Borgata and BetMGM Launch ‘Dual Play Roulette’ for New Jersey iGaming Platforms

Posted on: August 4, 2023, 08:17h. 

Last updated on: August 4, 2023, 10:20h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
Expertise: Asia Pacific Gaming, Commercial Gaming, Legislation, Politics.

Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa in Atlantic City is lending one of its roulette tables to its parent company’s online casino platform, BetMGM, and the resort’s own branded iGaming website and app, Borgata Online Casino.

Borgata BetMGM Dual Play Roulette Atlantic City
The Dual Play Roulette table inside Borgata Atlantic City. The Dual Play Roulette offering allows players online to participate using an actual roulette game in Atlantic City. (Image: Borgata Atlantic City)

MGM Resorts International operates the Borgata, which has led the Atlantic City casino industry in terms of annual gaming income for more than a decade. MGM is a 50-50 partner with Entain in BetMGM, a leading sportsbook and iGaming brand in the U.S.

BetMGM announced this week the launch of “Dual Play Roulette.” The offering allows players at the physical roulette wheel on the Borgata Atlantic City casino floor, as well as players gambling online, to simultaneously participate in the same game.

The offering is in conjunction with Evolution Gaming, a leading provider of remote live dealer table games. Evolution operates live dealer studios from inside the Garden State. The Dual Play Roulette table is the first live dealer online table game to be broadcast directly from the Borgata casino floor.

“Dual Play Roulette truly meets players where they are,” said Oliver Bartlett, BetMGM’s director of online gaming. “This is a great example of online and land-based casinos leveraging technology to bring players a better omnichannel experience.”

Borgata again topped the nine casinos in Atlantic City last year with gross gaming revenue (GGR) of more than $724.4 million. Hard Rock was a distant second at $492.3 million.

Borgata’s online casino operations also outpaced the competition in New Jersey last year. BetMGM and Borgata Online Casino won $496.2 million off iCasino players in 2022. Golden Nugget’s online gaming platform was second at $431.7 million.

Dual Play Gameplay

The designated Dual Play Roulette table inside the Borgata is centrally located on the casino floor. It can’t be missed because of the multiple cameras positioned around the wheel and felt. Those cameras broadcast the table to online players.

In-person players are notified with a small sign explaining that the game is also being played online. The cameras only show the actual table.

Gaming on this table and ambient background sounds of the casino are being broadcast on the internet. Only player’s hands, the roulette betting area, and roulette wheel will be visible during normal roulette play,” the sign explains. “Your presence at this table is deemed as your consent.”

Roulette remains one of the most popular table games in U.S. casinos. Though New Jersey doesn’t break down table game revenue by game, Nevada’s Gaming Control Board does. In 2022, Nevada roulette wheels generated GGR of $455.9 million. That ranked third behind blackjack at $1.29 billion and baccarat at $1.17 billion.

iGaming Infancy

Legal online casino gambling remains limited to just six states. Along with New Jersey, interactive slot machines and table games are regulated in Connecticut, Delaware, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.

Though iGaming platforms generate significant revenue, casino reps say such income isn’t as beneficial to their bottom lines because much of the win is shared with third-party operators like BetMGM. Online casino players also don’t purchase food and drinks, shop, see a show, or stay overnight.

Speaking of overnight, the Borgata in May opened its renovated MGM Tower, formerly The Water Club, following a $55 million update. The MGM Tower features over 700 guest rooms and suites.