Paddy Power in for New Jersey licence

Paddy Power has filed an application to offer online gambling in New Jersey despite not yet confirming whether it has entered into a necessary partnership with a casino in the state.

The Irish operator has been actively pursuing a deal in the state given regulations dictate that only existing casino licensees can operate online gambling there.

However it was not among the partnerships announced last month, which included tie-ups between Trump’s Plaza and Taj Mahal properties with Betfair and Ultimate Gaming respectively, as well as PokerStars and Resorts.

Last week online and social gaming operator Gamesys confirmed it will partner with Tropicana Casino and Resort for an egaming launch in the Garden State.

Just two Atlantic City casinos, the Revel and the Atlantic Club, have yet to announce their online gaming partner.

“We want to make sure that we’re in place and ready,” communications director Paddy Power told the Irish Independent. “We have applied for the licence to be in there, and we’ll then see what is viable. We’re putting ourselves in position.”

Under New Jersey regulations only existing land-based casinos can operate online gambling in the state, a law which has sparked numerous partnerships between European egaming firms and Atlantic City properties.

The state’s Department of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) imposed a 29 June deadline for companies to disclose partnerships, and is aiming to launch the state’s online gambling market on 16 November.