It looks like it will be another first for Atlantic City’s first casino hotel, Resorts.
As reported in the Press of Atlantic City, the casino just announced its plans to open its retail sportsbook on Tuesday. It will be the first gaming operator in the Garden State to have both a retail and mobile sportsbook up and running.
Last week, along with its partner DraftKings, it launched the first mobile sports betting app in New Jersey.
Let the sports betting festivities begin
Resorts president Mark Giannantonio will host the ribbon cutting and ceremonial first sports wager beginning at 11 a.m.
However, there is one major caveat. The sportsbook is still waiting for regulatory approval from the Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).
It seems a little premature to advertise a grand opening without the official go ahead. But it is likely the casino received some indication that approval was near.
Back in June, there was speculation that Resorts designated the internet gaming room on its property the location for the new Resorts Sportsbook.
Sports bettors visiting the new interactive lounge will enjoy:
- A 12-foot video wall
- 15 television screens
- Six betting windows
- Four self-serve betting kiosks.
Resorts has been busy wheeling and dealing
In June, Resorts first big partnership announcement came when it announced a deal with DraftKings for online sports betting. DraftKings is currently the only online sports betting platform in operation in the Garden State.
In July, Resorts announced a partnership with SBTech to provide retail and mobile sports betting solutions for its physical and digital properties. It is important to note, SBTech recently finished its geolocation service integration with GeoComply — an important piece of the DGE approval process.
Then earlier this month, the property announced an expansion to its existing agreement with The Stars Group. Resorts and Stars Group are already in a two-year-old agreement that brought PokerStars NJ and PokerStars Casino to New Jersey.
Under the new deal, BetStars will deploy in NJ as its mobile sports betting platform.
DraftKings and BetStars will operate independently of each other and from the retail sportsbook.
What’s the rush?
Football season, that’s what.
The first regular season game is Sept. 6, between the Atlanta Falcons and the Super Bowl Champion Philadelphia Eagles. That means there are just three weeks left for casinos to get retail and mobile licenses in place and launch operations.
In the first two weeks of New Jersey sports betting, the three live casinos at the time processed more than $16 million in sports bets. That was at a time when the sports calendar was relatively empty.
Knowing that information, it is easy to speculate as to the huge potential for football season.
Currently, there are six retail sportsbooks in New Jersey:
- Monmouth Park
- Borgata
- Ocean Resort Casino
- Meadowlands Racetrack
- Bally’s
- Harrah’s Atlantic City
Resorts ready to dominate sports betting
When Resorts gets its approval, it will make lucky number seven. All of the sportsbooks are busy focusing on customer acquisition ahead of what is likely to be the most active of sports betting seasons.
The faster a casino gets online, the better chance it has to secure a loyal customer base. And a loyal customer base could be the key to the success of a sportsbook.
Resorts partnering with two global leaders, DraftKings and PokerStars, put it in a position to take advantage of brand recognition. Most players gravitate toward brands they know.
Every advantage is vital as Resorts fights for its place in a highly-competitive NJ sports betting market. Being the first casino to have a retail and mobile sports betting operation is just another first in the 40-year-old casino’s history of firsts.