Mark Wahlberg has invested in a casino and hotel business in Atlantic City. He's pouring money into a former site that went bankrupt in 2014 and hopes to revive the property with some divine intervention.
According to Page Six, the Hollywood action star brought a priest with him to bless his new venture, the Ocean Resort Casino, last Saturday. Rev. Jon Thomas, who serves the Parish of St. Monica, took a tour of the property, said prayers and blessed the areas with holy water.
Wahlberg reportedly also made a substantial donation to the St. Nicholas of Tolentino Church in exchange for the reverend's blessing.
The actor is a devout Catholic who goes to church at least twice a week.
The casino project reportedly costs around $175 million to rebuild the site formerly known as the Revel Casino Hotel. Ocean Resort Casino will boast of 1,400 hotel rooms, 2,000 slot machines and 100 table games.
The entertainment complex will include another branch of Wahlburgers, the restaurant the actor operates with his brothers. The casino will also have a nightclub called HQ, which can accommodate 1,200 guests.
The actor has partnered with Bruce Deifik in renovating the casino resort. Deifik is a seasoned development industry expert who has built properties in Las Vegas and Colorado. His company, Integrated Properties, bought Revel from its previous owners nearly two years after it closed down.
"The former Revel property opened at a time when Atlantic City was still in economic recovery and operationally it just did not cater to the customer base for this destination," Deifik said in the press release to announce the deal. "However, given the extraordinary quality and investment made during its development, the new 'Ocean' will represent one of the finest hotel, casino properties in existence today in an improving market that has demonstrated strength and resilience," he added.
Ocean Resort Casino will open in June 28.
