State approvals announced Friday all but guarantee that several Atlantic City casinos will be prepared to offer online gambling by the Nov. 26 launch. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement released a list of companies that have been awarded waivers, authorizing them to engage in Internet gambling activities later this month. A trial period begins Nov. 21.

The waivers indicate that the companies have submitted complete applications and have passed preliminary investigations. A license will still be needed to operate in New Jersey in the long term, according to state guidelines. The casino entities offering Internet gambling also have to receive online gambling permits in the state’s multi-tiered process. Five casinos already awarded permits saw waivers approved Friday for their operations and their Internet gambling partners.

Among those approved for operation Friday were Borgata Hotel Casino and Spa and its partner bwin.party, Tropicana Casino and Resort and its Internet partner Gamesys Limited, Trump Taj Mahal Casino Resort and its partner Ultimate Gaming, Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino and its partner Betfair, and Golden Nugget Atlantic City and its partner Bally Technologies.

The four Atlantic City properties owned by Caesars Entertainment – Caesars, Ballys, Showboat and Harrah’s – have not yet received Internet gambling permits. But on Friday Caesars Atlantic City and was approved for a waiver with partner Amaya, and Bally’s Atlantic CIty was approved for a waiver with 888 Holdings.

Absent from Friday’s list was PokerStars, the online gambling giant that faced difficulties in New Jersey’s licensing procedures while it was trying to obtain authorization to purchase the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel. That deal later collapsed, leaving PokerStars announced plans to team up with Resorts Casino Hotel to offer online gambling.

That does not necessarily mean PokerStars won’t receive a waiver before the online gambling launch, as the list will continue to be updated, said Lisa Spengler, a spokeswoman for the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. PokerStars’ application is still under review, said Spengler. The division would not release any additional details on the status of pending applications.

Read more on the Atlantic City casinos when you visit the Press of Atlantic City.