The Golden Nugget, in Biloxi, Mississippi, recently announced it was bringing in DraftKings to run a newly constructed sportsbook in their location.
Nugget Gets a Sportsbook
It always feels as though something important is missing when a casino doesn’t have a bona fide sportsbook. The folks at the Golden Nugget in Biloxi, Mississippi felt the same way because before their announcement that they were building a brand-new sportsbook and partnering with a national heavy-hitter to run it, the only place to make a bet inside the casino was through kiosks located at Michael Patrick’s, an on-site restaurant.
The site inside the casino where the sportsbook will be located previously housed a buffet. But when the COVID-19 pandemic swept the nation, the buffet was closed and never reopened, allowing an ideal opportunity to build a sportsbook. The casino is spending a reported $1 million on the renovation.
“The Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi is known for providing customers with a luxurious entertainment experience,” said Michael Kibort Sr. Director of Retail Sportsbook Operations at DraftKings. “We look forward to opening the doors to the newest addition to the property with a state-of-the-art retail sportsbook.”
New & Improved
The sportsbook will be equipped with three video walls with state-of-the-art LED screens described as the “largest seamless screen on the Mississippi Gulf Coast.” Cashiers and 17 self-service betting kiosks will also man five betting windows. Stadium seating and a VIP area replete with food and beverage service will also be available.
Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi General Manager Chett Harrison said in a press release:
“Our team is proud to announce the addition of the DraftKings Sportsbook at Golden Nugget Casino Biloxi. 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.”
Popular
The Golden Nugget Biloxi resides in the heart of the Coastal Region where gaming is much more popular than in either the Northern or Central regions. For example, in October the Coastal Regions generated $22 million in revenue, or about 64% of the total gaming revenue for the month in Mississippi.
After that October report was announced, the Coastal Region has now produced $1.2 billion in gaming revenue thus far in 2023 which is roughly $500 million more than the other two regions combined.
Foot traffic is expected to increase at the Golden Nugget not only because of DraftKings’ appeal but even more importantly, retail casinos are the only game in town as the state has yet to approve mobile sports betting.
However, customers are allowed to wager via their mobile devices as long as they are on the grounds of a casino licensed to offer sports betting. The DraftKings Sportsbook is scheduled to open its doors to the public in early January, in time for the NFL playoffs. Until then, the betting kiosks at Michael Patrick’s remain available.
