It’s never too late to get in on the action.
Tropicana Atlantic City is about to prove that.
More than two months since the last retail sportsbook opened in New Jersey, Tropicana will reportedly open the doors to its operation 11 a.m. Thursday.
Tropicana works at a rapid pace
According to The Associated Press, Tropicana received approval from state regulators to begin its NJ sports betting operations. The earliest possible date, Thursday, will be utilized by the Trop.
Placing its sportsbook in the North Tower casino, as indicated by Tropicana general manager Steve Callender when the casino partnered with bookmaker William Hill US last month, the Trop will also scatter kiosks throughout the property.
Within the past few weeks, Tropicana has come under new ownership (Eldorado Resorts), which quickly partnered with William Hill. That set the stage for the Trop to also bring the British bookmaker into its corner, giving William Hill three partnerships with NJ properties. It also operates under licenses with both Monmouth Park and Ocean Resort Casino.
Last week it was discovered that Tropicana, along with Hard Rock Atlantic City, submitted petitions to acquire transactional waivers in order to offer sports betting. According to NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement records, Tropicana did so within the first two weeks of October.
Who’s still on the outside looking in?
For more than two months, New Jersey settled into its standing as a sports betting leader outside of Nevada. The last retail sportsbooks to open, at Golden Nugget and Resorts Atlantic City, did so in mid-August.
With Tropicana entering the fold, New Jersey will feature nine retail sportsbooks, including seven in Atlantic City. The Garden State also boasts eight mobile sportsbooks that have already surpassed retail in terms of handle and revenue.
Now the Trop will have a chance to get a cut of the action, a month after September featured $184 million in handle and $24 million in revenue. All told, New Jersey has accepted over $336 million in wagers.
Still without a horse in the race, though, are Hard Rock AC and Caesars. As noted, Hard Rock submitted a petition to begin offering sports betting. Caesars, meanwhile, has sportsbooks at both Bally’s and Harrah’s and offers mobile sports betting service via its online casino.
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