Posted on: October 31, 2024, 08:57h.
Last updated on: October 31, 2024, 08:57h.
DraftKings will shut down its live dealer studio in Atlantic City’s Golden Nugget by January.
DraftKings has been offering live dealer table games for online casino players in New Jersey from its Golden Nugget studio since 2022 when it acquired Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG) for $1.56 billion. It was first reported by Next.io, a media publishing firm covering the iGaming industry, that DraftKings has filed a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice with New Jersey’s Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
The WARN filing states that the company intends to close its Golden Nugget iGaming studio in January, leading to the loss of 101 jobs.
“We are providing support to affected employees to ensure a smooth transition for as many as possible,” a DraftKings official told Next.
DraftKings holds licenses for operating online slot machines, table games, and sports betting through its partnership with Resorts. Additionally, DraftKings runs a retail sportsbook at the Boardwalk casino.
Third-Party Transition
DraftKings is not giving up on its interactive table game offerings in New Jersey but is instead moving to a third party.
As we finalize our GNOG integration, effective January 31, 2025, DraftKings will transfer its in-house live dealer operations to third-party studios in Atlantic City. Our live dealer offerings will continue without interruption,” the statement explained.
DraftKings Casino in New Jersey typically offers around 70 live dealer games during non-peak hours and over 100 during evenings and weekends, including blackjack, roulette, baccarat, craps, Sic Bo, and poker.
Although not explicitly stated, DraftKings will likely move its Golden Nugget live dealer operations to Evolution, the top interactive live dealer supplier in the legal iGaming industry. In May, the Swedish gaming tech giant announced a $75 million investment to create an iGaming campus in Atlantic City, distributing interactive table game feeds to its customers.
Evolution currently operates iGaming dealer operations inside Hard Rock, Ocean Casino Resort, and Tropicana. DraftKings already utilizes Evolution for some of its live dealer tables in Connecticut, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.
Evolution is consolidating its Atlantic City operations into a dedicated studio at 2301 Fairmont Ave. The property currently serves as a paved parking lot opposite Angelo’s Fairmount Tavern, an old-school Italian restaurant dating back to 1935.
Live dealer online table games have gained significant popularity in recent years due to their realism, giving players the experience of playing table games in a physical casino. Many online gamblers express greater trust in live dealer games compared to computer-operated games.
Market Leader
According to revenue reports from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, DraftKings dominates the iGaming market.
Through September, DraftKings generated more than $375.9 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR) from remote gamblers in New Jersey in 2024, surpassing FanDuel at $360.4 million.
Total iGaming GGR statewide for the nine months reached $1.73 billion, giving DraftKings a nearly 22% share of New Jersey’s online casino gambling market.