Hard Rock tests online sports betting in New Jersey
Hard Rock has begun testing its online sports betting equipment and systems in New Jersey and plans to be ready before the Super Bowl.
US.- The biggest sporting event in the US, the Super Bowl, is less than one week ahead and Hard Rock wants to have its Atlantic City casino ready to take wagers by next Sunday. As the venue was cleared on Friday to begin testing its equipment and systems, the company began checking its online sports betting operations last weekend.
Hard Rock was authorised to conduct “soft-play” testing by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) on Friday, which is why it rushed to begin on Saturday in order to be ready as soon as possible. The industry has already launched in the state a few months ago but Hard Rock wants to join the market before the big game kicks off next February 3, with both its online and its in-person options, casino president Joe Lupo said.
There are already seven venues offering sports betting in Atlantic City, with only Hard Rock and Caesars left without sportsbooks. The industry was liberalised in May, when the Supreme Court revoked PASPA and allowed New Jersey to legalise it and benefit from the US$94 million revenue generated since then, which translated into US$10.4 million in taxes.
