Atlantic City casino-in-waiting Ocean Resort Casino plans to offer a William Hill-powered sportsbook when it opens to the public next month.
On Thursday, the Press of Atlantic City quoted Bruce Deifik, owner of the Ocean Resort Casino (the casino formerly known as Revel), saying his venue planned to include legal sports betting among its gaming options when the property (re)opens to the public on June 28.
Deifik revealed that his casino had struck a deal with the US division of UK bookmaker William Hill to operate ORC’s new sportsbook. William Hill US already has a sportsbook-in-waiting at New Jersey’s Monmouth Park racetrack, which is set to open the moment Gov. Phil Murphy signs the new sports betting legislation currently making its way through the state Assembly and Senate.
Deifik said ORC’s sportsbook would occupy 7,500-square-feet of the property’s 138k-square-foot gaming floor, and will be centrally located to make sure patrons have no way of missing it. The sportsbook will feature private suites for high-rollers who don’t wish to rub elbows with the hoi polloi during marquee events like the Super Bowl or the NCAA final four tournament.
Atlantic City’s market-leading casino, the MGM Resorts-owned Borgata, went on record this week that it would be taking wagers “as soon as regulatory approvals are in place.” The Borgata is building a new dedicated sportsbook but has temporarily rebranded its race betting facility as The Race & Sports Book.
Unlike OCR, MGM has in-house sportsbook management experience via its properties in Nevada. Ditto for Caesars Entertainment, which runs three AC casino properties.
The Hard Rock Atlantic City, which is also opening June 28, has expressed interest in offering sports betting but has yet to identify a betting partner. However, its online casino technology partner, Gaming Innovation Group, has been itching to develop its nascent sports betting offering.
Similarly, Resorts Casino Hotel has an online partnership with The Stars Group, which has no shortage of sports betting technology on hand, including the recently acquired Sky Betting & Gaming operation.
