The rumors have been circulating for weeks that Hard Rock Atlantic City would offer NJ sports betting by Super Bowl LIII.
Well, it’s no longer a rumor as the Hard Rock Sportsbook is open for business.
Malta-based Gaming Innovation Group, the company powering the omni-channel Hard Rock sportsbook, confirmed the news via a press release.
From Robin Reed, CEO of GiG:
“This is a milestone for GiG. We have an ambition to make our mark on the highly competitive sports betting vertical and have invested heavily.
“We are now launching our first major operator into a significant market with the possibility of more markets in the US to follow. We have gone from winning the highly competitive tender, to launching a full omni-channel solution in just over half a year.”
Joe Lupo, president of Hard Rock AC, also weighed on the newest addition to the property:
“We couldn’t be more excited to launch our online and on-property sportsbook, providing our guests and players the opportunity to bet on football’s big game this weekend.
“Players will be able to enjoy a full range of bets on the game, as well as all other major sporting events across the calendar, with exciting promotions and events coming soon.”
Big week of NJ sports betting news
While the news of Hard Rock’s on-property sportsbook broke on Wednesday morning, the online sportsbook had it soft launch on Saturday.
GiG, the same company that powers the Hard Rock online casino, has integrated the online sportsbook into the rest of the NJ gambling site. Customers will have access to a shared wallet to use across both platforms.
In terms of sports betting, New Jersey residents and visitors to the Atlantic City property can place bets on a number of sports:
- Football
- Basketball
- Baseball
- Hockey
- Soccer
- College sports (excluding New Jersey-based colleges or games taking place in venues within state lines)
The app is also now available for Android and iOS devices.
From Kresimir Spajic, senior vice president of online gaming at Hard Rock International:
“The launch of the Sportsbook at HardRockSports.com is another milestone on our journey to becoming the most innovative and comprehensive online gaming service for players in the State of New Jersey.
“Sports are integral to New Jersey’s culture and HardRockSports.com provides fans with the best platform to bet on their favorite teams and sporting events.”
Hard Rock makes it eight Atlantic City sportsbooks
Hard Rock is likely the last of the Atlantic City casinos to join the Atlantic City retail sports betting scene.
Of the nine properties, Caesars Atlantic City is the only one without its own on-property sportsbook. But the property located at the center of the Boardwalk is connected to sister property Bally’s Atlantic City (both owned by Caesars Entertainment).
The Book at the Wild Wild West, a temporary space, is accepting bets for the Big Game. Sister property Harrah’s also has a temporary setup in place.
Borgata, which is owned by MGM, recently announced plans for a permanent $11 million sportsbook expected to be open by the summer.
The William Hill Sportsbook at the Tropicana is expected to get a major upgrade. The specific details have yet to be announced.
But now with Hard Rock AC casino in the NJ sports betting game, there is no shortage of betting windows and kiosks on getting in those bets on the New England Patriots and Los Angeles Rams by kickoff on Sunday.
There will be plenty of places to hang out while the game unfolds.