Golden Nugget Biloxi Announces DraftKings Sportsbook Opening in January
The Golden Nugget Casino in Biloxi is set to add an enhanced new venue to the list of Mississippi retail sportsbooks, having announced a $1 million sportsbook upgrade in collaboration with DraftKings.
The development marks a shift in the casino’s approach to sports betting. It goes from having just a couple of kiosks in a restaurant area to a dedicated sportsbook with the latest tech and game viewing facilities.
The new facility is set to debut in late January 2024.
“Our team is proud to announce the addition of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi,” said General Manager of Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi Chett Harrison.
“Together with the leadership team at DraftKings, we are creating an amenity that patrons can enjoy while offering sports fans an unparalleled sports betting experience at one of the top entertainment destinations in Mississippi.”
Grand Place to Watch a Game
The forthcoming sportsbook will be located in the area formerly occupied by the casino’s buffet, which has not been operational since it closed during the pandemic.
This space is being transformed into a high-tech sports betting area, featuring a series of LED video walls, VIP and stadium seating arrangements, and an array of betting options. That will include 17 self-serve kiosks and five manned betting windows.
The renovation and development of the new sportsbook area represent a significant investment, estimated at around $1 million.
Plans for the space include state-of-the-art LED screens, claimed to be the largest seamless screen in the Mississippi Gulf Coast area, and approximately 40 lounge chairs for an enhanced viewing experience during major sporting events.
“We are in the process of building that now. It’s going to be a grand place to watch a game,” Harrison said.
Regional Gaming Landscape and Revenue Impact
The Golden Nugget Biloxi Casino is located in Coastal region of the state, which is the most popular for Mississippi casinos.
First opened in 1992, the casino’s gaming floor today has 1,159 slots and 49 table games.
The region’s casinos, including Golden Nugget Biloxi, have collectively generated $1.2 billion in 2023. That’s some $500 million more than venues in Northern and Central Mississippi.
The introduction of the DraftKings Sportsbook is expected to enhance the casino’s appeal in competition with eight other local casinos.
Legal Context and Future Outlook
Mississippi’s current legal framework limits sports betting to within casino premises. However, customers within the DraftKings sportsbook at Golden Nugget Biloxi will be able to access all the same bets, lines, and markets as at DraftKings’ online sportsbook.
Customers will be able to use DraftKings’ mobile betting app to build a wager, and then scan the generated QR code to place a bet at one of the manned or self-service kiosks.
In the meantime, there are ongoing discussions from lawmakers into expanding Mississippi online sports betting.
A task force has been established to provide recommendations on this matter. One study found that around 1.72 million attempts were made to access online sportsbooks for football betting from within Mississippi during the college football season.
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