“The collective effort of every Atlantic City casino to participate in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk this year underscores our industry’s commitment to this vital cause,” said Michael Sampson, General Manager at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City. “We are proud to support the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and their important work in suicide prevention and mental health awareness.”

Under Sampson’s leadership, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City continues to lead Atlantic City casinos in the Out of the Darkness Community Walk. The team’s ongoing dedication is fueled by personal experiences with loved ones who died by suicide. This year, Sampson and Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City helped to mark their fundraising efforts by raising over $1 million dollars since the walk began.

“Each year, our casinos unite to shine a light on an issue that touches far too many lives,” said Mark Giannantonio, president, Casino Association of New Jersey. “Our ongoing commitment to suicide prevention is about more than just raising funds. It’s about fostering connection, awareness, and support for those who need it most.”

Suicide remains a critical public health concern in the United States. In 2023, more than 49,000 Americans died by suicide, making it the 11th leading cause of death nationwide and the second leading cause of death for people ages 10 to 34. Here in New Jersey, suicide ranks among the top three causes of death for ages 10 to 24.

The AFSP works to educate the public about mental health, empower communities to take action, and provide support to individuals and families affected by suicide. Through a combination of research, advocacy, local programs, and nationwide initiatives, AFSP strives not only to prevent suicide but to foster hope, resilience, and strengthen mental health resources across communities.

“On behalf of our entire organization, we are deeply grateful to the supporters, sponsors, and community members of the Atlantic-Cape Out of the Darkness Community Walk for standing by the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention year after year,” said Robert Gebbia, AFSP Chief Executive Officer. "Since 2018, Hard Rock has shown not only incredible generosity, but a genuine belief in the mission and values that guide our work. Partnerships like this – along with the commitment of all our sponsors - remind us that we are not alone in this work. Because of their continued support, lives are being saved, hope is being restored, and together we are reducing the stigma around mental health and suicide. It is an honor to join forces with these organizations to create lasting change in the community."

About the Casino Association of New Jersey 

The Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) is a trade organization that provides a collective voice for the Atlantic City casino industry by facilitating the exchange of information and ideas between our industry, small businesses, Atlantic City stakeholders and the general public. The CANJ consistently advocates for legislation and initiatives that support the ongoing revitalization of Atlantic City into a world-class destination resort. A thriving casino industry drives economic growth, job creation, increased tax revenue for state and local budgets, and prosperity for city residents, hardworking families and businesses which rely on the casinos for their livelihood. Our goals are simple: protect and grow the tens of thousands of jobs the casino industry supports across New Jersey and continue Atlantic City’s transformation into a world-class destination resort. For additional information, please visit www.casinosnj.org.