Fanatics Sportsbook officially opened at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, in a star-studded bash hosted by none other than Jay-Z.
The sportsbook has been taking bets from The Gallery at Ocean Casino Resort since Sept. 5, having launched just in time for the start of the football season. But Sunday saw the company mark its latest addition in style.
Jay-Z cut the ribbon at an event that also included Fanatics founder Michael Rubin and world-renowned golfer Justin Thomas.
Thomas was invited to place the first bet in the book: $100 on Alabama to win the college football national championship. Other famous faces in attendance included the likes of Quavo, Jalen Rose, Dez Bryant, and Ryan Clark.
Jay-Z, co-founder of Fanatics Sportsbook, is well known for his links with the gambling industry. In August, the rapper announced his intention to include a sports betting offering at his 40/40 club, as part of a pop-up for Fanatics Fest NYC. And earlier this year, he made an official bid to open his own NYC casino, Caesars Palace Times Square.
VIP experience at The Gallery
The Gallery, which is where Fanatics Sportsbook is now based, is a 12,000-square-foot space featuring betting windows and gaming.
Serving as the centerpiece of the casino, the Gallery is surrounded by 140 feet of LED walls, on which players can keep an eye on all the latest action from the world of sports.
The 100-foot elevated bar and lounge area has seating for 60 players, and includes slot machines and tables. There are self-service betting terminals available throughout the venue, or customers can visit the betting windows to place their bets.
Designed to provide a VIP sportsbook experience, Fanatics Sportsbook will offer legal betting markets for all major sports at the casino. Players will be able to bet on professional and college football, basketball, hockey, baseball, tennis, soccer, golf, MMA, boxing and much more.
“It’s an exciting day in our company’s continuous evolution as we announce the opening of Fanatics Sportsbook at Ocean Casino Resort,” said Ari Borod, chief business officer at Fanatics Betting and Gaming.
“As Fanatics grows its gaming presence in New Jersey, Ocean represents the perfect partner to deliver an elevated retail sports betting experience at the premier hotel in Atlantic City.”
Fanatics continues to expand
Fanatics now has more than 60 physical store locations worldwide. Locations range from in-venue locations at stadiums and arenas, to flagship destinations like the Gallery at Ocean Casino Resort.
The sportsbook also provides a blended, end-to-end e-commerce and brick-and-mortar solution for more than 60 different professional and collegiate programs. These include the likes of stadium team stores and satellite locations, along with university bookstores and stadium trailers.
A new staple for New Jersey players
Bettors in New Jersey can legally place wagers via sportsbook websites, mobile sports betting apps, or in person at retail sportsbooks located within casinos and racetracks.
Currently, New Jersey players have the option to bet at sportsbooks and sports lounges in Atlantic City casinos and also at racetracks at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. Those unable to make the trip can place online bets instead.
Fanatics is now one of the top sportsbooks in New Jersey, having replaced PointsBet in the New Jersey sports betting landscape back in May.
The sportsbook is also well known for its promotions, and its FanCash loyalty scheme which allows players to exchange points collected via wagers for the latest sports merchandise.
