First Mobile Sports Betting Licence Awarded In New Jersey
Resorts Casino Hotel and DraftKings partnership the first to market in the Garden State
The Bloomberg business news agency reports that Resorts Casino Hotel and DraftKings have received approval to become the first companies to offer online and mobile sports betting in New Jersey.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement gave approval Wednesday afternoon to the casino and its Boston-based online partner to launch an invitation-only version of mobile sports betting, which will undergo several days of testing before becoming fully available.
The New Jersey regulator revealed Wednesday that it is considering mobile applications from several other companies in the Garden State, where four land casinos and two horse tracks currently offer in-person sports betting (see previous InfoPowa reports).
Perhaps better known as a daily fantasy sports provider, DraftKings has been building its DraftKings Sportsbook operation since last summer, anticipating the liberalisation of sports betting in the US which came about following a US Supreme Court decision in May this year.
The DraftKings sports book app is available for Apple and Android phones, and empowers players to use the same account for DFS and sports betting, enabling cross-marketing. With geo-location facilities, the app will permit only players present within New Jersey borders to gamble.
Shortly after the Court’s ruling, New Jersey’s governor signed a state sports betting bill into law, triggering a 30-day waiting period on online and mobile betting to allow state regulators time to begin the licensing process.
The independent research firm Eilers & Krejcik Gaming estimates that combined online and land sports betting in New Jersey will generate around $500 million annually in operator revenues
Industry observers say that more online sports betting licenses can be expected in the near future; MGM Resorts chief exec Jim Murren said earlier this week that he expects subsidiary Borgata will be taking mobile bets within days.
Second Online And Mobile Betting Licence Imminent In New Jersey?
Resorts and The Stars Group a formidable partnership
Resorts Casino Hotel in New Jersey has announced its second online and mobile sports betting partnership in as many days, following up an earlier reveal of its association with DraftKings with the news that its partnership with The Stars Group is awaiting licence approval by the Division for Gaming Enforcement.
“We believe The Stars Group is uniquely qualified with the experience and insight needed to make sports betting a success in New Jersey,” said Matt Primeaux, a senior vice president at Toronto-based The Stars Group.
“We have successfully launched the BetStars brand in many European regulated markets, and we have invested heavily to create a premier global offering.”
Mark Giannantonio, president of Resorts, added:
“We’re excited to double down on our already successful partnership with The Stars Group, which owns leading sports books globally, and has always been known and respected for their advanced technology, superior customer experience and cutting-edge security safeguards. “It is an exciting day for New Jersey sports fans.”
The Stars Group-Resorts deal has been submitted to state regulators, but has not yet been approved to begin operations, said David Rebuck, director of the DGE.
He revealed that numerous gambling companies are seeking approval from state regulators to offer in-person and mobile sports betting before football season begins the first week of September. Additional approvals are expected soon.
Currently, five casinos — Resorts, Borgata, Ocean Resort, Bally’s and Harrah’s offer sports betting, along with the Monmouth Park and Meadowlands racetracks.