MGM Resorts launches mobile betting app in New Jersey

MGM’s playMGM digital brand announced Wednesday the soft launch of New Jersey’s second mobile sports betting app, presenting competition to DraftKings, which won the race to mobile betting in the state earlier this month (see previous report).

The state regulator has revealed that there will be a number of other entrants into the mobile betting sector in the near future.

Nevada sports bettors have been able to wager on playMGM’s mobile betting product powered by IGT since 2016.

The New Jersey app is currently only available in Android format, but iOS and desktop will soon follow, the company revealed.

MGM Resorts has partnered with the major European online gambling group GVC Holdings for its New Jersey sports betting activity, and will be able to leverage the highly experienced Bwin brand, which is a GVC subsidiary.

The Android app text identifies Bwin as the provider, but intriguingly does not list New Jersey among the many jurisdictions it indicates have access to the app.

In related news, Rush Street Interactive’s PlaySuragHouse online casino has announced it will be launching online sports betting integrated with its online casino today (Thursday) in New Jersey

The SugarHouse Online Sportsbook and Casino will be the first online sports betting associated with the license of the Golden Nugget casino in Atlantic City, which has an online affiliation with Philadelphia’s SugarHouse casino.

“Being the first U.S.-based gaming operator to launch a regulated online sportsbook outside of the U.S. (in Colombia) has been helpful in establishing the SugarHouse Online Sportsbook and Casino,” said Rush Street Interactive president Richard Schwartz Wednesday.

Unified player accounts, wallets and bonus points will allow customers to switch between sports betting and online casino gambling, the company said.

New Jersey gambling outlets took in $40.6 million in sports wagers in July, the first full month it was legal.