Listen to this articleThe basics:
- Monmouth Park unveils its new 16,000 sq. ft. Caesars Sportsbook
- Venue features wall-to-wall video, VIP area, kiosks and Shake Shack
- Leaders highlight Monmouth Park’s role in launching legal NJ sports betting
- Project strengthens partnerships and long-term development at the racetrack
Monmouth Park marked the next step in its evolution last month, as the long-anticipated Caesars Sportsbook celebrated its grand opening at the Oceanport racetrack. The ribbon cutting drew local dignitaries, leaders from Monmouth Park and Caesars Entertainment, and others.
Of course, Monmouth Park has been on the leading edge of legal sports betting here in New Jersey – serving as key advocates during the legal battle that ended with the landmark 2018 decision greenlighting legal wagers in the state. In anticipation of that ruling, Monmouth Park had made an early gamble on a sports betting with the then William Hill Sportsbook.
On June 14 that year, Gov. Phil Murphy placed the first legal bet in New Jersey. That initial sportsbook was a smaller facility attached to the grandstand. It rebranded to Caesars after the gaming giant purchased William Hill in 2022. The new project broke ground in May 2024.
Betting big
The standalone Caesars Sportsbook features 16,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor sports viewing space, including sweeping views of the historic racetrack; wall-to-wall video; more than 25 best-in-class self-service betting kiosks; an expansive center bar; and an exclusive VIP section. The sportsbook, notably, also features a Shake Shack location with its full signature menu.
“We are so proud to partner with Caesars and delighted to offer fans this new state-of-the-art sportsbook,” said Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park Racetrack. “This has been a long time in the making, and it’s satisfying to finally see it come to fruition as we continue the expansion of the Monmouth Park facility as a top entertainment and gaming destination in the state.”
“It’s fitting to open this cutting-edge venue at Monmouth Park, where legal sports betting in New Jersey first launched, and add to its rich history,” said Dan Shapiro, senior vice president and chief development officer at Caesars Digital. “With this investment, we are proud to continue to support horse racing in the Garden State. We expect that the new integrated sports wagering experience will draw new fans from the Jersey Shore and beyond.”
‘A long-awaited project’
During the ribbon-cutting event, Drazin spoke about the partnership between Monmouth Park and Caesars.
“Dan [Shapiro] is not only with Caesars, but he used to be here at Monmouth Park many years ago,” said Drazin. “And Dan has been here with sports betting from the beginning, to work with us in bringing sports betting to New Jersey. This has been a long battle since 2013 and, finally, the Supreme Court gave us sports betting in 2018.
“But Caesars always had the vision of having this building – that we’re standing in now – being the flagship for their sports betting models throughout the country. And I’m proud to be part of the Caesars team in bringing the sportsbook to you.”
Shapiro opened his remarks by joking that he would be brief — noting that Shake Shack was giving out free burgers, fries and chicken sandwiches to the mark the grand opening.
“This is a really exciting day,” said Shapiro. “First of all, this is a long-awaited project. When we first started working with Dennis and his team, we always knew we wanted to do something bigger than we had in the grandstand. And that day really is today – opening this beautiful venue.”
Shapiro noted how he had been reminiscing the day before about when the first legal bet was placed – not far from where the Nov. 20 ribbon cutting was taking place.
“We had about 1,000 people there – and you just feel the energy and enthusiasm of that day, and the pent-up demand for sports betting,” he said. “It was just great to see. This is really the evolution of that experience in this beautiful venue with these TVs and video, and this beautiful VIP area and with a Shake Shack restaurant, is just another really cool amenity to add to this.
“We really think we’ve taken sports betting here to a whole new level and really modernized the experience by integrating a great bar, Shake Shack restaurant, VIP area.”
About that Shake Shack…
He reflected on the groundbreaking last year, when several people went up to Shapiro to say how cool it was that Shake Shack was going in there – as if sports betting was old news.
“But now that we bring the two together – I think it’s really a cool thing. I want to thank our great staff here, both in the sportsbook and the Shake Shack restaurant, as well as all the folks from Darby Development that we’ve been working with all this time. Union Square Events – that team is behind Shake Shack here.”
And Shapiro gave a special thanks to Drazin for being a partner in this project, as well as the horsemen. “It’s not without Dennis and the horsemen’s support – that it’s possible sports betting wouldn’t even be here today, legally, in New Jersey,” said Shapiro. “Through that battle that Dennis mentioned, starting in 2013, and here we are today – seven-and-a-half years removed, and just opening this beautiful venue really speaks to the success and the vision that we had over 10 years ago.”
‘Without sports betting – we’d be closed’
Drazin began his remarks by thanking all of the key stakeholders and leaders for their efforts on this project, including elected officials, such as Oceanport Mayor Thomas Tvrdik and others.
“Oceanport has been a good partner of Monmouth Park. We appreciate their support,” said Drazin. “But I would be remiss if I didn’t thank not only the Caesars team and Dan Shapiro, but certainly the Monmouth Park team has worked so hard to keep Monmouth Park open. And I would tell you, without sports betting – we’d be closed.
“We would have not survived since 2012.”
Drazin continued, “Gov. Phil Murphy and his wife, Tammy Murphy, have been very supportive – and we believe that our new Gov.-elect Mikie Sherrill will continue the support that all of the governors have given us over the years, as well as our Legislature. And, hopefully, we’re on to bigger and better things.
“We intend to make a very serious effort again for expansion of casino gaming, which will be the perfect partner for Monmouth Park, assuming the Legislature passes it, puts it on the ballot next November, and the voters move it forward.”
That last point comes at a key time in the gaming sector here in New Jersey and Atlantic City – following the recent and widely anticipated issuance of three gaming licenses in New York City, with those new casinos set to enter the market in the coming years.
What’s to come
“We’re looking forward to a long, happy future here at Monmouth Park,” said Drazin. “We signed a new, 87-year lease – and we’re doing significant development here at the track, combined with some housing. But mainly youth sports and a hotel, and other things that we’re going to partner with the town in trying to support youth sports in the area.
“The town has some fields across the street at Gatta Park – and we’re going to work together to try to make this a destination, not only for sports, sports betting, gaming, hopefully slots, and, of course, our racing product is something we’re very proud of and continue to focus on that.”
We’re looking forward to a long, happy future here at Monmouth Park.
– Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO, Darby Development LLC
Drazin noted that the outdoor deck, which was not open during that chilly November evening event, will be a great spot to watch races during this upcoming season.
“We’re very proud of the job that everyone did,” said Drazin. “You’re all part of the team – and without our Monmouth Park family and our Caesars family, we couldn’t have accomplished this.”
