Philly.com – New Jersey approved two additional casinos Wednesday to conduct Internet gambling, bringing the total to seven so far.
But last-minute testing that was to continue late into the night might knock some out of the running for Thursday night’s launch of a five-day test period, also called soft play.
David Rebuck, director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, said his office was testing the systems of the seven casinos.
Each Internet permit authorizes a holder to run up to five gambling websites; the division will issue a list of those that made the final cut Thursday.
“All the companies who meet our testing standards at the end of tonight that we feel comfortable with for soft play will get an order to commence soft play,” Rebuck said. He said he is optimistic the casinos are ready for a successful online gambling launch.
The state Casino Control Commission granted a casino license Wednesday to Caesars Interactive, a subsidiary of Caesars Entertainment. Right afterward, the gambling enforcement division granted Internet gambling permits to Caesars Atlantic City and Bally’s Atlantic City.
Caesars Entertainment is the world’s largest casino company and owns four casinos in Atlantic City: Caesars, Bally’s, Harrah’s Resort Atlantic City and the Showboat Casino Hotel. The company was eligible for permits for all four casinos but only applied for two.
If all goes well with the trial, Internet gambling will begin statewide on Tuesday.
FULL STORY
