Borgata online gambling moved closer to reality a few days ago, and the casino received the first Internet gaming permit in New Jersey. This will give the resort an early start as casinos jockey for position in the potentially lucrative online betting market.
Tom Ballance, president and chief operating officer of Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, said the permit underscores theirs intention to have Borgata online gambling become one of the first in Atlantic City to offer play through its partnership with Bwin.party.
“We believe online gaming is an exciting growth opportunity for New Jersey’s gaming industry, one that will generate significant benefits for the state as New Jersey assumes a leadership role in this emerging form of gaming entertainment,” Ballance said in a statement Wednesday.
Bwin.party stressed it will be ready to start online wagering as soon as New Jersey gives the final go-ahead. Bwin.party is best known for its partypoker.com brand in Europe and the World Poker Tour franchise.
“This is a big step towards the opening of the regulated market for online gaming in New Jersey next month,” Bwin.party spokesman John Shepherd said. “We’re working very closely with our blue-chip partner to launch Borgata-branded poker and casino sites and our partypoker site, which will also offer casino games, on Day 1 of the opening of the New Jersey market.”
The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement has set Nov. 26 as the launch for full-fledged Internet gambling, although it will be preceded by a five-day trial period to test the digital system for any potential problems.
Lisa Spengler, a division spokeswoman, said Borgata online gambling has been the first to submit a complete application for a New Jersey Internet gambling permit. Each casino must obtain a permit to begin online wagering.
Although Borgata becomes the first casino awarded a permit, Spengler said it doesn’t mean that Borgata will jump ahead of other Atlantic City casinos for Internet gambling.
“It gives no tactical advantage because they can’t do anything until we go live anyway,” she said of Borgata.
