The newly opened Ocean Resort Casino of Atlantic City has launched its online casino site via a platform powered by GAN, an iGaming solutions provider based in London.
GAN has launched the Ocean Resort Casino’s real money online gaming site as well as a simulated gaming social casino. Ocean Resort just opened for business on June 28, and the online gaming options are part of an agreement signed between the two companies earlier in the year.
Online and on-site gaming experiences
With the technology provided by GAN, visitors to the Ocean Resort Online Casino will be able to enjoy online and on-site gaming experiences. The loyalty program of the casino, known as Ocean Premier, is connected to the iGaming site. Those who sign up for a new player account via the Ocean Resort Casino can link their existing Ocean Premier rewards card to their online account. Guests can then earn reward points with online gameplay and use the points for on-site spending. Points can also be earned on-site and used to boost the cash available for online gaming.
Players are excited to give the online casino a try, as can be seen via the Ocean Resort Casino Facebook page. The brand announced that the site was coming soon just two days ago on the social media site and players have been commenting on how they are ready to give the brand a try and how excited they are that the loyalty program is connected for more reward earnings.
According to reports, the site launched on Tuesday evening and will be limited in hours of operation through the weekend. The limited hours most likely signify a soft launch for the site, with full hours of operation to begin possibly by next week. Currently on offer for visitors are a small selection of games, including slots, table games, and video poker. In the future, the site will be offering sports betting, subject to the customary commercial and regulatory approvals.
Commenting on the launch, Ocean Resort Casino CEO Frank Leone said: “GAN delivered efficiently and cost-effectively for Ocean Resort Casino and possesses a strategic patent which will give Ocean Resort Casino a competitive advantage with casino guests in Atlantic City who also choose to gamble online. Furthermore, GAN’s proven platform, ‘dual-mode’ Simulated Gaming, as well as real money internet gaming and track record of client success in the New Jersey market, are among the many reasons we chose GAN to bring Ocean Resort Casino online in 2018.”
Joining a large market
The Ocean Resorts Casino online offering joins an already large iGaming market. The state of New Jersey has seven online operators with 16 individual online casinos in operation. Under the Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa brand, there are five online casinos in operation, while the Caesars Interactive Entertainment license supports three online casinos.
The Golden Nugget Atlantic City, the most successful online gaming license holder in the state, has three online casinos in operation, while the Resorts Casino Hotel has two. Rounding out the list is the Tropicana Casino and Resort with two online casinos and, of course, the new kids on the block, the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino and the Ocean Resort Casino.
As the two new casinos were preparing to launch online offerings, gaming analysts worried that the market was already saturated and that two new additions would create a more crowded market. The state is averaging just over $21m (£16m) per month in revenues during the first few months of operation this year. The top operating brands are the Golden Nugget and Betfair, with the Golden Nugget continuing to earn around $8m (£6m) each month in revenues.
When the Ocean Resorts Casino and the Hard Rock have offered their online gaming services for a full month and beyond, it will be interesting to see how they contribute to the overall iGaming revenues for New Jersey. Once the Division of Gaming Enforcement releases revenue reports with the two online casinos included, we will have a better picture of how the market will function with the two additions. Will monthly revenues go up or will the pie be sliced just a little bit differently?
