory and stakeholder relationships, and creating cultures rooted in accountability, service excellence, and operational integrity,” says his LinkedIn profile. His specialties cover casino and hospitality operations, along with P&L leadership, large-scale renovations, labor optimization, and regulatory compliance, among others. At the time of his departure, he was the longest-tenured casino general manager in Atlantic City. His market experience could be particularly valuable as Bally’s works to strengthen its position in Atlantic City while its parent company pursues a broader national expansion strategy. Bally’s has been developing plans to expand its casino footprint in several major US markets, including New York, Chicago and Las Vegas. The company’s growth strategy gives its Atlantic City operation a role within a wider national casino portfolio. For Pohlman, the new position represents a return to one of the city’s established casino properties after more than a decade and a half working in the Marina District. His appointment also comes at a time when Atlantic City remains a major casino destination, with operators competing for visitors in a market that continues to evolve alongside the wider US gaming industry. Pohlman’s long experience in the city gives him familiarity with the local casino market, its workforce and the competitive environment surrounding Atlantic City’s gaming properties. As president, he will now take the helm of Bally’s Atlantic City, bringing his knowledge of the local market to a property backed by a company pursuing expansion in some of the country’s largest casino markets.