Caesars Entertainment and Monmouth Park officially unveiled their new trackside sportsbook in Oceanport, New Jersey, marking the latest expansion of the racetrack’s long-running involvement in legal sports wagering. Local officials joined leadership from both organizations for a ribbon-cutting ceremony celebrating the opening of the large-scale venue, which combines modern sports viewing amenities with the historic backdrop of the Monmouth Park Racetrack.
The standalone sportsbook is located adjacent to the racetrack’s clubhouse and spans 16,000 square feet, incorporating both indoor and outdoor viewing areas with sweeping views of the track. Visitors can access wall-to-wall video screens, more than 25 self-service betting kiosks, a dedicated VIP section, and a central bar developed in partnership with Union Square Events. The venue also features an on-site Shake Shack serving its full menu. Pari-mutuel wagering remains available for racing customers.
A New Milestone at the Site of New Jersey’s First Legal Sports Bet
Monmouth Park’s newly opened Caesars Sportsbook represents the latest chapter for a racetrack closely linked to the expansion of regulated sports wagering in New Jersey. Following the repeal of the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA), the property made history in 2018 by accepting the state’s first legal in-person sports bet. The facility operating at that time—then under the William Hill brand—transitioned to Caesars branding in early 2022 after Caesars acquired William Hill’s U.S. assets in 2021.
Caesars Digital Senior Vice President and Chief Development Officer Dan Shapiro emphasized the location’s importance to the state’s sports betting history, stating in the company’s press release, “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.” He added that the company’s investment aligns with ongoing support for racing in the region: “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.”
Monmouth Park’s operator, Darby Development LLC, echoed that sentiment. Chairman and CEO Dennis Drazin said, “We are so proud to partner with Caesars and delighted to offer fans this new state-of-the-art sportsbook. 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.”
The racetrack itself has been a major presence in New Jersey horse racing since opening in 1946. It houses approximately 1,600 horses and hosts the annual Haskell Stakes, a marquee event on the racing calendar.
Expanded Digital and Land-Based Footprint for Caesars in New Jersey
Alongside the new retail sportsbook, Caesars maintains a significant land-based presence in New Jersey through its Atlantic City casino properties: Caesars, Harrah’s, and Tropicana. The company also operates multiple statewide online platforms, including Caesars Sportsbook & Casino, Caesars Palace Online Casino, and Horseshoe Online Casino.
Earlier in the year, the company expanded its online live-casino footprint by launching its second custom live dealer studio—its first located in New Jersey—at Tropicana Atlantic City through a partnership with Evolution. Caesars described the studio as part of broader efforts to blend its digital operations with its established land-based brands.
Sports fans 21 and over can also use the Caesars Sportsbook & Casino app on desktop or mobile devices. The platform provides same-game parlays, player props, futures, live wagering markets, and responsible gaming tools such as Deposit Limits, Spending Limits, Daily Time Limits, and Cool Off Time Limits. Users can stream thousands of sporting events, including NFL games, and access a suite of online casino games from well-known providers as well as Caesars-branded titles.
Caesars highlighted its longstanding commitment to responsible gambling, having launched the industry’s first commercial responsible gaming initiative—Project 21—in 1989. The company maintains a policy restricting gaming access to individuals 21 and older, including participation in Caesars Rewards.
In March 2024, Caesars Sportsbook earned RG Check accreditation from the Responsible Gambling Council in Ontario, recognizing its adherence to advanced responsible gaming standards. Later in the year, it received the National Council on Problem Gambling’s Corporate Social Responsibility award.
Shares in Caesars Entertainment Inc. closed slightly lower at $19.91 on Thursday, November 11, a marginal decline of 0.35 percent.
