Partypoker back in the game after New Jersey launch
Online gambling company Bwin. Party Digital Entertainment has announced that its flagship site, Partypoker went live in New jersey at 5:00am today. After gaining the approval of the New Jersey Division of Gaming, the launch of the website is possibly the start of a new dawn for the US gaming industry which hopes to replicate the UK's more liberalised gambling market.
The New Jersey launch also marks the end of a seven year absence for the company after the passage of the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006, which placed heavy regulations on gambling websites. Prior to 2006 the firm had roughly 47 per cent of the US market share in online betting.
Chief executive officer, Norbert Teufelberger said the company was:
focused on providing great gaming entertainment to customers in New Jersey, with a full suite of casino games, including over 30 proprietary games that are exclusive to the bwin.party network, poker tournaments, jackpots and promotions.
Many types of gambling remain illegal in most US states, due to the 1961 Wire Act. However, individual states may allow online gambling so as long as it does not cross borders. Up until now only two other US states have legalised online gambling, Delaware and Nevada. In 2006 the form had roughly 47 per cent market share in the US.
Bwin. Party Digital Entertainment's partner, the Borgata Hoel Casino and Spa, was also authorised to go live with its two gambling websites.