Resorts World Bet is looking to expand from New York into New Jersey, according to records released on Nov. 20 by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE). In the process, it will also be launching its first online casino product, something it can’t yet do legally in the Empire State.
In New York, Resorts World Bet is one of nine sportsbooks in the country’s No. 1 sports betting revenue state. However, it’s the penultimate in revenue generation, just ahead of Bally Bet.
The DGE paperwork shows Resorts World Bet has until May 4 to complete two categories of payments approved on Nov. 2. That’s a narrow approval of part of an agreement with its market access partner, Ocean Casino Resort.
So, the brand has more work to do before receiving final approval to launch.
If it does so, it will be the brand’s first online casino license. Pursuing one in New Jersey may be happening because online casino gambling isn’t yet legal in New York.
What’s In a Name?
The name “Resorts World Bet” may equate to instant brand recognition in New York. There, its land-based partner, Resorts World New York City in Queens, is expected to be one of the applicants for three full downstate New York retail casino licenses that may be awarded next year.
About 17 miles from the Queens casino, the operator would join New Jersey’s 10-year-old online casino marketplace filled with dozens of apps. In October, the Garden State’s online casinos and poker rooms generated $166.8 million in gross gaming revenue (GGR). That’s just behind the No. 1 iGaming state, Pennsylvania, which saw $186.9 million in GGR.
One of those sites, Resorts Casino, could confuse online gamblers if Resorts World Bet chooses to use the name it holds in New York. Resorts Casino is on the license of Resorts Casino Hotel in Atlantic City.
However, Resorts World Bet may veer away from that possible mess. There, the brand that touts itself as “the fastest growing online USA Sportsbook with fixed odds markets” may call itself RW Bet NJ, according to the DGE paperwork.
RW Bet NJ Would Join Ocean License
Ocean licenses small online gambling operators, according to the DGE site.
Its online casino and sportsbook partner, Tipico, often goes unmentioned in revenue roundups. However, the operator rolled out an app makeover on Oct. 17.
Rounding out the four current online casino partners are the following:
- betParx
- Ocean Online Casino
- PlayStar Casino
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