Hard Rock and GiG to partner for Atlantic City sportsbook launch

Hard Rock International is one of the newest entries to the resort city’s historic boardwalk, opening the doors to its Hard Rock Hotel and Casino Atlantic City on the site of the old Trump Taj Mahal on June 27 of this year, the same date the Ocean Resort Casino commenced its own operations at the former Revel Casino Hotel.

It is however to be one of the latter entries to establish a sportsbook offering, after announcing the signing of a letter of intent alongside Malta headquartered Gaming Innovation Group.

Set to launch an omni-channel sportsbook platform to the New Jersey market, the intention is stipulated to see the agreement executed and a subsequent sportsbook to be up and running before the close of the year.

In its most recent media release, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE) revealed that the state’s sports betting scene continued its upwards ascent for the month of August.

Handle for the region’s sports betting market came in at $95.6m, more than double its previous figure during total operations thus far, across its six casino, two racetrack and one solely digital licensees.

The FanDuel operated Meadowlands Racetrack again leads the way with revenue of $3.06m, a fraction ahead of the DraftKings partnered Resorts Digital ($2.97m).

It was New Jersey’s other betting racetrack Monmouth Park who claimed the next largest slice ($898,017), ahead of the Borgata ($805,000 plus $49,000 online), the first to accept wagers alongside Monmouth Park on June 14, and Ocean Resort ($519,563).

Next in line Harrah’s ($298,521) and Bally’s ($267,796), were joined by the Golden Nugget ($111,800 plus $103,000), and Resorts’ land-based revenue of $98,087, which added to its online offering would have been enough for it to claim that top spot.

The NJDGE is to imminently release its latest set of financial figures, encapsulating the commencement of the National Football League.