Mobile sports betting has come to New Jersey, as DraftKings, in partnership with Resorts Casino Hotel, has launched an app that allows for real-money wagering within state borders.
Made available to bettors on Wednesday, the mobile app is in an invite-only trial period, which is expected to last at least a few days and is the final step before they can get approval from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement for a full rollout.
Mobile Critical to Sports Betting Success
The announcement of the DraftKings Sportsbook app came on the same day that Harrah’s became the fourth casino in Atlantic City to offer sports betting. But while brick-and-mortar sports betting is starting to become commonplace in New Jersey, many believe that the real growth will occur once gamblers throughout the state can start placing their bets online.
The hope is that mobile betting will make the legalized options available at tracks and casinos just as convenient as illegal sports gambling operations, providing yet another reason for bettors to move away from underground bookies.
According to DraftKings CEO Jason Robins, mobile betting also presents an opportunity to create innovations that would be impossible at a brick-and-mortar location.
“Not to say that you can’t innovate on the retail side, but it’s quite literally a limited space,” Robins told ESPN. “Mobile, you can do anything with. There is no limit to where I think this is going to go, with integrations of streaming…the opportunities really are endless as technology advances.”
The app, which is available for both Android and Apple devices, is separate from DraftKings’ daily fantasy sports offerings. However, bettors can use both services from the same account. According to an ESPN report, bettors will also be able to use an option to settle their bets early as the odds change during a game or event. This option may be similar to the settlement offers that are commonly available through some European bookmakers.
More Mobile Apps Coming Soon
While there are now four states that currently offer sports betting, following the launch of sportsbooks at two casinos in Mississippi this week. However, New Jersey is only the second to offer mobile wagering, joining Nevada.
DraftKings and Resorts aren’t going to be the last players in the Garden State to offer mobile betting, either. It’s likely that most or all of the sportsbooks that open in the state will want to expand online as that option becomes available.
Already, others have signaled that their mobile offerings are on their way. MGM CEO Jim Murren said on Tuesday that the Borgata expects to start its mobile operations before the end of the week, while Caesars Entertainment, FanDuel, and The Stars Group would all like to have online sports betting available before the NFL season begins. As of Thursday morning, none of those companies had received approval from state regulators to launch their mobile options.