PokerStars & Full Tilt May Launch in New Jersey in October PokerStars & Full Tilt May Launch in New Jersey in October
Micky**, Creative Commons Attribution 2.0 License
Key Takeaways
  • New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) regulatory approval could be imminent and a tentative launch date of October 1, for both PokerStars and Full Tilt, has been planned—according to Jennifer Newell at NJPokerOnline.
  • Newell adds that the DGE “has not confirmed this information.”

PokerStars and Full Tilt could launch in New Jersey as early as October 1 according to sources in New Jersey.

New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) regulatory approval could be imminent and a tentative launch date of October 1, for both PokerStars and Full Tilt, has been planned—according to Jennifer Newell at NJPokerOnline.

Newell adds that the DGE “has not confirmed this information.”

License Partnerships Complex

The New Jersey licensing route is not 100% clear.

PokerStars’ new owners Amaya already have a New Jersey presence through transactional waivers for its gaming software partnerships with the Golden Nugget, Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, Caesars Interactive Entertainment and Trump Plaza.

Newell’s sources report that the DGE wants Amaya to extend its existing waivers rather than use the PokerStars license application, which is based on a partnership with the Resorts Casino Hotel.

Whatever the solution to the bureaucracy, and whatever the detailed timings, it looks to be inevitable that PokerStars will be launching online poker in New Jersey within a short timescale.

Revenues for the licensees that eventually go live with Amaya’s new online poker products could be enhanced if casino games are included in the package.

As Full Tilt is now up and running with its casino offerings, including those from a deal cut with Amaya shortly before the takeover deal was completed, the brand provides a logical vehicle to increase Amaya’s New Jersey market share.