New Jersey governor expands casinos capacity ahead of Super Bowl weekend

Indoor entertainment and recreation establishments, including casinos, will also be affected by the executive order.

The rules go into effect at 8 a.m. Friday. “We believe that we can make this expansion without leading to undue stress or further stress on our health care system,” Murphy said.

According to the Press of Atlantic City, Murphy’s action comes a day after a request from the Atlantic County Board of Commissioners to Murphy, supporting pleas from Atlantic City Council, to expand indoor dining capacity in advance of Super Bowl LV in Tampa.

Casino and sports betting operators have worried capacity limitations could soften Super Bowl wagering in retail sportsbooks.

The American Gaming Association issued a report Tuesday that predicted 23.2 million Americans plan to bet on the game, a decline of 12% from last year’s levels.

The AGA survey also forecasted a record 7.6 million Americans betting with online sportsbooks, up 63% from last year. It’s unclear, however, how many will bet with legally regulated sportsbooks or illegal offshore sites that the AGA and the gaming industry have been trying to eliminate through legal sports betting expansion.

The AGA’s research said 1.4 million Americans will place a Super Bowl bet at a sportsbook, which is down 61%.

“I suspect the increase in digital betting on the Super Bowl will overcome the reduction in retail, due to properties having less foot traffic because of COVID,” said Jason Scott, vice president of trading for BetMGM which operates sports betting in 12 states, including 10 with mobile sports wagering. “I’m expecting a net increase in regulated handle in general.”

Despite state-mandated restrictions due to COVID-19, New Jersey’s sports betting handle was the most in the U.S. last year.

According to VSiN Sports Network, New Jersey’s handle was $6 billion in 2020, breaking the record set by Nevada in 2019 of $5.3 billion. In December 2019, the total handle in New Jersey was $996.2 million, with $929.3 million wagered through mobile sports betting apps.

Michael Chait, president of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, told the newspaper that the governor’s executive order is welcome.

“With COVID-19 positivity rates trending down and the number of vaccines trending up, we’re heading in the right direction,” Chait said. “I think it’s progress. Lifting the 10 p.m. curfew is a big deal for the restaurants, bars, and casinos. With them being able to serve late at night, they can have more offerings."