Last week might have been the official start of the year, but let’s face it, the real beginning of the year falls on the Monday after New Year’s.
That is when schedules return to normal after six weeks of holiday parties, the rush to use unused vacation time, and too much family time.
Of course, rolling over into a new decade also gave us time to look back on 2019 and look into our crystal ball and predict which New Jersey online gambling news stories we’ll be writing about in 2020.
What will be the biggest Atlantic City casino story in 2020?
Last year, the biggest Atlantic City casino stories involved revenue, mergers or market saturation. This year will be no different. And, as it happens, the biggest story of the year will include all three.
In July 2019, Eldorado Resorts announced it would acquire Caesars Entertainment for a mere $17.3 billion. The deal was approved by the shareholders of both companies late in the year.
Now, it is up to federal and state regulators to approve the deal. It will be interesting to see how the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement handles the merger giving control of four casinos and deed restrictions on three others to one company.
Other AC casinos stories that made our top-five list:
- Online casinos in NJ will continue to grow, but it will be at retail’s expense.
- Revenue growth will continue to be a story, but it will include more diverse income streams.
- The saturation of the AC casino market and whether there should there be a limit on the number of casinos will continue to be debated.
- And, may we finally get the answers we need regarding the Wire Act and its implications on the NJ online gambling market.
The 2020 NJ sports betting headlines that will capture attention
Even though casino gambling eclipses sports betting in earnings, it is sports betting in New Jersey that is busy stealing the limelight. Expect it to hold on tight to all the attention as we begin a new decade.
Sports betting headlines hit the news at a frantic pace throughout 2019, and we expect much of the same in 2020.
More states will legalize and launch sports betting, and they will look to New Jersey as a model for their regulations.
One market close to home is of interest to NJ sportsbooks, New York. Its lack of mobile sports betting has benefitted New Jersey as New York sports betting fans head across the border to place their bets.
We will be watching closely this year to see if New York can get an online sports betting bill across the finish line.
Other NJ sports betting stories that we’re keeping an eye on are:
- Nevada and New Jersey sports betting will continue to compare handle and revenue with each state fighting to come out on top.
- In December, sports betting produced over $5 billion in handle since launch; can it do it one year?
- In addition to AC casinos, the Eldorado-Caesars merger has plenty of sports betting implications.
- Betting on the Super Bowl is the most popular sporting event of the year, and the numbers will surely be gigantic.
Speaking of sports betting in NJ
Wild Card Weekend is behind us and the divisional playoffs are coming up. Expect a flurry of activity at NJ sportsbooks ahead of this weekend’s matchup.
Also coming up is the college football national championship game between Clemson and LSU on Jan. 13. And on Jan. 18, Conor McGregor and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone meet in the cage in a heated UFC bout.
