New Jersey in the News — Weekly Round-up for February 15, 2019

Churchill Downs Launch BetAmerica In New Jersey Market

Online sports betting and casino platform

Churchill Downs Incorporated (CDI) has launched its BetAmerica Sports Betting and Online Casino brand in New Jersey through its partnership with Golden Nugget Casino.

“We are excited to introduce our online BetAmerica Sportsbook and online casino platform to New Jersey residents,” Bill Carstanjen, CEO of CDI, said.

“We look forward to delivering innovative, state-of-the-art products that we believe will exceed our customers’ expectations by leveraging our deep experience as the leader in online horse race wagering through our TwinSpires platform.”

CDI originally launched its inaugural sportsbook under the BetAmerica brand at its Harlow’s Casino Resort & Spa in Greenville, Mississippi, and Riverwalk Casino Hotel in Vicksburg, Mississippi in August, 2018.

BetAmerica offers both slot and table games from content suppliers that include IGT PlayDigital, NetEnt, Spin Games, Everi, Konami, and others.

CG Technology To Expand In To New Jersey

With Meadowlands Racetrack partnership

Controversial Nevada bookmaker CG Technology (formerly Cantor Gaming) will expand into the New Jersey market through a partnership with Meadowlands Racetrack.

Under the partnership, the historically Nevada retail-focused sportsbook operator will operate online and mobile platforms subject to the approval of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

“We are delighted to enter the New Jersey market and bring forth our decade-plus of experience catering to customers in the country’s biggest gambling market,” said Parikshat Khanna, CEO of CG Technology. “As an early mover in the Nevada sports wagering business, we always envisioned national expansion that would give American consumers more product options.”

“We are excited to announce this partnership with CG Technology,” said Jeff Gural, Chairman and CEO of New Meadowlands Racetrack LLC. “We are confident CGT, with its years of experience, will bring some new and inventive offerings that will appeal to the New Jersey online and mobile sports wagering market.”

New Jersey Online Gambling Market Continues Upward Momentum

January 2019 delivers 24.6 percent increase in total gaming revenue year-on-year

Latest figures from New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement reflect a 24.6 percent rise in total gaming revenue to $229.6 million compared to January 2018.

Casino Win increased 9.2 percent to total $177.3 million vs $162.4 million in January 2018, while Internet Gaming Win was $33.6 million, up 53 percent.

January 2019’s Sports Wagering Gross Revenue was $18.8 million for the month. The Industry’s Total Gaming Revenue for the month was $229.6 million compared to $184.3 million for January 2018, reflecting a 24.6 percent increase.

Online casino revenue reached $31.7 million, up 58.5 percent year-on-year, however, online poker declined 3.5 percent to $1.88 million.

The State of New Jersey fattened its coffers by $19.9 million in total gaming taxes for the month of January 2019.

Golden Nugget remained ahead of the online pack, followed by new placement Resorts Digital Gaming, Borgata and Caesars, respectively, according to the DGE’s report.

OddsShark Banned From Operating In New Jersey

For promoting offshore operators on its website

New Jersey casinos and internet gaming operators have been ordered to cease doing business with affiliate marketer OddsShark.com by the New Jersey Deputy Attorney General (NJDAG) after an investigation discovered the site promoting offshore betting websites alongside licensed New Jersey operators.

In a letter addressed to OddsShark exec, Kostakis Konstantinou, the NJDAG said:

“The Division has accessed your website located at www.oddsshark.com and found that, alongside promotional links to authorized New Jersey online gaming and sports betting websites, your website also promotes https://www.bovada.lv, http://www.betonline.ag and http://www5dimes.eu, among others, which offer unauthorized internet gaming and sports betting to New Jersey residents.”

“By copy of this letter, the Division is instructing all New Jersey casinos and internet gaming providers that they must cease doing all business with OddsShark.com, regardless of whether the platforms are promoting their New Jersey activity or activity in other jurisdictions.

“In addition, you may be violating the criminal laws of the state of New Jersey [regarding racketeering and promoting illegal gambling].

“We request that you immediately remove any online gaming links that are not authorized under federal law or under the law of any state. The State of New Jersey reserves the right to pursue appropriate civil or criminal sanctions against you if you fail to take the requested actions.”