Esports betting operator Esports Entertainment Group has entered into a multi-year partnership with Twin River Worldwide Holdings, that will see it enter New Jersey’s sports betting market.
The operator plans to roll out a proprietary mobile app, which, when live, will enable consumers in the state to place wagers on a range of esports events.
Currently, esports betting in New Jersey is only permitted by the state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement on a case-by-case. However, a bill filed by Assemblymember Ralph Caputo in January this year aims to ease these restrictions and allow betting to be offered alongside traditional sports.
A637 passed the New Jersey Assembly in late July, and has progressed to the Senate, where it now sits with the State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee.
The partnership and subsequent launch are contingent on Twin River obtaining the necessary regulatory approvals to complete its acquisition of Bally’s Atlantic City Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
Twin River in April agreed to purchase the casino from Caesars Entertainment, with the deal subject to the latter being acquired by Eldorado Resorts. Eldorado completed its mega-merger with Caesars last month.
Should the acquisition go through as expected, Twin River would also have the rights to three online sports betting skins in New Jersey, one of which would be taken by Esports Entertainment under the terms of the new partnership.
“We are excited to partner with Twin River as we bring mobile sports betting to the New Jersey market,” Esports Entertainment chief executive Grant Johnson, said. “When we completed our IPO on Nasdaq earlier this year, it was with the intention of expanding our operations in the US, and with this partnership, we’re delivering on that goal.”
Twin River president and chief executive George Papanier added: “Esports Entertainment will be a great addition to our growing partnerships with Sportsbook leaders around the world, as we currently operate sportsbooks in Rhode Island, Colorado, Delaware and Mississippi.
“Bringing this new, unique offering to the AC market with a prominent gaming partner is one of the many exciting changes we have in store for Atlantic City in the months to come.”
The new partnership comes after Esports Entertainment last month finalised the acquisition of online betting and gaming operator Argyll Entertainment and its operating subsidiaries.