Boyd Gaming Expands New Jersey Online Gambling Market with Resorts Digital Acquisition

The deal between the two companies was completed on September 1, 2024, as announced by Resorts President Mark Giannantogno. While financial terms of the deal were not disclosed, the acquisition highlights Boyd Gaming’s commitment to strengthening its position in the competitive online gambling industry.

Resorts Digital has already outperformed its land-based casino. In the first eight months of 2024, the online platform earned more than $573 million, while the brick-and-mortar casino brought in just $109 million. Moreover, Resorts Digital’s operating profit grew 5.6% in the first half of the year, while land-based casino profits fell 89%.

Boyd Gaming acquired ResortsCasino.com and MoheganSunCasino.com, as well as an unused online betting license known as a sports betting “skin.” Despite the purchase, Resorts Digital will continue to operate under its existing sports betting and online gambling licenses, while maintaining partnerships with major brands like DraftKings, ESPN BET, and PokerStars.

The acquisition of Resorts Digital is in line with Boyd Gaming’s long-term strategy to expand its online gambling business. Since 2021, the company has been aggressively expanding its digital sector through its Boyd Interactive subsidiary, while simultaneously operating traditional casinos. With its resources and scale, Boyd aims to build on the success Resorts Digital has had over the past decade in New Jersey, which is one of the leading online gambling markets in the United States.

In a statement, Boyd emphasized the importance of the deal, noting that it creates a profitable, integrated online gambling business. The company previously operated in the New Jersey market until it sold its stake in the Borgata casino to MGM Resorts in 2016.

Experts believe that the move is a strategic return for Boyd Gaming to New Jersey, where the company will strengthen its position in the online gambling market, adding to its existing assets, such as Stardust Casino, which operates in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania.

Even with new ownership, Resorts Digital plans to continue to develop its online products, as well as support and promote the Resorts physical casino in Atlantic City. This strategy is aimed at strengthening both sides of the business, which will help it achieve even greater success.