Published
Online

NetEnt: We need to talk to PokerStars about New Jersey expansion

NetE

NetEntlogo
nt is planning to hold talks with PokerStars over the possibility of providing the operator with its online casino content in New Jersey, Gambling Insider has learned.

Bjorn Krantz, managing director of NetEnt Americas, has said in an exclusive interview that it plans to hold discussions on a possible expansion to the partnership, after it was announced in May that a selection of NetEnt’s portfolio was live and available with Stars’ casino offering.

Amaya, owner of Stars and Full Tilt, confirmed in September it had been granted the necessary approval by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to operate the brands in the state, and Amaya expects the New Jersey launch to occur in the first half of next year.

NetEnt, which launched in New Jersey in September when Borgata’s online casino began offering its content, does not provide online poker content, but is willing to explore the possibility of providing Stars with its online casino content in New Jersey.
We would very much welcome an extension of the partnership with PokerStars, but we need to sit down and discuss what both parties want. Bjorn Krantz


Stars is partnered with Resorts Casino to allow it to offer online casino and poker in New Jersey, and Resorts has a licence agreement in place with NetEnt to allow it to offer online casino content to Resorts and its other online partner, Mohegan Sun Casino.

Krantz said: “We would very much welcome an extension of the partnership with PokerStars, but we need to sit down and discuss what both parties want. We will then see what we can agree upon.”

NetEnt has licence agreements in place with all New Jersey casinos that are licensed to operate real-money online services in New Jersey, and it has been allowed to launch its games via Borgata and its partner BwinParty while its licence application is still under review.

When asked how NetEnt’s New Jersey clients will be able to drive a high volume of players to their content while competing with Stars, should NetEnt not eventually partner with Stars in New Jersey, Krantz said: “When it comes to the typical casino type of offerings, it’s not as liquidity driven as poker. Ok, you may not have big-pooled casino slot jackpots in New Jersey, which would need liquidity to make it attractive, but you still have very attractive, innovative games that can be offered to the market, without having the underlying liquidity that you would need in the poker sector.”

Krantz could not be certain as to when NetEnt’s New Jersey licence application process will be complete, but said “it will take some more time, that’s for sure”.

The full interview will be published in the January/February 2016 issue of Gambling Insider. Sign up for free here: Free subscription
Premium+ Connections
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
Premium
 
 
Premium Connections
Consultancy
Executive Profiles
Resorts World Las Vegas
Star Sports Group
Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Tejon
Follow Us

Facing Facts: Analysing figures from emerging gambling markets

Where is the gambling market on the rise, and are there any...

Taking Stock: A guide to lottery/iLottery operator and supplier prices

Gambling Insider tracks lottery/iLottery operator and suppli...

New Horizons Cover Feature: United Arab Emirates

With its first land-based casino set to open in 2027 and a n...

New Horizons Cover Feature: Brazil

Brazil performed quite the feat by getting its heavily delay...

The best of Malta at the Global Gaming Awards

Powered by Gambling Insider, the Global Gaming Awards are th...

Preview: SiGMA Malta 2024

A place in the winter sun: SiGMA returns to the home of iGa...

Company profile: Soft2Bet

Bill 55: Advantages and challenges for Maltese operators in...

Company profile: DS Virtual Gaming

DS Virtual Gaming is a leader in the gaming industry, utilis...