Borgata secures first online gambling permit in Atlantic City

borgata-new-system-sticky-featured-homeAtlantic City may still be in the doldrums these days, but a ray of hope pierced through the gloomy clouds after Boyd’s Borgata became the first casino in New Jersey to receive an Internet gambling permit from state regulators.

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement announced the ground-breaking news, explaining the Borgata was the first of Atlantic City’s casinos to  complete its application, thus receiving its Internet gambling permit before the other applicants.

But even with the permit now in its pocket, the Borgata must wait until November 21 for the state’s five-day trial period to begin. If all goes well during the trial, the Borgata is officially live for Internet gambling on November 26.

The five-day trial period will feature a limited menu of online gambling options and is only open to players who have received a special invite to participate. What isn’t clear yet is whether the players are allowed to play for real-money stakes or not. Should everything run smoothly, there will be expanded gaming options. Unlike Nevada where poker is the only internet game in town, the New Jersey regulation allows for all games, be they legal in the casino, to be played online.

The Borgata’s online gambling partner, bwin.party, commented on Borgata’s permit calling it a big step not just for themselves and the Borgata but for the entire gambling industry in New Jersey.

“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,” a bwin.party spokesman told the New Jersey Star Ledger.

“The game is changing and we’re dead set on being back in the game come 26th November.”

10 of the 12 casinos in Atlantic City have partnerships with online gambling companies to launch their own online gambling in the state. All four of Caesars‘ properties in Atlantic City are teaming with 888 Holdings; the Tropicana Resort chose Gamesys Limited; the Trump Taj Mahal has a deal with  Ultimate Gaming while its sister-company, the Trump Plaza Hotel and Casino has a deal with Betfair. One casino, the Golden Nugget Atlantic City, signed a deal with Bally Technologies to be its technology provider but is expected to offer Internet gambling under its own brand.

The only Casinos currently without an online gambling partner are the Revel Casino-Hotel and the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel.

The Borgata is the first but other permits are expected to be dolled out in the coming days.