DraftKings Announces It Will Close Live Dealer Studio in New Jersey

DraftKings Casino has made a significant change to its live dealer offerings.

The industry giant will close its live dealer studio inside the Golden Nugget in Atlantic City. The location has hosted the live dealers since 2022 but will now use a third party. While the move will result in the layoff of 101 employees, the new third-party studio will remain in Atlantic City.

The decision marks the end of an era for Golden Nugget, which was the first company to launch a live dealer studio in 2016. The company expanded the studio in 2021 and operated until Golden Nugget Online Gaming was purchased in 2022. DraftKings initially re-launched the studio but decided to reverse course just two years later. 

While the Golden Nugget helped make live dealer games popular, the industry has taken off since then. That has led to competitors like DraftKings from taking over as leaders, gobbling up the Las Vegas-based brand along the way.

There is no official word from DraftKings regarding how the change will affect its casino's live dealer offerings. While they will remain online, many wonder if this move is an attempt to increase its offerings. 

Online Casino Industry Expected to Expand

DraftKings’ decision to overhaul its live dealer program comes as industry expansion rumors swirl. With the majority of states enjoying the financial rewards of legal sports betting markets, some are already considering expanding into online casinos.

Ohio is one of the biggest markets working to legalize the industry. This year, a 2024 bill was introduced to the Senate that would allow retail casinos to offer online platforms. The bill would also allow the state to join the Multi-State Internet Gaming Agreement, which currently includes Delaware, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, and West Virginia.