- The Borgata was the first casino to submit a completed application, according to the DGE
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has issued its first permit to allow a casino to proceed with online gambling.
The ceremonial permit was issued by DGE Director David Rebuck (pictured on the left) to Borgata President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Ballance (pictured on the right). The Borgata was the first casino to submit a completed application, according to the DGE.
MGM and Boyd Gaming, owners of the Borgata, struck a deal with bwin.party to provide the online gaming platform for their US properties. The PartyPoker operator told investors back in July that it would be ready for a November launch.
“We are honored to receive New Jersey’s first Internet Gaming Permit,” said Ballance. “Borgata and bwin.party are aggressively pursuing our objective of being among the first to launch online gaming in the state.
However there has been no word that bwin.party has also been approved.
There was some concern the synchronised go-live would be pushed back. Last month, the regulator warned New Jersey casinos that their inability to file applications with all the required documentation could delay proceedings.
However, just last week the DGE confirmed that the launch of the internet gambling program was proceeding as planned, and that online casinos were expected to go live on November 21 with a 5-day soft launch trial period for invited players, prior to opening up the program to all players within the state borders on November 26.
All twelve casinos in Atlantic City have applied for online gaming licenses, and ten are known to have formed partnerships with online gaming firms, with the likes of PokerStars, Amaya, 888 Holdings awaiting approval.
