Jay-Z continues making money moves as he cuts the ribbon at Fanatics‘ first New Jersey sports betting location. According to TMZ, Hov and Micheal Rubin were in The Garden State for the ceremonial event at Ocean Casino Resort on Sunday (Sept. 15). Video footage shows the emcee struggling to make a clean cut on the ribbon while smirking through his blunder with the dull scissors.
Gaming CEO Matt King, Ocean Casino Resort GM Bill Callahan, and a handful of other bigwigs were also in attendance for the sportsbook opening ceremony. The outlet reports that superstar entertainers and athletes such as Ryan Clark, Jalen Rose, Dez Bryant, and Quavo made appearances at the celebration. Golfer Justin Thomas was the first person to place a bet at the sportsbook, putting $100 up on Alabama, betting that they would be the champions of the NCAA’s inaugural 12-team playoff format.
It seems as though Jay-Z’s ventures into the world of sports betting are picking up real momentum—well, at least in New Jersey. In May 2023, the icon pleaded his case to bring a casino to New York City’s Times Square with an open letter. The missive was printed in copies of The New York Post, New York Daily News, and the Amsterdam News.
“A gaming license is going to be awarded to New York City,” the Roc Nation letter read on its Instagram page. “A bill was passed in the state legislature confirming it. The question is: which applicant will get the license? Some conflicted parties have attempted to spread misinformation, so we wanted to speak to you, New York City, directly.”
Hov and Roc-Nation insisted that their new venture would “put the well-being of New Yorkers at the top of their agenda and do right by its residents.”
There haven’t been any updates regarding Jay’s attempt to bring forth a casino to The Big Apple as of September 2024.
Watch the videos of the ribbon-cutting ceremony above.