The Borgata casino in Atlantic City launched what could be a new era of skill-based casino games last week with a promotional basketball free-throw contest. A reported 1,022 contestants paid a entry fee to shoot basketballs into hoops vying for a total of more than ,000 in prizes.
Pennsylvania first-grade teacher Al Callejas took home the first prize of $10,200.
The basketball contest followed a call from New Jersey regulators for casinos to introduce skill-based games to appeal to a younger demographic. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement issued a statement last year that skill-based casino games will be considered and approved in an effort to create new players among younger casino guests who do not generally like to play slot machines.
“It’s really all about the demographic,” said Borgata Operations VP Joe Lupo in an interview with Reuters. The contest drew attendants from all across the country.
