New Jersey Issues Latest Round of iGaming Licenses; PokerStars Still Under Review
The latest round of iGaming approvals before New Jersey's Nov. 26 launch was announced on Friday afternoon. The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement released a list of Internet gaming companies which have received a license, giving them permission to "engage in Internet gaming activities" when the market opens later this month.
Once again, PokerStars was not included in the transactional waiver list. The world's leading online poker room filed an application with the DGE in July, but the submission remains under review by regulators. The next update from the DGE will occur on Wednesday, Nov. 20 — one day before the Web gambling trial period begins in the state. We'll know then whether PokerStars will have authority to offer its services by the Nov. 26 launch date or fall a step behind potential competitors.
Last week, several industry giants were greenlighted for business in New Jersey. Caesars Interactive Entertainment, bwin.party, 888, Ultimate Poker, Betfair and Amaya Gaming were each awarded transactional waivers by the DGE and will be eligible to participate in the "soft launch" trial period beginning on Nov. 21.
Sixteen ancillary companies received approval to offer Web gambling services in New Jersey on Friday. Here are the latest additions:
| FIRST DATA MERCHANT SERVICES CORP | FEARLESS GROUP USA INC. | MONEY NETWORK | INTEGRATED PAYMENT SYSTEMS, INC. |
| OOVOO, LLC | ISEC PARTNERS | MOBIUS SOLUTIONS LTD. | LIVEPERSON, INC. |
| LEE ALEXANDER TERFLOTH | CHRISTOPHER JAN OUKES | APPSEC LABS, LTD. | PROLEXIC TECHNOLOGY |
| SKYHOOK WIRELESS INC | PLANNING-INC LIMITED | VALUECLICK INTERNATIONAL LTD | MBLOX LIMITED |
New Jersey's online gambling trial run will begin on Nov. 21, and a full launch is scheduled to roll out on Nov. 26. During that five-day trial period, operators will be watched closely as they test identity verification systems, geolocation systems, and transaction processing systems. Operators will select pre-registered players to participate in their real-money gaming trial period beginning next Thursday.
We'll have much more on this story as it develops. Get all the latest PokerNews updates on your social media outlets. Follow us on Twitter and find us on both Facebook and Google+!
