The 22nd annual East Coast Gaming Congress was held last week at Harrah’s Resort in Atlantic City. Organized by Cooper Levenson, Spectrum Gaming Group, Friedmutter Design Group and Sysco Foods, the conference attracted 600 people to hear a variety of keynote speakers, expert panels, and networking opportunities.
The event coincided with the beginning of sports betting in New Jersey. Governor Phil Murphy signed the bill on Monday and made the first bets at the Monmouth Park facility on Thursday. Later that day, he addressed the ECGC and touched on sports betting and its impact on the state.
“Legal sports betting means that our casinos in Atlantic City can attract new business and new fans, boosting their own long-term financial prospects,” said Murphy. “This law means that sports betting will no longer be the domain for illegal sports books and organized crime, it will now be done in the wide open where it will be carefully regulated and properly overseen.”
Murphy also emphasized his support for Atlantic City and its redevelopment. He cited the upcoming opening of two new casinos, the construction of an Atlantic City campus for Stockton University, new offices for South Jersey Gas and 600 employees, the completion of a large apartment complex and various other business developments now being created.
“Atlantic City is coming back and we’re going to help in any way we can,” he said.
Other highlights included an in depth look at sports betting by SBTech CEO Richard Carter, followed by a panel that included sports betting experts like William Hill’s Joe Asher, Sportradar US Neale Dealey, Worldpay’s Joe Pappano, and Geocomply’s Anna Sainsbury.
A session on game design and the future of the casino floor was moderated by GGB Publisher Roger Gros and included Seth Young from Foxwoods, Miles Arnone from Gamblit, Blaine Graboyes from GameCo, and Seth Schorr from Fifth Street Gaming .
The conference wrapped up with a CEO panel that included the leaders of several operators, including David Cordish from the Cordish Companies, Greg Carlin of Rush Street Gaming, Felix Rappaport from Foxwoods and Holly Gagnon from Seneca Gaming.
