The gambling empire for Bally’s Corp. continues to grow.
On March 15, the Rhode Island-based gaming operator opened its fifth retail sportsbook with the launch of the FanDuel Sportsbook at Bally’s AC in Atlantic City, just in time for March Madness later this week.
“We are thrilled to be in this market and to give our guests an incredible sportsbook experience, right off the boardwalk and our gaming floor,” said Bally’s president and CEO George Papanier in a statement.
Bally’s has been on a spending spree over the last year, with recent acquisitions including the Eldorado Resort Casino Shreveport, Louisiana; Casino Vicksburg in Mississippi; Casino KC in Missouri; and Bally’s AC. Last week the Nevada Gaming Control Board approved a license for Bally’s takeover of Montbleu Resort and Casino in Lake Tahoe.
The FanDuel Sportsbook is located near the casino’s boardwalk entrance. It features a central 25-foot-wide LED video, five betting windows, and 20 IGT PlaySports self-serve betting kiosks. The sportsbook will also have a curated food and beverage menu with pub-style fare and a self-pour beverage beer dispenser, along with specialty cocktails.
FanDuel is supplying its proprietary risk and trading technology that leverages the IGT PlaySports platform to offer bets on all major U.S. sports.
“The legacy of Atlantic City and excitement of being steps away from the boardwalk creates a unique atmosphere for our customers,” said Andrew Kleiman, Senior Director of Operations for FanDuel Group
Bally’s first partnered with FanDuel last May in Colorado. The company also operates sportsbooks in Rhode Island, Delaware, and Mississippi and this year announced partnerships with the NBA and NHL.
On March 11 in an earnings call, Bally’s announced that revenue for the fourth quarter of 2020 fell 9.4% to $118.1 million from $130.4 million in the fourth quarter of 2019. But Bally’s executives expressed optimism about 2021, noting its roster of recent acquisitions and new partnerships.
