- Transaction waivers issued to major European gaming brands.
- PokerStars application “still being processed.”
- Less than two weeks to go before soft-launch commences.
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement released a new list of companies on Friday that will be allowed to conduct business in the state’s pending internet gaming space.
Among those included on the list are bwin.party, Betfair, Ultimate Poker, Caesars, Amaya/Ongame, Bally Technologies, 888 who can now prepare to launch their online gaming operations.
Soft-launch periods for invited customers should start by November 21, with the synchronized go-launch date anchored to November 26.
The operators have been issued “transactional waivers,” which give the companies temporary approval to offer online gaming while more formal licenses are processed.
“Still Under Review”
One notable omission from the list is Rational Group, parent company of PokerStars and Full Tilt Poker. The application of the European giant, which has partnered with Resorts Casino and Hotel for online gaming in New Jersey, “remains under review,” according to a statement from Rational spokesman Eric Hollreiser.
“We remain committed to working with them to complete the process,” reads a short tweet today.
A spokesperson from the New Jersey DGE, speaking to Press of Atlantic City, confirmed that an omission from today’s list “does not mean a waiver won’t be awarded before the launch” on November 26.
“The list will continue to be updated,” Spengler said. A subsequent publication is scheduled for November 15.
Launch Plans
Those on today’s list can finally start gearing up for launch—and with less than two weeks to go, they’ll have to be fast.
Bwin.party will provide online gaming services to The Borgata through a partnership with its owners, MGM and Boyd. Both the PartyPoker and Borgata brands have been used for pre-launch promotional material.
Betfair has partnered with Trump Plaza and launched a “Lets Play NJ” campaign ahead of its debut.
Caesars, which owns four casinos in Atlantic City, is partnered with 888 through its Caesars Interactive Entertainment subsidiary. The companies are already partnered and offering WSOP.com in Nevada.
888 will use one of these four licenses for its own-branded online poker room and casino in New Jersey, and the group has also partnered with Wynn, which will be part of its All American Poker Network.
Ultimate Gaming has partnered with Trump Taj for its New Jersey operations. It will use its own poker platform in use in Nevada for New Jersey. It plans to use casino games provided by IGT and SHFL for its ucasino.com.
The Golden Nugget has partnered with Bally Technologies, which will use Amaya’s Ongame for online poker.
Five permits to casinos have been issued: to The Borgata, Tropicana, Golden Nugget and the two Trump properties. 53 third parties, including payment processors and verification providers, were previously given authorization.
Only gaming is slated to commence on November 21 for a five-day soft-launch period, with full online gaming scheduled for November 26.
