Business View Magazine l January 2023

204 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE VOLUME 9, ISSUE 12 to 34 courts,” Gallagher conveys. “Then we get into a lot of our outdoor events. We host our Jimmy Johnson Quest for the Ring in July, which Michael Jordan fishes in. The top fishermen up and down the East Coast come and fish for a $1.2 million purse prize.” A variety of triathlons and marathons also take place during the summer months, with September bringing Ironman 70.3, another major attraction. 2022 saw the largest pickleball event in the United States, with 41 pickleball courts set up in the Atlantic City Convention Center, as well as the US Open 9-Ball, bringing the best billiard players in the world to compete in the city. “When we first started the Sports Commission, we were predominantly focused on regional events.” Gallagher recounts. “As our branding became more recognizable, and we became more of a noticeable destination for sporting events, we focused more on national and international events. That’s kind of our secret sauce moving forward. We want to be able to host these events to put Atlantic City on the map, not only as a sporting destination but as a destination for people to travel and visit transiently.” The popularity of Esports, which is the fastest- growing sport worldwide, has been another opportunity for Atlantic City to diversify. “Esports, to put it directly, is essentially competitive video ballysac.com • 1900 Pacific Avenue, Atlantic City, NJ ©2023Bally’sCorporation.BALLY,BALLY’S, theBALLY’SLogo,BALLYREWARDS, WELCOMETOTHEBALLYVERSE,FORFUN’SSAKE,andJUMP INTOTHETHRILLare servicemarksand registeredservicemarksofTwinRiverManagementGroup, Inc.and itsaffiliates.Mustbe21orolder togamble.Gamblingproblem?Call1-800-GAMBLER. Located in the heart of Atlantic City where the pulse is back! To book your sports team accommodations email acsales@ballysac.com or call 609-340-2532 New Hotel Lobby New Carousel Bar | 360° Rotating Bar New The Yard | Beers · Eats · Beats New 750 Bally’s Tower Hotel Rooms including corner and penthouse suites New 400 Hot Slots New Restaurants including Jerry Longo’s Meatballs &Martinis, Casino Café & Grille, Carluccio’s Pizza and Red Bowl 88 THE ALL-NEW BALLY’S