Eric Johannsen was a part of Pearl River Resort history Thursday morning.

Johannsen, a Hickory resident, was on hand for the opening of the Golden Moon Hotel and Casino’s Sportsbook at Timeout Lounge. Thanks to a Supreme Court decision in May that struck down a 1992 federal law prohibiting sports gambling in most states, the resort opted to make sports betting a new experience for guests.

As the first person in line, Johannsen was the first person to gamble on a sporting event by betting on the New Orleans Saints to win the Super Bowl this coming season.

“I’m really confident,” Johannsen said. “I think we’re going to have a good team this year. As long as they have Drew (Brees) at quarterback, anything is possible.”

Sports book at Timeout Lounge includes a betting booth with traditional in-person wagering, and a smartphone and tablet app will be introduced within the next couple of months that will allow people to place a bet electronically.

Behind the betting booth is a 12-TV booth displaying odds, and the lounge also includes a bar with 20 large-screen TVs behind it for viewing sporting events.

“I almost got tears of joy,” said Neal Atkinson, director of table games, poker, sports book and bingo operations at the resort. “When that (Supreme Court) decision came down, we didn’t have a lot of time, but the engagement and team effort by the employees to make this come together was fascinating to be a part of. I’ve been in gaming for 20 years, and this is probably the most exciting day I’ve ever had.”

Johannsen said he was honored to be the first person at the casino to place a bet.

“It’s really cool,” Johannsen said. “It’s something I joked about, but I didn’t think I’d be the first person.”

The introduction of sports gambling throughout Mississippi is a big deal in general, Johannsen added.

“I think it’ll be very helpful to the casinos for their revenue, and it’ll give people something they can do for fun in a save environment,” Johannsen said.

Phyliss Anderson, chief of the Mississippi Band of Choctaw Indians, which operates the resort, was on hand for the ribbon cutting and said the introduction of sports betting at the casino will be a nice added feature for guests.

“Anytime we improve at the resort, it’s always special,” Anderson said. “We’re always looking to expand for our guests and to bring amenities for customers to our resort.”

Sports betting, Anderson said, should bring added enjoyment to watching a sporting event.

“I believe it gives them another area of entertainment,” she said. “You can bet on your favorite teams but also get to enjoy sporting events, and I’m glad we can provide that for our customers.”

The legalization of sports gambling could change the way some sports fans follow games, and Johannsen said it could bring added interest for people already following sports.

“It’ll provide that element of a little extra excitement for someone who is watching and has placed a bet,” Johannsen said.

Atkinson said he thinks sports betting will also attract more people to the casino in general.

“I think it’ll mean a lot of new people for us,” Atkinson said. “Even if they’re not a sports better, what better place is there to come see a game, other than the (team’s) stadium?”