Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-14(a)/15d-14(a), AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 302 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Robert O. Carr, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this annual report on Form 10-K/A of Heartland Payment Systems, Inc.;

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

Date: July 10, 2009

/s/ Robert O. Carr

Robert O. Carr

Chief Executive Officer