NJ Casino News: Weekly Roundup

Get the latest casino news and updates in New Jersey for this week (August 7, 2021 – August 13, 2021).

Caesars Donates $30,000 to Local Boys & Girls Club

Caesars Entertainment sent a surprise donation of $30,000 to the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City to support their Teen Center and STEAM Lab:

“Thanks to this impact grant, the club will continue to combat learning loss due to COVID, expanding its academic enrichment offerings with board-certified teachers and tutors after school,” Stephanie Koch, CEO of the Boys & Girls Club of Atlantic City, said in a statement Wednesday, “while also building out innovative programming such as our podcast recorded in our very own music studio and hospitality-based training for future jobs at local casinos and restaurants across our 48 blocks.”

DraftKings To Buy Golden Nugget Online for $1.56 Billion

In another major acquisition in the gambling arena, DraftKings agreed to buy Golden Nugget Online Gaming for $1.56 billion. The deal gives DraftKings access to Golden Nugget Online’s 5 million customers:

The high-priced deal is the latest development in the rapid growth of the online gambling world. As more states legalize sports betting as well as online casino games such as poker and blackjack, companies like DraftKings are trying to attract gamblers of all types.

DraftKings, which was trading flat on Monday, is not yet profitable. But the company is growing quickly, with second-quarter revenue surging nearly 300% from a year ago.

Bally’s To Host Benefit Bike Ride

Bally’s Atlantic City will hold a 25-mile bike ride in September to benefit the Helen David Relief Fund, a local program that supports bar industry workers who are battling cancer. The ride will be held Sept. 13, taking cyclists on a route through Ventnor, Margate, Longport, and into Somers Point and Northfield:

Bally’s is working with the USBG National Charity Foundation, an organization aimed at improving the wellbeing and stability of service industry workers, to put on the event.

“It’s great to see the kindness extended by our industry sponsors to host Atlantic City riders from many New Jersey and Northeast restaurants, bars, and casinos for this bike ride,” said Frank Martucci, USBG board president and director of beverage and nightlife for Bally’s Corp. “During these challenging times in our industry, we need to continue to promote health and wellness amongst all of our peers. To get outside and bike along coastal South Jersey surely gives all our riders a great opportunity to relax, exercise and enjoy catching up with fellow industry peers while raising funds for the Helen David Relief Fund at the USBG National Charity Foundation.”

Ocean Helps Raise $9,000 for The Arc of Atlantic City

Ocean Casino Resort began a fundraising initiative that has now raised $9,000 for The Arc of Atlantic City. Through the Change for Change program, gamblers can donate leftover credits from slots and table games to local charities, including The Arc. Ocean workers have also contributed to the cause with internal fundraising efforts:

“Ocean is proud to support The Arc of Atlantic County in its mission to assist Atlantic County residents and their families with services for those with intellectual and developmental disabilities,” Glebocki said. “Through the Change for Change program, as well as fundraising initiatives held by Ocean’s team members in direct support of Ocean Cares, we were able to make donations to The Arc totaling $9,000 to date. We look forward to our continued community partnership with The Arc.”

Hard Rock Donated Their Stage for Counting Crows to Rehearse

Counting Crows recently played at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Atlantic City, and they had a lot of help from the casino for preparation. The Hard Rock housed the band for 10 days and let them use their arena stage daily to rehearse, all for free. This allowed the band to dust off any cobwebs from not having played a show in two years, and it represents the type of relationship the venue says it wants to have with the music industry:

The show was just the first of many big acts that are coming to Hard Rock this fall — a wide variety of groups including Frankie Valli, Kiss, Pitbull, Bill Burr, numerous country acts and, perhaps the biggest, a two-night engagement with Guns N’ Roses.

“We’re excited about the calendar coming up,” [Mike Woodside, vice president of entertainment and marketing services at the Hard Rock] said. “We’re excited to be back in business doing shows again. That’s what we love to do. We love to entertain people. So, we’re really excited about the future.”