Borgata to welcome physical skill-based gaming

A basketball contest will be hosted on 21 March, where players will compete against each other as opposed to the house, as they aim to make free throws for money.

Borgata senior vice president Joe Lupo said: “This is a first step, something we’ve never been able to do until now.

“A year from now, you’ll probably see a lot more of these skill-based tournaments or even games on the casino floor.”

Atlantic City casinos suffered a torrid 2014, with four out of 12 in the city closing for business, while the Trump Taj Mahal was only saved from closure by billionaire and prospective owner Carl Icahn, who paid the necessary $20m to take the venue through bankruptcy proceedings.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has approved the tournament as part of its “New Jersey First” initiative to welcome new products before other states and re-energise the casino industry in Atlantic City.

Other casinos in the city will be able to propose physical skill-based games, but any new game will have to be evaluated by the state.

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David Cook served as an editor and writer for Gambling Insider from 2018 to 2020, where he played a central role in shaping the publication’s editorial direction. He oversaw the creation and implementation of the broader editorial strategy for Gambling Insider and its related publications, managing the production of 30 print magazines annually while also contributing to the management of GamblingInsider.com and a weekly digital newsletter.

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