Atlantic City sportsbook hosted its official grand opening party.
The Novel at Bally’s, all feet of this, hosted what resembled a Philadelphia Eagles tailgate celebration.
The very first self-serve beer wall of AC, along with cotton candy, Cracker Jack, added.
But this gathering of a few NFL betting fans was not interested at a ribbon-cutting service or speeches.
Kickoff for the Eagles/Washington Redskins match was fast approaching.
The line for the windows expanded to the Middle of the Wild Wild Wild West Casino floor. That is where the temporary distance was set up.
And while each of of the betting activity took place, there was a ceremony that is small nearby. Former Eagles’ Chris Long, Hollis Thomas, and Fred Barnett came running through a giant banner because confetti was fired off.
Kicking off the season in our brand-new Sportsbook pic.twitter.com/4pV6Aria0Y
There was no demand for somebody famous to step up to among the windows that are betting to place $100 bet on the Dallas Cowboys to cover against the New York Giants.
The Novel, one of three permanent spaces that started in June, is much larger than the DraftKings Sportsbook in Resorts (5,000 square feet) and William Hill Sportsbook at Ocean Casino (7,500 square feet), combined.
Long, who won Super Bowl rings with the New England Patriots and Eagles, did pose for pics with lovers.
Stars aside, the management team in Bally’s will be”super excited” about the finished product.
The unused and vacant space is a gathering spot for thousands of soccer betting fans days weekly.
The major attraction is that the 98 foot by 18 ft LED tv wall using surround sound, besides using the massive area.
And it can show up to 16 games simultaneously. Sunday screening experience included:
However, more importantly, the massive sportsbook is an attraction for the months that are slower.
General manager at Bally’s AC, karie Hall, is excited about seeing exactly the new area does for your property.
“We receive more company in. People get an encounter that they did not get. We’re eager to see how well that translates through the autumn and winter months.”??
The NJ sports betting space services sister possessions Bally’s and Caesars customers.
While their various NFL weekend festivities were held by the other properties across town, lovers at Bally’s enjoyed some added perks.
Long, Barnett, and Thomas have been mingling with fans and on land signing autographs.
During Barnett’s playing times, which included 1990-95 with the Eagles, sports gambling was restricted to Nevada. At least formally.
Things have changed.
Barnett stated he is not the betting type. He is not one to shy away from speaking about his group.
A number of the NJ futures markets needed the Eagles regular-season triumph complete at 9.5.
Barnett didn’t take the wager, but he did offer this analysis:
“It’s about everyone staying healthy since I really think they have the tools to move far.”
Will it be simple? Not necessarily.
“I have a tendency to check out everybody else they’re going to play ,” Barnett explained. “So when I look in the team generally, I believe to allow them to be successful they’re going to need to play very hard this season because there are a few very good teams out there which are piled up.”
One of the big ifs is whether opening quarterback Carson Wentz could make it through the season healthy.
His career so far has been sidelined with a torn ACL and fractured vertebrae.
Second-string quarterback Nate Sudfeld is out with a broken wrist. Backup Josh McCown came out of retirement to sign with the Birds.
Obviously, the Big Game is a subject for later in the summer season.
The larger topic for Week 1 was not the 10-point spread would be covered by the Eagles. It was the biggest on the plank.
And coming from flat in the first half produced a quiet vibe across the space that was gigantic. The crowd that had gathered at Bally’s sportsbook on Sunday wasn’t prepared for that start.
Failing to pay the spread is one thing. Cutting to the Redskins at home (20-7 at the half) clearly would not fly with lovers.
The field was taken by A group .
Philadelphia scored 25 points. Suddenly, a game that was looking like the greatest upset of Week 1 was within reach.
The bettors that obtained the Eagles minus the points almost ended up with a ticket.
This was before Redskins’ Trey Quinn captured a four-yard pass six seconds. Eagles 32-27.
One spectator blurted out:”They overcome the spread today.”
The Eagles’ moneyline was a winner.
Next week’s crowd at Bally’s sportsbook will likely be hanging around much after since the Eagles and Atlanta Falcons do not kick off till 8:20 p.m.
Call it to the beginning of much larger strategies that are potential.
“We would like to host a Super Bowl celebration here at The Novel at Bally’s. That would be incredible,” Hall said.
February can not come soon enough.
Bill Gelman is a sports writer located outside Philadelphia and not too much away from the Jersey Shore. Bill spends time in Atlantic City composing about casino openings and expansions, special occasions and world championship boxing at Boardwalk Hall. He’s currently incorporating NJ sports betting and online gambling.
