Atlantic City is once again readying a plan to go after the all-important Millennial market. This is not the first time the city has attempted to do so, but previous attempts have been unsuccessful. The new proposal would see Atlantic City building new technological infrastructure that would give the city the capabilities of hosting large eSports tournaments, as well as online video game competitions.
Atlantic City Could Become East Coast eSports Capital
A network solutions company from the UK, called Continent 8, is reportedly close to reaching a deal to invest $5 million in Atlantic City. The investment will see the firm build a 6000-square-foot server farm inside the city’s convention center. Continent 8 is close to reaching a deal with the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority (CRDA). The deal will apparently last for ten years and see Continent 8 pay the CRDA $101 000 a year for the space.
If the deal goes ahead, this new infrastructure could become the backbone for the facility to host massive eSports tournaments. Atlantic City has previously hosted two eSports events, which were both hosted at Caesars Entertainment properties. The first was for Gears of War in 2017, with a Rainbow Six Siege event held in May 2018.
Atlantic City Dedicated to Appeal to Millennials
Casinos are continually trying to find ways of appealing to millennials, but this is proving to be difficult. The generation has very little love for traditional gambling games. Casinos won’t give up though, and the latest eSports plan is proof of that. The Hard Rock Atlantic City is hoping that its focus on entertainment, with hundreds of concerts planned, will help draw in younger visitors.
Some have also gone after so-called ‘skill-based’ casino games. These casino games combine skill and luck, allowing better players to have a better chance of winning. Many believed that these would appeal to millennial gamblers. Caesars Entertainment installed 21 of these games on the casino floor at Harrah’s, but these lasted just six months.
The Showboat in Atlantic City, which doesn’t have a casino at the moment, tried to host millennial-focused expos during the summer of 2017. The expos were supposed to be held every weekend with different themes, such as eSports, anime, video games etc. There were 15 events planned, but it was cancelled after just two weeks, due to poor attendance numbers.
Casinos are certainly dedicated to the millennial market. With sports betting now legalized in New Jersey, we’re sure the city will be eager to welcome more eSports tournaments. Sportsbooks in New Jersey will likely be quick to offer betting options on these video game tournaments.
2024 Latest News: New York Casinos May Lead to Closures in Atlantic City
New York’s plan for three new casinos poses a potential 20-30% loss in revenue for Atlantic City, according to a casino industry panel. While not certain, this decline could lead to the closure of at least one casino, warns Jim Allen from Hard Rock. The impact on Atlantic City’s nine casinos depends on how they respond to the heightened competition. The city, aiming to diversify beyond gambling, faces challenges, but potential opportunities also exist with strategic adaptation. The outcome will significantly influence Atlantic City’s future success in the casino market
Dave Cooper is the Senior Content Manager at CasinoUS.com, leading the creation of informative and engaging content for casino players. Fueled by a fascination for the intricate world of online gaming and a talent for storytelling, Dave holds a journalism degree from UNLV, a perfect launchpad for his illustrious career.