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Casino

White Hat Studios Teams up With Online Casino in New Jersey

By Robert Corwin

Aces Playing Cards and a Closeup of a Hand on a Laptop
Online casino fans in New Jersey have a new way to access White House Studios’ products. The iGaming developer announced it has partnered with Tipico Casino in the Garden State. Tipico Casino is just the latest big-named casino that White Hat Gaming has teamed up with in recent weeks.

The partnership will bring a wide array of new online slot games to Tipico Casino. One of the most popular options offered by White Hat Studios is a Deal or No Deal-style slot game. For now, Tipico only has an online casino in NJ. However, the deal will allow for the online casino to use White Hat Studio products in other states as well.

White Hat Gaming, which owns the White Hat Studios, is also partnered with many other online casinos. Recently, the iGaming developer teamed up with FanDuel and BetMGM. White Hat Studio products are currently available in five different US states.

What Is White Hat Studios?

White Hat Studios is the name of the content division of White Hat Gaming. It was created after the company acquired Blueprint Gaming’s catalog last year. The iGaming developer combines products from Blueprint, Reel Time, Lucksom Studios, and Merkur. White Hat Studios believes offering content from a wide range of developers allows them to have a game for everyone.

White Hat Gaming offers many popular branded slot games such as “Ted” and the extremely popular Jackpot Royale. In total, the White Hat Gaming catalog has over 200 online casino games. On top of slots, they offer real money online Scratch, Full House, Megaways, and RNG Table Games.

White Hat Gaming built its library by acquiring content from other developers. According to the iGaming company, they plan to continue this approach in the future. As it sits right now, White Hat Studios produces at least one new game every week.

New Games Coming to Tipico Casino

With a partnership deal in place, Tipico Casino customers will be able to access all of White Hat Gaming’s library. For now, only players in New Jersey can use Tipico Casino. However, the iGaming site does have plans to expand to other states in the future. Currently, Tipico also operates an online sportsbook in Colorado and Iowa.

When Tipico Casino does expand its online casino outside of NJ, it will do so with White Hat Gaming’s library. The agreement allows Tipico to use White Hat Studio games in any states they expand into. This includes the games that have progressive jackpots.

White Hat Studios’ huge library of games should help Tipico Casino expand. The online casino only launched last November and is still working to build a customer base in the Garden State. Tipico is also the exclusive odds provider of Gannett publications and does operate an online sportsbook in NJ.

White Hat Gaming Is Expanding Quickly in the US

White Hat Gaming’s new deal with Tipico Casino is part of its recent expansion into the US market. The iGaming developer’s first US deal was with Golden Nugget Online Gaming at the beginning of March. Since then, the UK-based company has partnered with six other developers.

In less than two months, White Hat Gaming already has deals with many well-known online casinos. Included in its recent deals are the likes of BetMGM, PokerStars, and the Mohegan Sun Casino. On top of its massive iGaming library, White Hat Gaming also offers certain casino exclusive content.

Part of the expansion plans for White Hat Gaming have including branching out to new states. In just six weeks, the iGaming developer has already secured deals in five states. Players in West Virginia, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Michigan, and Connecticut can all access the UK-based developers’ library.

Conclusion

Tipico Casino is going to receive a huge boost to its gaming catalog. The online casino announced it has reached a deal with White Hat Gaming’s content division, White Hat Studios. Tipico will play an important part in White Hat Gaming’s expansion into the US. New Jersey will be the fifth state the iGaming developer has launched in this year.

White Hat Gaming has an iGaming library that has over 200 real money games. The company built its massive selection by acquiring multiple other well-known online casino game developers. Now, White Hat Studio combines the massive selection under one roof.

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Atlantic City, Casino

The Debate Over Atlantic City’s Smoking Ban Rages On

By James Murray

Atlantic City Smoking Ban Question Marks

Officials within New Jersey’s Gaming Commission are stuck between a rock and a hard place. More groups have been calling for an outright ban on smoking inside the state’s casinos. Gaming executives are pushing against this move, claiming it will lead to major revenue declines. The debate over Atlantic City’s smoking ban appears far from over.

There are convincing arguments being made on both sides of the spectrum. Today, we’ll take a close look at which way state regulators appear to be leaning.

Let’s get into it!

Various Groups Continue to Debate Atlantic City’s Smoking Ban

For years, Atlantic City has been the largest and most profitable casino hub on the East Coast. The casinos here have seen their ups and downs over the years and are now coming off their best-ever year in 2021. Nothing is perfect, however, and many in the city have begun pushing hard for an outright ban on smoking inside casinos.

This is not something new for Atlantic City. Many attempts to prohibit smoking inside the city’s casinos have been made over the years. An outright ban on this activity has not taken place due primarily to the efforts of casino executives and their lobbyists. Historically speaking, banning smoking leads to a decline in tourism and revenue inside casinos.

Various groups continue to debate the pros and cons of Atlantic City’s smoking ban. The Greater Atlantic City Chamber recently stated that calls to ban smoking inside casinos should be dropped. Michael Chait, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber, have his opinion on this situation to the media this week.

“As we mark two years into the COVID-19 pandemic, the Greater Atlantic City region continues to feel the adverse economic impact from this unprecedented health crisis. As our community struggles to rebuild and recover, our priority must be to support and maintain a favorable economic environment for local businesses and employees. We must be focused on maintaining stability in the market, preserving and creating jobs, and supporting the local community during these uncertain times.”

Many city officials have already voiced their disapproval with the Greater Chamber’s statements. Stay tuned for more information on this ongoing debate as the year continues.

New Jersey Casinos Brace for Possible Revenue Declines

Casino companies around the US learned just how much of a difference one year can make between 2020 and 2021. Throughout 2020, the entire US casino industry appeared on the brink of collapse due to shutdowns and low tourism rates. Things completely turned around in 2021 and many of the country’s top gambling hubs reported record-breaking revenue figures.

Analysts have been torn as to how the US casino industry will perform throughout 2021. Some suggested an even more successful year than 2021. Some are now casting doubt on that idea and feel casinos are in for yet another difficult twelve months or more.

Rising inflation rates have contributed to this theory. Gas prices and other rising costs are leading many around the US to save money rather than risk it inside a casino. This situation does not appear to be improving, leading some to believe inflation will continue to rise.

Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has complicated matters, as well. This has led to further drops in the US economy and has even stoked fears of a major global conflict breaking out. Concerns like these cause fear amongst investors and impact the stock market.

These issues, along with Atlantic City’s smoking ban being considered, could take a major toll on the casinos in New Jersey. Gaming executives are already preparing for the worst. Hope is that things improve quickly and the world’s economy beings to rise once again.

Sports Betting Revenue Figures are Still Looking Good

The brick-and-mortar casino industry remains somewhat fragile. It has become clear that different world events can have a massive impact on how casinos fare. The US sports betting industry continues to expand rapidly, however, with no real signs of slowing down.

This is primarily true with online sports betting. More states around the country recognize that online sportsbooks are far more popular and lucrative than retail sportsbooks. Revenue reports for January have been surfacing that show much money various state sports betting industries are bringing in right now.

That includes revenue reports in Illinois. This state launched its first sportsbooks in 2020 and has developed one of the largest betting industries in the country. The sportsbooks here managed to bring in $66.2 million in gross gaming revenue, representing a large increase from December of 2021.

New York’s first online sportsbooks finally launched in January. In their first 30 days of operating, these sportsbooks managed to bring in $70 million in tax revenue. That is a huge accomplishment and set a new all-time monthly revenue record for the industry.

What do you think of Atlantic City’s smoking ban debate? Should the casinos here prohibit smoking? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Atlantic City, Casino

Official Push to Begin Atlantic City Casino Upgrades

By James Murray

Atlantic City And New York City Casino Gambling Background

For many years, Atlantic City has been home to the most successful casino industry on the East Coast. The growing gambling industry in New York threatens that status, though. This situation has led many executives to push for Atlantic City casino upgrades to begin.

Atlantic City remains a very popular gambling hub and officials here want things to remain that way. Now is a great time to look at some of the casino improvements that could take place here soon.

Let’s get into it!

Executives Call for Atlantic City Casino Upgrades

The casino industry in New Jersey was forced decades ago. Atlantic City grew quickly, drawing in a huge number of residents from neighboring states to its popular casinos. The success of the state’s casino industry has fluctuated over the past few decades and is coming off its best-ever year in 2021.

Lawmakers in New York have begun pushing hard to allow new forms of gambling over the last few years. The first online sportsbooks went live in this state in early January. They broke an all-time monthly handle record in that first month of operating and many officials in New York are now pushing to allow new casinos, too.

This has led more executives in New Jersey to push for Atlantic City casino upgrades. City officials also want to see general infrastructure improved as a way to draw in more tourists. That includes Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small, who spoke about the necessary city improvements to the media this week.

“We need to see some funding from the state and some real planning from the city,” Small said. “The streets need to be paved. There needs to be more light. There needs to be more police on the streets.”

Many of the casinos here have been undergoing renovations over the past two years. Most experts predict more of these renovation projects to be announced over the course of 2022. Stay tuned for more updates on these projects as the year goes on.

More Officials Call to See a Casino in New York City

Up until fairly recently, New York was considered a largely anti-gambling state. State officials worked to prohibit basic forms of gambling for decades. A law was passed in 2013 to allow commercial casinos in the state and the first regulated sportsbooks arrived here in 2019.

New York lawmakers are working hard to generate more tax revenue right now. Allowing more regulated gambling options is a great way to achieve that goal. Growing the state’s casino industry, in particular, is a priority for many lawmakers.

A growing number of state officials now support a casino in New York City, too. There are currently no Class III gambling venues in the city. Many casino operators were quick to express interest in opening the first casino in the Big Apple.

Many steps would need to be taken in order for casino plans like these to gain approval. That includes approval from voters in the state. Support for these plans is increasing, though, leading many to believe that construction on this NYC casino could begin before the end of 2022.

Gambling revenue figures are being released around the country for the month of February. Below is a quick look at how much money different states have brought in last month.

Breaking Down the Latest US Gambling Revenue Reports

The entire US gambling industry managed to thrive over the course of 2021. That came as a slight surprise to some, as 2020 was the worst year in history for this industry. Analysts are now torn as to how 2022 will be for this industry.

The pandemic seemingly becoming under control seemed to indicate that things would continue to improve for various gambling operators around the country. Russia’s invasion of Ukraine has once again led to drops in the US stock market. This is an ongoing situation with potentially major implications for the US economy, depending on how things play out.

February still proved to be a solid month for many state gaming industries. Over in New York, online sportsbooks managed to bring in $91.7 million in gross gaming revenue. A total of $1.54 billion was wagered through these online sportsbooks over the month.

West Virginia is one of the only other states to already release gaming revenue reports for February. Betting handle in February came out to $222,235,429 here. This marks a more than 15% increase from January and an even larger year-on-year increase.

Officials want to see Atlantic City casino upgrades this year. Do you think New York’s growing gambling industry will affect the one in New Jersey? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Atlantic City, Casino

Casino Executive Reveals New Borgata Casino Renovations

By James Murray

Borgata Hotel Casino Background With Travis Lunn

Atlantic City’s casino industry continues to report impressive revenue figures. As a result, the gaming executives here are working hard to improve their properties and bring in more tourists. That includes Travis Lunn, who spoke about some of the new Borgata Casino renovations being planned.

The Borgata is one of the most popular casinos in Atlantic City. The owners of this property certainly have some exciting plans for the future.

Here’s what you need to know about this situation.

Travis Lunn Discusses New Borgata Casino Renovations

New Jersey is still home to the most successful gambling industry on the US East Coast. All of the casinos in this state are located in Atlantic City. This popular casino hub has experienced many ups and downs over the years and is coming off its best-ever year in 2021.

Most of the casino executives in the city are preparing for an even more successful 2022. Tourism into Atlantic City has been steadily increasing over the last two months. Many of the tourists here are heading to Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, long-considered the best gambling venue in the city.

Travis Lunn is stepping into his role of President and COO of this casino. He spoke to the media about his role this week. Lunn recognizes that competition in the city’s casino industry is increasing. He also revealed some exciting new Borgata Casino renovations that should help this casino remain the most successful in Atlantic City.

“I think that’s a healthy thing for us, for the greater overall Atlantic City,” said Lunn. “A rising tide carries all ships; I’m a believer in that. This destination could use some reinvestment, and so to see Hard Rock come in and reinvest, and Ocean reinvest in their product, is something I’d leverage… I already have $10 million that I intend on spending on the slot floor to update the product that we have available. Our guests come in looking for a certain gaming experience, and we currently don’t offer some of the product that our competitors offer.”

Lunn wants to renovate many of Borgata’s rooms and give them new, modern amenities. These are the types of moves that should help this property remain a popular and successful casino. We’ll be sure to offer updates on these renovations over the next few months.

Is New York Set to Overtake New Jersey’s Sports Betting Industry?

Up until recently, New York was not considered as a real gambling destination. Lawmakers here prevented many forms of gambling for decades. Commercial casinos were made legal about ten years ago and sports betting arrived in this state in 2019.

The sports betting industry in New York failed to impress in its first few years of operating. This was largely due to the fact that only retail sportsbooks were allowed to operate in the state. Online sportsbooks finally went live here in January of 2022 and have quickly turned New York into the sports betting capital of the United States.

In their first 30 days of operating, these online sportsbooks saw more than $2 billion in total handle. That represents the largest 30-day handle figure in the history of the US sports betting industry. This news is not exactly exciting for officials in New Jersey.

New York’s sports betting industry is now competing with the one in New Jersey. New York residents no longer need to make the trip across the state border to bet on their favorite sports online. This is leading to lower-than-usual revenue figures for the online sportsbooks in New Jersey.

There is no doubt that New Jersey still has the most successful casino industry in the Northeastern United States. It wants to stay that way and the new Borgata casino renovations will likely help. The state’s casino hub status may not last for long if certain New York lawmakers get their wish.

Calls to Open a New York City Casino Increase in 2022

The entire gambling industry in New York has been expanding over the last ten years. Lawmakers here have become aware of how much tax revenue is brought in from regulated sportsbooks and casinos. Residents have also been calling for more legal gambling options to become available.

All of the casinos in this state are currently situated in the Upstate area. Attempts to get a true Class III casino opened in New York City have been struck down in the past. Things are changing, however, and more are calling for a NYC casino to open now than ever before.

Several companies have shown interest in operating a casino in New York City. Hard Rock International is one such company. This Florida-based casino operator has been expanding rapidly over the years and recently took control of The Mirage on the Las Vegas Strip.

Lawmakers will need to come up with several amendments in order to allow a casino in New York City. That will take time. Support for legal gaming options is growing, though, leading some to believe this NYC casino could open within the next few years.

Are you excited to hear about the new Borgata casino renovations? How will New York’s growing gambling industry affect the one in New Jersey? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Casino, New York

Hard Rock International Proposes Three NYC Casino Location Ideas

By James Murray

Hard Rock Hotel Casino New York Background

The calls to open a major casino in New York City have only intensified over the last couple of years. Various casino companies are interested in operating this proposed casino, including Hard Rock International. New reports have just surfaced claiming Hard Rock International has been proposing three NYC casino location ideas to state leaders.

Location has proven to be a major source of debate for this casino. Officials want to ensure it is opened in an area that residents are happy with. Unfortunately, Hard Rock International is not yet ready to reveal where it may open a casino in the city to the public.

Here’s what you need to know.

Hard Rock International Now has Three NYC Casino Location Ideas

New York’s lawmakers approved a measure to allow commercial casinos in the state back in 2013. Several of these casinos have since opened in the state, all of which are located in the Upstate area. The casinos here have struggled to generate much revenue, largely due to their far distance from New York City.

Officials in New York are beginning to embrace the gambling industry. Online sports betting formally went live here last month. Many in the state are now pushing hard to get a major casino-resort opened in New York City.

Hard Rock International is one casino operator that appears interested in seeing a casino opened in New York City. This week, the company announced that it has three NYC casino location ideas in the works. Company executives are unwilling to reveal these locations, yet told the media they are planning to invest $2 billion on a casino in the Big Apple.

Hard Rock International CEO Jim Allen claims that the company’s new hotel in New York City is simply not large enough to host a casino at any point in the future.

“You have to have a footprint of real estate large enough to take advantage of the size of the market,” he said. “We’re extremely proud of our hotel on 48th Street, but its footprint is just not large enough for gaming. As far as other locations, really we’re waiting on the governor and the committee that’s going to be sending out the request for proposals to see what language is in the bill as to geographic locations that would be acceptable to the state.”

It’s unclear where exactly this casino might open its doors. We’ll be sure to provide updates on these possible location ideas throughout the next year.

New Jersey May be Working to Expand its Casino Industry

For decades, New Jersey has been one of the premier gambling destinations in the United States. Atlantic City is home to a huge number of casinos and helps to draw in millions of tourists every year. This state’s gaming industry has recently been dealing with an increase in competition, though.

New York is beginning to seriously compete with some of the gaming options in New Jersey. The launch of online sportsbooks in the state has led some to claim that New York is now the sports betting capital of the United States. These mobile sportsbooks will almost certainly take away from the revenue earned at New Jersey’s online sportsbooks.

Lawmakers in New York are also interested in expanding the state’s casino industry. Several NYC casino location ideas are being presented. There is reason to believe that this casino would quickly become one of the most successful ones in the country.

Officials in New Jersey are responding with casino expansion plans of their own. Certain state officials are pushing to get a casino opened in Meadowlands. In order for this to happen, voters would need to approve a state constitutional amendment allowing for a casino to open in areas other than Atlantic City.

The entire Northeastern US is developing a large and successful casino industry. New York City is not the only major metropolitan city that is expected to welcome a major casino soon.

Lori Lightfoot is Expected to Reveal the Chicago Casino Location Soon

Illinois is far ahead of states like New York in its casino expansion plans. Lawmakers here approved a Capital Plan all the way back in 2019 that allows for six new casinos to open in the state. The most notable part of this plan was that it allowed for a casino-resort to open in Chicago.

It’s been years since this Capital Plan was approved and very little progress getting the Chicago casino opened has been made. City officials have come up with many delays in getting any approval for this venue. Its location has been a major source of debate over the last few years.

Some have been pushing for this casino to be opened in McCormick Place, a massive convention center in the city. Others were quick to push against this idea.

Lori Lightfoot continues to tell the media that an official location for this Chicago casino will be announced soon. Hope is that this announcement comes within the next month. That could allow for construction to begin this spring and perhaps the casino to open its doors in 2023.

Three NYC casino location ideas have already been presented. Where do you think a casino should open its doors in the Big Apple? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Casino, New York

Officials Discuss Possible Locations for a NYC Casino

By James Murray

New York City Gambling Background

Casino fans in New York City may soon receive some exciting news. Various lawmakers across New York are beginning to show support for the opening of a Class III gambling venue in the Big Apple. The focus is now finding suitable locations for a NYC casino.

Many feel that it is only a matter of time before a casino opens its doors in this city. Now is a great time to talk about some of the latest updates surrounding this property.

Here’s what you need to know!

Breaking Down the Possible Locations for a NYC Casino

New York’s days as a largely anti-gambling state are officially over. For years, lawmakers in this state have been working hard to expand the number of legal gambling options available. Both casino gambling and sports betting are widely available throughout the state.

A law was approved in New York back in 2013 to allow six commercial casinos to open in the state. Today, all of the casinos here are located in the Upstate area. These casinos have struggled to generate much revenue over the years and many have been pushing for a casino to finally open its doors in New York City.

The calls to open one of these properties have been intensifying in recent years. Various officials are now debating the best possible locations for a NYC casino. Certain areas of the city seem more likely to welcome one of these properties than others.

Times Square is one possible location. Hard Rock Hotel New York is opening in this area of the city in April. The Hudson Yards area is another possible location to host a casino in the Big Apple. Senator Brad Hoylman spoke to the media about this situation earlier this week.

“My concern, representing Manhattan and Times Square is the neighborhoods which would be adjacent to any proposed casino and the impact. Casinos can have negative externalities, to put it mildly,” Hoylman said. “I oppose them strongly and generally have done so in the Legislature. When it is in my Senate district, it is even a greater concern.”

It will likely be years before construction on a casino in New York City will begin. We’ll be sure to offer updates on the location of this proposed casino over the next few months.

New York is Now the Country’s Sports Betting Capital

Millions of gambling fans are excited to hear that a casino could soon be opening its doors in New York City. Nothing has been made official, yet. In the meantime, lawmakers continue to focus on the state’s rapidly-growing sports betting industry.

The first retail sportsbooks launched in New York back in 2019. These were only available inside the aforementioned casinos located in the Upstate area. As a result, millions would flock to nearby New Jersey, where online sports betting is legal and regulated.

This past December, New York gave final approval for online sportsbooks to launch. In just their first three weeks of operating, these properties saw more than $1 billion in wagers flow in. That marks the most successful opening month for an online sports betting industry in US history.

Super Bowl LVI is just around the corner. New York will experience a massive surge of tax revenue flowing in from bets on this game. Many expect these revenue figures to come out higher than what the legal sportsbooks in New Jersey will bring in.

New York’s entire gambling industry continues to expand. Nearby New Jersey is expecting its casinos to thrive this year. Let’s take a quick look at how Atlantic City might fare in 2022.

Atlantic City’s Casinos Brace for Revenue Surges

Atlantic City has been one of the world’s most profitable casino destinations for many years. The casinos here experienced periods of struggle over the last couple of decades. Aside from the mass casino shutdowns it experienced in 2020, this city has thrived over the last decade.

2021 was a fantastic year for Atlantic City’s casino industry. Tourism rates increased throughout the year and several of the casinos here underwent major renovations. Casino executives here are now focused on growth throughout 2022.

Tourism into Atlantic City will likely surge throughout the spring and summer. Of course, some wonder if New York’s growing casino industry will end up taking away from the one in New Jersey. This is all but a guarantee if a casino opens its doors in New York City.

New York’s online sportsbooks are already taking away from the revenue earned at sportsbooks in New Jersey. New Yorkers no longer need to cross into New Jersey’s border to make bets on their favorite teams and players. Stay tuned for revenue reports on New Jersey’s gaming industry throughout 2022.

Officials continue looking at locations for a NYC casino. Do you expect this to happen this year? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Atlantic City, Casino

Calls to Prohibit Smoking Inside New Jersey Casinos Increase

By James Murray

Atlantic City Casino Background No Smoking

New Jersey is home to one of the largest and most successful casino industries in the United States. In recent years, various state officials have looked at mandating new health regulations inside Atlantic City’s casinos. Calls to prohibit smoking inside New Jersey casinos, in particular, are increasing as of late.

A huge number of casino workers support this move. Various officials within the state’s gambling industry continue to push against this outright ban.

Here’s what you need to know.

More Groups Push to Prohibit Smoking Inside New Jersey Casinos

The casino industry in New Jersey has been up and running for many decades. This city has experienced tremendous ups and downs over the years. It has bounced back from the events that began to unfold in 2020 and experienced huge surges in sports betting and casino revenue throughout 2021.

The pandemic began to shift how many lawmakers in New Jersey viewed the casino industry in Atlantic City. The casinos here were shut down for months in 2020. They eventually reopened, yet many voiced concerns about the dangers posed to workers inside these venues.

The push to prohibit smoking inside New Jersey casinos has only intensified over the last year. New reports surfaced this week claiming that a bipartisan group of lawmakers is working toward this goal. They are showing support for a new bill that would outright ban smoking inside gambling venues.

Not everyone is pleased to see this development. Banning smoking often leads to tourism declines into casinos. Joe Lupo, president of the association and of the Hard Rock casino, spoke to the media about this situation earlier this week.

“Banning smoking completely and permanently would have long-term financial implications for the industry and the region, placing Atlantic City casinos at a competitive disadvantage with Pennsylvania casinos where smoking is permitted,” Lupo said. “A decline in our customer base would also cause economic hardship to a large portion of the 20,000 employees who rely on the tips and customer volume that our industry provides.”

It remains to be seen if this bill will gain more support as the year goes on. Stay tuned for updates over the next couple of months!

Is New York Damaging the Gaming Industry in New Jersey?

New Jersey has been considered the biggest gambling hub in the Eastern US for many years. Some wonder how long this will last, though. Many states in the Northeastern US have been expanding their gaming industries in recent years that are looking to compete with the one in New Jersey.

New York has been expanding its gaming options considerably over the last decade. Commercial casinos were allowed to begin operating here in 2013. In 2019, the first regulated sportsbooks formally went live in the state, as well.

Until recently, however, New York’s gambling industry left a lot to be desired. Nearly all of the casinos here are located far away from New York City. The same applied to land-based sportsbooks. Lawmakers finally gave the green light for mobile sportsbooks to go live in New York last month. It may not be long before a casino opens in New York City, too.

Many feel that New York is beginning to truly compete with the gambling industry in New Jersey. Millions of New Yorkers no longer need to move across the border into New Jersey to make sports bets online. This will likely result in major revenue drops for New Jersey’s sportsbooks.

That isn’t stopping the casino companies in New Jersey from expanding. Many are undergoing major renovations right now. We’ll be sure to report more on the increasingly-competitive Northeastern gambling industry as the year continues.

How Will Las Vegas Fare in 2022?

A huge amount of attention has been put on Atlantic City’s casino industry in recent months. Analysts remain curious to see how the push to prohibit smoking insie New Jersey casinos moves forward. Don’t expect to see something like this appearing in Las Vegas.

2021 proved to be a very successful year for the casino industry in Las Vegas. Tourism rates surged throughout the year and revenue figures remained high. All signs point to 2022 being an even better year for the casino industry in this city.

A few of the casinos in Las Vegas have banned smoking over the years. This almost immediately led to major revenue losses for these properties. As a result, it seems unlikely that any city-wide ban on smoking inside casinos will be implemented.

Some exciting changes are coming to the world’s largest gambling hub. Experts predict that online casino gambling will be made legal here in the near future. Various casino executives now support this change.

The push to prohibit smoking inside New Jersey casinos continues. Do you expect this latest measure to get approved in 2022? Let us know in the comments section below.

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Atlantic City, Sports Betting

Here’s What We Know About the New Sportsbook at Ocean Casino

By James Murray

Ocean Resort Casino Atlantic City Sports Betting Venue

Atlantic City is home to some of the country’s most popular casinos. This East Coast gambling hub is also home to a huge number of sportsbooks that draw in millions of bets every year. Today, we’ll talk about some of the details surrounding the new sportsbook at Ocean Casino opening later this year.

This property has improved massively over the last few years. Its new sportsbook is likely to draw in a huge number of tourists in 2022.

Here’s what you need to know!

The New Sportsbook at Ocean Casino is Opening This Summer

Atlantic City has been considered one of the United States’ top gambling destinations for decades. A huge number of popular gambling venues are spread around the country. That includes Ocean Casino Resort, which opened back in 2018 after being rebranded from the Revel Casino.

This property initially struggled to bring in tourists. Its location in the northern area of the Boardwalk has been notoriously slow. Things have turned around here in recent years and this venue is now one of the most popular gambling venues in the city.

It has now been confirmed that a new sportsbook at Ocean Casino will be opening this summer. This is being built as part of a larger $4 million entertainment venue inside the casino. Bill Callahan, Ocean’s interim CEO, spoke to the media about this situation earlier this week.

“As Ocean continues to strengthen its position within Atlantic City, we are steadfastly dedicated to property growth and development,” Callahan said. “We are excited by the new venue’s central location and the ability to advance our product with an innovative experience for our guests to enjoy.”

New Jersey is still home to the largest and most successful sports betting industry in the country. Here’s a look at how the sportsbooks here may fare over 2022.

Will New Jersey’s Sportsbooks Continue to Thrive in 2022?

New Jersey was one of the states responsible for getting the US Supreme Court to remove PASPA in 2018. Shortly after its removal, New Jersey allowed for regulated sportsbooks to go live. Today, New Jersey is home to the largest and most successful sports betting industries in the United States.

The state’s sportsbooks found tremendous success throughout 2021. They managed to set several monthly revenue records and brought in a huge amount of tax revenue for New Jersey. Some are beginning to question if this state’s sports betting platforms will have another successful year in 2022.

Not long ago, New York allowed for its first online sportsbooks to go live. Millions of residents signed up to these betting platforms in their first few days of going live. There is reason to believe these new sportsbooks will take away from some of the revenue previously being earned in New Jersey.

A huge number of New Yorkers would regularly make the trip across the border into New Jersey to make sports bets online. With online sportsbooks now available, this is no longer necessary. That means New York may quickly develop a sports betting industry that competes with the one in New Jersey.

Gambling operators in New Jersey are doing everything they can to bring in more bettors. The new sportsbook at Ocean Casino may help. Stay tuned for more information on how this state’s sportsbooks are doing over the next twelve months.

US Gambling Revenue Surged Over December

2021 was a hugely successful year for the entire gambling industry. Certain states managed to fare better than others with their regulated gaming options. This past December proved to be a very successful month for nearly every gambling destination around the country.

Massachusetts has developed a large and successful casino industry, with three Class III gambling venues up and running. Last December, the casinos here brought in $95.65 million in gross gaming revenue. Encore Boston Harbor was the most successful casino, bringing in $62.4 million in GGR.

Pennsylvania is also home to a huge number of popular casinos. It also allows online casinos to legally operate. The state’s internet casino platforms brought in $127.6 million in revenue over the month, surpassing the previous record of $117 million set last October.

New Jersey and Nevada posted impressive casino revenue figures over December. The casinos in these states are now preparing for a surge of tourism in the coming months. Las Vegas, in particular, expects a hugely successful summer in 2022.

Are you excited to see the new sportsbook at Ocean Casino? Will New York’s online sportsbooks take revenue away from the ones in New Jersey? Let us know in the comments section below!

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Maryland, Sports Betting

Five Casinos in Maryland Receive Sportsbook Licenses

By James Murray

Maryland State Seal With Casinos Background

The push to get land-based sportsbooks in Maryland continues. This week, five casinos in Maryland were officially given sportsbook licenses. It’s one of the final steps necessary for retail sports betting options to finally go live in the state.

Lawmakers here are determined to get this state’s sports betting industry up and running. It appears this is closer to reality now than ever before. Now is a great time to talk about what still needs to be done for land-based sportsbooks to go live here.

Let’s get into it!

Officials Grant Sportsbook Licenses to Five Casinos in Maryland

Maryland is home to a small, yet successful gambling industry. Six casinos are spread around the state. These properties are hugely popular with residents and help to bring the state a large amount of tax revenue every month.

Maryland’s voters approved a measure to legalize land-based and online sports betting back in November of 2020. Unfortunately, the state’s gaming commission has been slow to come up with specific rules to monitor this industry. Some real progress has been made in recent weeks, though.

Five casinos in Maryland have just been awarded sports betting licenses. The Sports Wagering Application Review Commission approved this move by a 5-2 margin. Maryland Live!, MGM National Harbor, Horseshoe Casino, Hollywood Casino, and Ocean Downs Casino have all gained one of these licenses.

The gaming commission now needs to independently review each of the plans to run these sportsbooks. Seth Elkin, Assistant Director of Communications for Public Affairs with Maryland Lottery and Gaming, revealed that this review process will take somewhere between 30 to 45 days. Land-based sportsbooks may launch in the state shortly afterward.

It’s an exciting time for Maryland’s gambling industry. Reports just surfaced that show how much casino revenue was brought in last month. Here’s a quick breakdown of these reports.

Maryland’s Casinos See Slight Month-On-Month Revenue Dip

Maryland has been slowly expanding its gambling industry over the past decade. 2021 has proven to be one of the best years in history for the state’s casinos. All have seen impressive revenue figures this year.

Reports on Maryland’s casino revenue over October have just surfaced. Some were surprised to see that casino revenue took a slight dip when compared to September. When compared to October of 2020, however, revenue increased by 8%.

Certain casinos fared better than others during October. Live! Casino and Hotel proved to be the most successful casino over the month. This property managed to bring in $60.8 million, representing an incredible 22.7% year-on-year increase.

MGM National Harbor, another popular casino in the state, brought in $55.9 million in October. That represents a decrease of 1.2% from October of last year. All of the other casinos here experienced slight revenue drops, too.

Gambling revenue in Maryland is expected to increase as the year goes on. That is particularly true now that five casinos in Maryland have just received sportsbook licenses. Stay tuned for more updates on this state’s gambling industry as the year goes on.

New Jersey’s Sports Betting Industry Smashed Records in October

The state of New Jersey is well-known for having the most successful sports betting industry in the country. Since launching in 2018, revenue from this industry has been consistently increasing. NJ’s Sports betting industry broke all-time records this past October.

More than $1.3 billion was wagered on sports over the month of October. That is a large increase from the previous record at just over $1 billion. The majority of sports bets in the state were placed on the NFL and MLB seasons.

Most analysts expect to see sports betting revenue increasing as the year goes on. November may prove to be the biggest month of the year for this industry. It remains to be seen if 2022 will be as successful of a year for the state’s sports gambling operations.

New York appears to be on the brink of legalizing online sports betting. This could end up taking away from much of New Jersey’s sports betting revenue. Stay tuned for more information on the launch of NY’s online sportsbooks as the months go on.

Five casinos in Maryland will soon launch sportsbooks. Do you think these sportsbooks will be successful? Let us know in the comment section below.

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Atlantic City, Casino

Here’s What We Know About the Atlantic City Casino Thefts

By James Murray

Atlantic City Casinos With Check And Handcuffs

Atlantic City remains one of the biggest and best gambling hubs in the United States. Occasionally, these gaming venues draw attention from criminals. New reports surfaced this week that provide more information on the Atlantic City casino thefts that took place over the summer.

The casino companies operating in Atlantic City have dealt with a lot over the past year. Now is a great time to talk about the recent thefts that took place at some of the casinos here.

Let’s get into it!

More Details on the Atlantic City Casino Thefts have Just Surfaced

There has been a huge amount of attention placed on Atlantic City’s casino industry over the past nine months. To the surprise of some analysts, the gambling venues here experienced a massive comeback from the events that unfolded in 2020. Gambling revenue has been increasing here and tourism into the city remains high.

Not everything goes perfect for these casinos, though. Over the summer, reports surfaced that a group of individuals had attempted to steal a large amount of money from several of the casinos here. This week, more details on the recent Atlantic City casino thefts were released to the public.

Five individuals have now been charged with trying to steal an astounding $1.1 million from the casinos here. Prosecutors claim these individuals passed fraudulent checks in their attempt to take this money. Suspicions were raised in late August and it didn’t take long for casino officials to recognize the crimes being committed. Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew Bruck commented on this situation to the media this week.

“The defendants were caught executing a sophisticated financial scheme spanning multiple casinos and over a million dollars in fraudulent checks,” Bruck said. “This case is just one example of the excellent work — in this instance across international borders — performed by the members of the New Jersey State Police and Division of Criminal Justice who are assigned to investigate and prosecute crimes in the casinos.”

All five of the defendants involved in this case face serious charges. If convicted, they each face up to 10 years in prison. We’ll be sure to offer more updates on this situation over the next few months.

Sports Betting Revenue Continues to Surge in New Jersey

New Jersey is widely credited with being one of the states responsible for having PASPA removed. Officials here quickly approved sports betting legislation following PASPA’s removal in mid-2018. Since that time, New Jersey has developed the largest and most successful sports betting industry in the United States.

Sports betting revenue has been surging in this state through most of 2021. Things took a slight dip over the month of August. As many predicted, however, September proved to be one of the most successful months in history for the sports betting industry here.

Over the month of September, the sportsbooks here saw more than $1 billion wagered. Of that handle, $82 million was kept by sportsbooks. Those are outstanding figures for this industry that prove that sports betting continues to grow more popular every year.

Casino revenue is up in the city, as well. In-person casino revenue is up 30% when compared to September of 2020. $248.5 million was brought in from the state’s casinos. $122.5 million was brought in through the state’s online casino platforms.

Just about everyone involved with Atlantic City’s gaming industry is happy right now. Hope is that the upward trend continues through the rest of 2021. Stay tuned for more reports on the revenue figures here as the year continues.

More States Report Gambling Revenue Increases

Atlantic City has been the most profitable gambling hub on the East Coast for decades. This city is beginning to experience more competition from neighboring areas, though. Several states in the Northeastern US have recently begun to expand their gambling laws and are working to bring in more tax revenue from casinos and sportsbooks.

Massachusetts is one of those states. Casinos have been operating here for nearly a decade. There are now three casino-resorts in the state, all of which help to bring the state large amounts of tax revenue each month.

Reports came out today claiming Massachusetts’ casino revenue hit a three-month high over July, August, and September. The month of July proved to be the most successful, as the casinos here brought in more than $95 million. August came next at $92 million. September saw just a slight step down as the casinos managed to bring in $89 million.

New York’s lawmakers continue debating whether or not a Class III casino should receive permission to open in New York City. Many claim it will help to boost tax revenue and tourism. Others worry it will lead to gambling addiction and other social issues within the city. More information on this proposed casino is expected to come out shortly.

Are you surprised to hear about the Atlantic City casino thefts? Which state is best suited to compete with Atlantic City’s casino industry? Let us know in the comments section below.