New 60,000-square-foot live dealer facility receives initial state authorization as Atlantic City's online gambling industry continues expanding.
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A major new gaming operation at Atlantic City's Showboat Resort has received approval from New Jersey regulators, clearing the way for a live dealer studio that could eventually employ approximately 1,200 people and further expand the resort's growing online gambling industry.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement approved Evolution's new live dealer facility on October 27, with the decision becoming public November 9.
The approximately 60,000-square-foot operation occupies space on the second floor of Showboat, the former casino hotel that has been transformed into an entertainment destination featuring an indoor water park, arcade and other attractions.
Unlike a traditional casino, the Evolution facility will not offer gambling directly to visitors walking into Showboat.
Instead, professional dealers will conduct casino games in specially equipped studios while cameras transmit the action to customers playing remotely through licensed online gambling platforms.
The project represents another significant investment in Atlantic City's gaming industry, although the initial regulatory approval covers only a small portion of the facility's planned capacity.
It also comes as Showboat owner Bart Blatstein faces an ongoing legal dispute involving mortgage debt and foreclosure proceedings.
Facility Designed for 186 Gaming Tables
According to the Division of Gaming Enforcement's approval order, Evolution's new facility is designed to accommodate three studios, six game rooms and as many as 186 gaming tables.
However, the October 27 authorization initially permits operations at just seven specified tables in one studio and one game room.
Additional tables and gaming areas will require further regulatory authorization before they can begin operating.
The distinction is important because the approval does not mean the entire 186-table facility is immediately operational.
The phased opening will allow Evolution to begin using the new space while continuing to meet regulatory requirements for future expansion.
Evolution is one of the world's largest providers of live dealer gaming technology, offering products that allow online casino customers to participate in games conducted by real dealers.
Its offerings include blackjack, roulette, baccarat and other casino-style games.
Players watch the dealers through live video feeds and place wagers electronically through licensed online casino websites or applications.
The arrangement combines elements of a traditional casino experience with the convenience of online gambling.
Project Could Eventually Employ 1,200 Workers
One of the most significant aspects of the Showboat project is its potential employment impact.
Blatstein previously estimated that the new facility could eventually employ approximately 1,200 people.
Evolution North America CEO Jacob Claesson also indicated that staffing could reach roughly that level as the operation expands.
The projected jobs would support a variety of positions, including live dealers, studio personnel, technical workers and operational staff.
Live dealer studios require employees to manage games, maintain broadcasting equipment, monitor operations and support the technology that connects the studio to online customers.
The operation could provide additional year-round employment opportunities in Atlantic City, where the local economy has historically depended heavily on tourism and hospitality.
However, the 1,200-job figure remains a projection.
The number of employees currently hired for the Showboat facility has not been independently confirmed, and the final employment total will depend on the pace and scale of Evolution's expansion.
Evolution Previously Proposed a Larger Atlantic City Facility
The Showboat operation represents a change from Evolution's earlier plans for Atlantic City.
The company originally proposed constructing a $75 million, 130,000-square-foot live dealer studio on Fairmount Avenue.
That project was expected to significantly expand Evolution's presence in the city.
The company subsequently shifted its plans to the existing Showboat property, selecting approximately 60,000 square feet of space rather than proceeding with the larger proposed development.
Using an existing building allows Evolution to establish operations without waiting for construction of an entirely new facility.
The move also provides Showboat with a major commercial tenant as the property continues evolving beyond its former casino operations.
Evolution already has live dealer operations associated with other Atlantic City casino properties, including Tropicana, Hard Rock and Ocean Casino Resort.
The Showboat facility adds another location to that network.
Showboat's Financial Troubles Add Complication
The expansion comes at a challenging time for Showboat and its owner.
Blatstein is involved in a foreclosure dispute concerning a mortgage associated with the property.
According to reporting by The Philadelphia Inquirer, the lawsuit involves allegations of default on a $48.5 million mortgage.
Showboat has disputed aspects of the allegations and has maintained that the resort continues operating.
The legal dispute has drawn attention because of the substantial investments Blatstein has made in transforming the former casino property into a family-oriented entertainment destination.
Showboat is home to the Island Waterpark, billed as one of the largest indoor beachfront water parks in the country, along with the Lucky Snake Arcade and other attractions.
The property has also faced complications involving public financial assistance.
New Jersey previously terminated a $4.2 million grant after outstanding liens were not resolved by a required deadline.
The financial dispute has not prevented Evolution from receiving initial regulatory authorization for its new studio.
However, the Division of Gaming Enforcement specifically addressed the foreclosure situation in its approval.
The regulator required Evolution to notify the state immediately if developments in the foreclosure proceedings threaten the company's lease or its ability to occupy the Showboat facility.
That condition reflects the importance of ensuring that licensed gaming operations can continue functioning within an approved and secure location.
Attorneys representing Blatstein reportedly told a court that he had arranged a new $20 million loan intended to help resolve the debt dispute.
Whether that financing has been finalized or the foreclosure proceedings have been resolved has not been independently confirmed.
Online Gambling Has Become a Major Part of Atlantic City's Economy
Evolution's expansion comes as online gambling continues to account for a growing share of New Jersey's gaming revenue.
In 2025, New Jersey's online casino industry generated approximately $2.91 billion in revenue, narrowly exceeding the approximately $2.89 billion generated by slot machines and table games at Atlantic City's nine physical casinos.
The milestone demonstrated how dramatically the state's gaming industry has changed since internet casino gambling was legalized in 2013.
Online gambling revenue continued growing during 2026, with industry figures showing an increase of approximately 13% through September compared with the same period last year.
The growth has created new opportunities for companies providing gaming software, streaming technology and live dealer services.
Evolution's business model is built around providing those services to licensed online casino operators.
Although the customers participate remotely, the live dealer games are conducted by employees working in physical studios.
That arrangement creates a direct connection between the digital gambling industry and jobs in Atlantic City.
The online casino revenue figures also require an important distinction.
Revenue reported by online casino operators is not equivalent to the amount retained by Atlantic City's traditional casino properties after payments to technology providers and other partners.
Nevertheless, the industry's continued growth helps explain why Evolution is investing in additional studio capacity.
A Different Kind of Gaming Investment for Showboat
Showboat operated as a traditional casino until closing in 2014.
Since acquiring the property, Blatstein has pursued a different business model, emphasizing entertainment, attractions and noncasino activities.
The addition of Evolution's studio does not mean Showboat is reopening as a conventional casino.
Visitors will not be able to walk into the studio and place wagers at the live dealer tables.
Instead, the facility will function as a regulated production and gaming operation serving customers through online casino platforms.
For Showboat, the project represents an opportunity to use a substantial amount of existing commercial space while attracting a major gaming industry tenant.
For Atlantic City, it represents a potential source of employment and additional economic activity tied to one of New Jersey's fastest-growing gaming sectors.
The immediate impact will depend on how quickly Evolution expands beyond its seven initially approved tables.
Future regulatory approvals, hiring and the company's long-term operating plans will determine whether the facility ultimately reaches its projected capacity and employment levels.
The unresolved financial issues surrounding Showboat also remain an important consideration.
Still, the October 27 approval marks a significant step toward establishing another major live dealer operation in Atlantic City.
As the resort continues searching for ways to diversify its economy, the Evolution project illustrates how the gaming industry is expanding beyond traditional casino floors and into new forms of employment, technology and entertainment.
About the Author
Karen Johnson
With over 30 years of news experience in major markets like Los Angeles, Denver, and Columbus, Karen now covers our area for South Jersey NewsBeat. She also brings her articulate and conversational news delivery to WOND radio listeners every weekday. Her background includes work with the NBC Radio Network, and she thrives in fast-paced news environments.
