PokerStars Could Team Up With Resorts Hotel & Casino

PokerStars has been waiting a long time to re-launch its operations in the United States and that wait is most likely coming to an end. The struggling online poker market in New Jersey is expected to grant PokerStars its online poker license and allow the biggest online poker website access in New Jersey.

Most state governments have been reluctant to offer PokerStars a gambling license after the infamous Black Friday. However that stance changed after PokerStars was acquired by Canadian based Amaya Gaming and has fulfilled all the criteria laid out by New Jersey for obtaining an online poker license.

PokerStars will most likely collaborate with the Resorts Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City who will serve as PokerStars local land based partner.

If the license is approved, then the Resorts Hotel & Casino will make provision for a special poker room that will allow PokerStars to provide online poker services within the casino. The CEO for Resorts Hotel & Casino, Morris Bailey stated that he was happy to partner with PokerStars and expects regulators to complete the final steps of the process in the coming weeks.

However industry analysts believe that until a license is issued, it is hard to predict that exact period as to when PokerStars will launch because Governor Chris Christie is not inclined in welcoming PokerStars to New Jersey.

Ray Lesniak, a New Jersey Senator has publically stated that Gov Christie has objected and delayed PokerStars introduction to New Jersey because her party receives large donations from Las Vegas Sands Chairman Sheldon Adelson who is one of the biggest anti-online poker campaigners.

The online gambling market in New Jersey went through a rough period in 2014 and forced operators such as Ultimate Poker and Betfair to shut down operations and exit the New Jersey market. The player pool in New Jersey is limited and gaming regulators are considering a multi-state poker network similar to the one that Nevada and Delaware have currently adopted.

The introduction of PokerStars into the New Jersey market could provide the stagnated online poker market with a much needed boost and cause a spike in online poker player traffic. In a statement, David Baazov, CEO of Amaya Gaming said

As it relates to New Jersey I would say that we feel that this is coming. We would expect to receive and launch in the next quarter