Ocean Resort Casino, which is due to open on the same day as Hard Rock AC, has set the NJ sports betting scene alight with news that it will be partnering with William Hill to operate “the best sportsbook in town” to quote Joe Asher, CEO of William Hill.
So let’s get a sense of what this means for the competition. Who is William Hill and how significant are they are national players?
William Hill has a 57% market share of the sportsbook business in Nevada. In 2012, their name became synonymous with success when they managed to merge three different sportsbooks. Currently, they run 108 of 190 sportsbooks in Nevada with betting being placed at land-based casinos and online. Additionally, they are board members of the American Gambling Association making them well placed, solid partners of influence.
This will be the first time that the William Hill company has a partnership in Atlantic City, and as Joe Asher said “We are very excited to be part of Ocean Resort Casino, and to have a presence on the Atlantic City boardwalk”
Not much is currently known about the Ocean Resort Casino’s sportsbook. The space occupied will be 7500 square feet and sit side-by-side the world’s biggest Topgolf SwingSuite which comprises 11 different virtual golf suites.
What we can be sure of, is that this Ocean Resort will be as stylish and unique as the brand. Models of the development indicate that space will have an uninterrupted view of the Atlantic Ocean from beautiful social spaces.
Ron Powers, president of Topgolf Swing Suite has assured the public that their installation at Ocean View AC will be unprecedented, and unlike anything was currently seen in the entertainment industry.
Meanwhile, HardRock AC is yet to reveal who will be operating its land-based sportsbook. Gaming Innovation Group has been known for some time to be their online partners. 28 June is going to be a big day for gamers in New Jersey either way!
This month not only sees the opening of Ocean Resort and Hard Rock on the same day; but the addition of legalized sports betting ups the ante.
With NJ sports betting regulations still not being finalized, the soonest casinos can look forward to offering bets might not be until 7th June, or even a little later than this, depending on how quickly the lawmakers can finalize their stipulations to the industry.
