Last night, Hollywood turned out in full force for a cause that goes beyond the red carpet. REFORM Alliance hosted its Second Casino Night Gala at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, bringing together some of the biggest names in sports, entertainment, and business.
The black-tie, invite-only affair not only dazzled with celebrity appearances and luxury experiences but also raised over $20 million for criminal justice reform, marking the second consecutive gala to hit that milestone.
The event was hosted by REFORM Alliance co-chairs and founding partners Michael Rubin, Meek Mill, and Shawn “JAY-Z” Carter, with comedic heavyweight Kevin Hart emceeing the evening. Guests arrived to glasses of Armand de Brignac champagne, while D’USSÉ Spicy Sidecars and espresso martinis flowed throughout the night.
The purpose of the event was to transform the nation’s probation and parole system for the 3.7 million people currently under supervision.
Since its founding in 2019, REFORM has already achieved groundbreaking success, passing 22 bipartisan bills across 12 states—legislation that has created opportunities for 850,000 people to get off supervision, find work, and reunite with their families.
From the moment guests entered the casino floor, the energy was unmatched. Attendees included Beyoncé, Travis Scott, Ice Spice, Machine Gun Kelly, Quavo, DJ Khaled, Latto, Cameron Diaz and Benji Madden, Emma Roberts, Jayson Tatum, Devin Booker, Karl-Anthony Towns, Jordyn Woods, Winnie Harlow, Ashley Graham, Odell Beckham Jr., Ice Spice, Micah Parsons, Kevin Hart, and Jamie Foxx.
The evening’s festivities included a blackjack tournament at The Gallery Bar Book & Games, a dinner program highlighting REFORM’s impact, and a live auction featuring once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
Guests bid on standout items such as a round of golf with Tom Brady at Michael Jordan’s exclusive Grove XXIII golf club, which raised $1.8 million across two winning bids; an exclusive Megan Thee Stallion concert that sold for $600,000; a one-of-one George Condo painting purchased by Michael Rubin for $3.4 million; and a one-of-one Rashid Johnson piece that went for $1.8 million. Additional highlights included a limited-edition KAWS x Audemars Piguet watch and a rare Audemars Piguet timepiece made exclusively for JAY-Z, donated from his personal collection.
The highlight of the night came when Grammy Award-winning artist The Weeknd performed a 40-minute set in Ovation Hall. His setlist included global hits like Starboy, Blinding Lights, and The Hills.
As the evening carried into the early hours, surprise sets from Travis Scott, Ice Spice, Quavo, DJ Khaled, and Chase B.
While the glitz of the night was undeniable, the mission remained clear. With less than 0.01% of philanthropic giving in the U.S. directed toward criminal justice reform, REFORM Alliance stands out by ensuring every dollar raised goes directly to impact.
Because the organization’s board covers all administrative costs, 100% of the $20 million generated will support initiatives such as changing unjust laws at the state and federal levels, expanding grassroots operations into more states, hosting job fairs and programs to help people on supervision transition into employment, and backing community-based organizations that provide critical re-entry support.
REFORM Alliance’s Second Casino Night Gala wasn’t just a night of blackjack, champagne, and performances; it was a night that reminded Hollywood of its power to change lives.
Check out images from the evening.
Photo Credit: Arturo Holmes/Dimitrios Kambouris Getty Images for REFORM Alliance
