Hard Rock Atlantic City Opens Without Sportsbetting

Thursday, June 28th was a big day for Atlantic City – no less than TWO new casino venues will be opening their doors – the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and Ocean Resort Casino, but there will be one very significant difference between the two.

Hard Rock President, Matt Harkness, told The Press of Atlantic City that this venue will not offer sports betting. “We’re not opening with sports betting, but it’s something we’re taking a very hard look at for the future,” he said and added: “Right now, quite frankly, we’re just focused on the opening.”

By a very stark contrast, Ocean Resort Casino, just north and near the legendary Boardwalk, opened their doors at 1 PM yesterday – and they have incorporated sports betting as part of their services, thanks to the partnership formed with legendary bookmakers William Hill.

Hard Rock Hotel & Casino – built and renovated on the site of the former Trump Taj Mahal – has invested more than $500 million into revamping and designing new premises. Michael Pollock of the Spectrum Gaming Groups says that hard Rock's decision not to go live with a sportsbook is good news for other properties in the resort. “I think it’s going to raise a sigh of relief among a number of properties, not just in this neighborhood, but throughout the city. Hard Rock is going to be a contender in any area in which it plants its flag. So, any area in which they elect to not participate, long term or short term, for whatever reason, does present an opportunity for any competing property to gain share in that segment, by definition.”

In the meantime, Ocean Resort is promising to offer “best in class” sportsbook experience in Atlantic City. “Ocean Resort Casino is thrilled to partner with William Hill, the best name in sports betting, to establish a truly unique sports betting experience in the center of our resort and in Atlantic City. From real-time betting to exclusive hospitality for major events, the sports book will be second-to-none,” said Bruce Deifik, Ocean Resort chairman and owner.

This is the first time in this city's history that two major casino resorts have opened on the same day. Governor, Phil Murphy, attended both casino openings and placed a symbolic first sports wager at Ocean Resort, since sports betting has only recently been made legal in the state, following the legal abandonment of the dated PASPA regulation.

Source:

“Hard Rock A.C. will not offer sports betting opening day”, Danzis David, pressofatlanticcity.com, June 26, 2018.