Bet365 set for US launch

Bet365 has agreed a deal with the Hard Rock Atlantic City casino to launch a sports-betting service in New Jersey.

The agreement was disclosed via a letter dated June 25 but published yesterday (Tuesday) by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).

The DGE approved the request for the two parties to enter into an agreement through to July 31 and said that the two parties had signed a letter of intent on June 19. The division added that any request for a renewal would be contingent on Bet365 having fulfilled its filing obligations.

Bet365 – whose rival William Hill was the first operator to take bets legally in New Jersey last month – has applied for a casino service industry enterprise (CSIE) licence.

The Hard Rock Atlantic City casino, formerly the Trump Taj Mahal, reopened a week ago.

The casino’s online gambling operation went live on Tuesday of this week, five days after the casino opened.

“Our online gaming team has done an amazing job launching one of the most dynamic online gaming experiences in the industry,” said Matt Harkness, president of the facility, according to CBS. “We're excited to extend the Hard Rock brand beyond the Boardwalk and let casino players (play) across the Garden State.”

Six casino licensees operate online gambling in New Jersey: Borgata, Caesars Interactive, Golden Nugget, Hard Rock, Resorts and Tropicana.