Ocean Casino Resort makes waves with $14M transformation of high-limit slot lounge. Posted on: October 2, 2026, 03:42h. Last updated on: October 2, 2026, 04:33h. Key points. * Ocean Casino Resort is investing $14 million to expand and transform The Cove, its high-limit slot lounge, from 140 machines to 192 * The 11,935-square-foot VIP space will feature ocean-inspired design, new seating areas, and a planned early 2027 opening * Ocean has generated $329.9 million in GGR through August, up 5.4% year over year and ranking third among Atlantic City casinos Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City is investing $14 million to expand and enhance The Cove, the Boardwalk property's high-limit slot lounge that's exclusive to rewards players. Ocean announced on Thursday, Oct. 1, that the resort is transforming and enlarging The Cove. The high-limit slot lounge is moving to an 11,935-square-foot space located between the Asian Table Games area and the High-Limit Table Games room. Set to open early next year, the new Cove will expand from approximately 140 slots to 192 gaming machines. The venue will feature dedicated sitting areas and an interior design that "takes its cues from the ocean just beyond the property's Boardwalk setting." "This transformation of The Cove is another significant investment in the future of Ocean Casino Resort and the experiences we deliver to our guests," said Ocean Casino Resort General Manager Bill Callahan, adding that the expanded lounge will offer a "sophisticated and distinctly Ocean experience." VIP focus. Ocean Casino Resort has heavily invested in appealing to Atlantic City high rollers. The Cove is a major component of its VIP focus, with the high-limit slots lounge reserved for Reserve, Prime, and Preferred Ocean Rewards cardholders Sunday through Thursday, and Reserve and Prime members Friday through Saturday. The Cove allows high rollers to keep their play going without interruption when they hit jackpots up to $39,999. Through The Cove's "Self-Pay" program, a slots player can automatically have the jackpot funded to their bankroll on the same machine. When the player decides to stop playing, a slot attendant closes their Self-Pay session. The Cove isn't the only gaming space at Ocean restricted for VIPs. Forty-four stories above the Boardwalk is The Loft, a private 2,000-square-foot luxury gaming suite with floor-to-ceiling windows overlooking the Atlantic Ocean. The Loft is accessible only by invitation and comes with a full-service complimentary bar, dedicated butler service, and a personal security detail. Corporate ownership & market share. In June, Ocean Casino Resort became fully owned by the billionaire Ilitch family, whose fortune stems from the late Mike Ilitch and his wife, Marian, founding Little Caesars. With the transaction, Ilitch Companies announced a new holding company for its casinos, Ilitch Gaming. Along with Ocean, Ilitch Gaming owns and operates MotorCity Casino Hotel in Detroit and Scarlet Pearl Casino Resort in Mississippi. Through August, Ocean Casino reported gross gaming revenue (GGR) of $329.9 million from its slot machines and table games, a 5.4% gain on the prior year. Ocean is one of only three casinos in Atlantic City to report higher GGR year-to-date. Ocean generated the third-most GGR behind Borgata at $556.7 million and Hard Rock at $376.4 million. Devin O'Connor is a senior reporter for Casino.org, covering politics, casino business, and gaming news. Devin came on board with Casino.org in 2014. He lives in Arlington, Va.

Ocean Casino Resort announces plans for expansion and transformation of The Cove with $14 million investment. Oct 01, 2026, 09:55 ET Elevated high-limit slot destination is set to debut new look with expanded gaming, refined coastal-inspired design and enhanced guest amenities ATLANTIC CITY, N.J., Oct. 1, 2026 /PRNewswire/ - Ocean Casino Resort is elevating its high-limit slot experience with the unveiling of a newly transformed space, The Cove. Following a $14 million investment, the transformation brings together an expanded gaming floor, elevated hospitality and a sophisticated new design inspired by the natural beauty and movement of the Atlantic Ocean. Slated to open in early 2027, The Cove will be located adjacent to the Asian Table Games area. This expansion is in response to overwhelming demand for high-end slots at Ocean and is included in a larger project designed to increase overall slot units. Spanning 11,935 square feet - roughly a 60 percent increase - and featuring than 192 slot machines from leading gaming manufacturers, including Aristocrat, Light & Wonder, IGT and others, The Cove has been thoughtfully recreated as a high-limit gaming environment that balances the energy of the casino floor with the comfort, privacy and service of a luxury lounge. The design takes its cues from the ocean just beyond the property's Boardwalk setting. Fluid architectural forms and wave-inspired details create a sense of movement throughout the space, while a refined palette of soft neutrals, light oak tones, luminous marble, brushed gold and layered ocean blues adds warmth and sophistication. "This transformation of The Cove is another significant investment in the future of Ocean Casino Resort and the experiences we deliver to our guests," said Ocean Casino Resort General Manager Bill Callahan. "We've expanded the space while elevating every aspect of the environment, from the design and gaming offerings to the service and amenities, resulting in a sophisticated and distinctly Ocean experience that reflects the level of quality our high-limit guests have come to expect from us." The Cove's transformation extends beyond aesthetics as the expanded space introduces a collection of amenities designed to provide guests with a more seamless and personalized high-limit experience, including specialized cocktail service, comfortable seating areas, dedicated restrooms and cashier booths. An enhanced beverage menu complements the experience, with dedicated service bringing elevated hospitality directly to guests while they play. The lineup of high-limit slot pay offerings combines established player favorites with newer titles across slots, linked games, progressive-style experiences and video poker. The Cove's update adds another dimension to Ocean Casino Resort's growing collection of premium gaming offerings. Guests seeking an elevated table-game experience can visit the property's High Limit Table Games area, while The Loft offers a private 2,000-square-foot luxury gaming suite 44 stories above Atlantic City, complete with butler service, a top-shelf bar and floor-to-ceiling Atlantic Ocean views. Ocean's gaming portfolio also includes an expansive 8,000-square-foot Asian gaming space, recently doubled in size, featuring 32 gaming tables with offerings including Baccarat and Pai Gow Poker. With the transformation of The Cove, Ocean's latest investment further expands the property's approach to luxury gaming by pairing an extensive selection of play with elevated design, personalized service and amenities designed around the guest experience. ABOUT OCEAN CASINO RESORT Spanning over 20 beachfront acres along the iconic Atlantic City Boardwalk, Ocean Casino Resort is a premier luxury destination offering world-class accommodations, gaming, dining, entertainment, and spa experiences. Ocean features 1,860 newly renovated guest rooms and suites, a 135,000-square-foot casino floor with slots and an expansive Asian gaming pit, a 4,500-seat concert venue, 160,000 square feet of expansive meeting and convention space, Exhale Spa & Bathhouse, and one of the largest collections of outdoor amenities in Atlantic City. Ocean's dining portfolio includes upscale concepts by acclaimed restaurateurs Stephen Starr and Jose Garces, alongside an array of casual dining, nightlife, and daylife experiences including HQ2Beach Club and Nightclub. Signature attractions include Ocean's 18 Mini Golf & Bar - a two-level immersive mini golf experience featuring holograms by HYPERVSN, the same company behind the technology used at The Sphere in Las Vegas - and Santa's Hideaway Adventure, a magical holiday journey to the North Pole. To complete its gaming offerings, Ocean hosts land-based sports wagering in partnership with Fanatics Sportsbook and online gaming through its real-money gaming site and mobile app betOcean within the state of New Jersey. Philadelphia Magazine named the property "Best Casino" on its "Best of Philly" awards list.Ocean Casino Resort is owned and operated by AC Beachfront, L.L.C. SOURCE Ocean Casino Resort

New Jersey casino revenue sees slight growth in Q2 despite profitfall. August 25, 2026 Stable revenue amid profit declines in New Jersey's casino sector. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has released its report on the state's casino industry performance for the second quarter of 2026. While casino revenue remained relatively steady, there was a significant drop in overall profit during this period. Financial overview for Q2 and H1 2026. The casinos licensed in New Jersey collectively generated net revenues totaling $844.5 million in Q2, marking a modest 0.9% increase compared to the same quarter last year. However, gross operating profit took a downturn, falling by 10.1% to $164.9 million. Looking at the first half (H1) of 2026, the figures reflected a similar trend: net revenues edged up slightly by 0.2% to $1.57 billion, whereas gross operating profit dropped more sharply by 15.5%, reaching $269.6 million. In addition, the occupancy rate for casino hotel rooms increased to 73.2% in Q2, up 0.6% from the previous year. The first half occupancy rate was recorded at 69%, showing a 1.2% improvement year-over-year. Performance breakdown by casino licensee. Analyzing individual casino results reveals that Caesars and Ocean Casino were the only properties to report gains in both net revenue and gross operating profit for the quarter. Below is a detailed summary of each casino's Q2 performance: * Bally's: Net revenue fell by 3% to $47.5 million, with operating profit decreasing 8.8% to $2.1 million. * Borgata: Experienced a 3.6% rise in net revenue to $218.4 million but saw a 4.7% reduction in operating profit to $60.1 million. * Caesars: Achieved a 7.7% increase in net revenue reaching $68 million and a 2.9% boost in operating profit to $12.9 million. * Golden Nugget: Net revenue declined by 6% to $36.3 million, with a steep 43% drop in operating profit to $2.9 million. * Hard Rock: Slightly lower net revenue by 0.9% at $148.4 million, while operating profit improved by 10.5% to $29.1 million. * Harrah's: Saw net revenue grow 2.7% to $69.6 million, yet operating profit fell 6.8% to $11 million. * Ocean Casino: Reported a strong 9.2% increase in net revenue to $142 million and a 12.2% rise in operating profit to $30.1 million. * Resorts: Suffered a sharp net revenue decline of 20.3% down to $39.6 million, accompanied by a 95.2% plunge in operating profit to $474,000. * Tropicana: Experienced a minor net revenue decrease of 0.5% to $66.6 million, with operating profit dropping 8.7% to $13.6 million. * CIENJ: Net revenue dropped significantly by 28.2% to $8 million, with operating profit decreasing by 43.5% to $2.5 million.