Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City officially leveled up its entertainment lineup this weekend with the grand opening of Ocean’s 18 Mini Golf & Bar, a multi-million-dollar venue that brings a beloved Jersey Shore tradition inside the casino walls for the first time.
The celebration, held on Jan. 17, featured a ceremonial first putt by veteran actor Christopher McDonald—immortalized as the villainous “Shooter McGavin” in Happy Gilmore. Joining the festivities were Jersey Shore icons Sammi “Sweetheart” Giancola and Jenni “JWoww” Farley, who took swings on the new 8,000-square-foot course.
Ocean’s 18 isn’t just a nostalgic trip to the boardwalk; it features $500,000 in immersive hologram technology provided by HYPERVSN, the team behind the visuals at The Sphere in Las Vegas.
Key tech highlights include:
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Ava the Avatar: A multilingual virtual human hologram that greets guests in over 15 languages and explains the course’s “Challenge Hole.”
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The Great White Shark: A massive 12-foot hologram—the largest of its kind in any casino or mini-golf course—towering over the main bar.
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Digital Gameplay: Players use QR code scorecards to track their progress on a real-time leaderboard.
The venue spans two levels and offers two distinct nine-hole courses. While the space is family-friendly during the day, it transforms into a 21-and-over sports bar after 9 p.m. nightly.
The bar features a curated cocktail menu with themed drinks like the Jaws 18 (a Ketel One blue martini) and the Pineapple Par, alongside frozen granitas and standard sports bar fare.
The addition of Ocean’s 18 is part of a broader push to diversify the resort’s appeal beyond traditional gambling.
“By combining the nostalgia of mini golf with cutting-edge technology… Ocean’s 18 adds an entirely new dimension to the guest experience,” said Bill Callahan, General Manager of Ocean Casino Resort.
Owner/Operator Mark Benevento added that the venue “reimagines what entertainment in Atlantic City can be,” blending local culture with high-tech innovation.
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Location: Casino Level (next to LaScala’s Fire).
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Hours: Open weekly, Wednesday through Monday.
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Late Night: Transitions to a vibrant sports bar atmosphere at 9 p.m.
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Events: The space is fully adaptable for corporate bookings, with holograms that can be customized to display company logos.
Looking ahead, Ocean Casino Resort plans to capitalize on the golf trend by launching a “Stay and Play” hotel package later this year, featuring partnerships with local golf courses and branded apparel.
