Resorts Digital shutters its online sportsbook
New Jersey-licensed operator poised to sign "imminent" deal with major global sports betting brand to take third and final skin
Resorts Digital Gaming (RDG) has announced the closure of its New Jersey online sportsbook site pending the “imminent” agreement of a sports betting licensing deal with a major global sports betting brand.
Issuing a statement on the closure, RDG confirmed it was in “advanced discussions” with the unnamed brand, but expected the deal to be signed imminently.
The new sportsbook partner will become the third sports betting skin to operate on the RDG online sports betting license, with the launch of the new brand will be subject to approval from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).
“I can’t wait to announce this exciting deal once it is finalized – it really will give RDG the most diverse stable of sports betting brands in the NJ market,” RDG CEO Ed Andrewes said.
“This will also free up our third sports betting skin, allowing us to focus all our energy on our core casino customers,” Andrewes added.
Updating players with news of the decision on February 14, the New Jersey-licensed ResortsCasino.com website confirmed that players will have until March 1 to access remaining funds.
All outstanding bets, including futures, will be honored, the firm has pledged.
Resorts Digital’s New Jersey sportsbook has been powered by sportsbook supplier SB Tech since July 2018 and was initially under the stewardship of sports betting trading manager Pat Porada, who left Resorts in March 2020.
I'm disappointed to see ResortsCasino exit NJ sports betting. They had some redeeming qualities (10% loss rebate) and never shied away from a wager.
However, once @number1_angie left it was clearly running on autopilot.
Silver lining: A new skin license is available! pic.twitter.com/5Xsm9hYJUi
— Captain Jack Andrews (@capjack2000) February 14, 2022
DraftKings and Fox Bet operate their own sports betting skins on Resorts’ licence, the former accounting for the lion’s share of Resorts Digital’s monthly sports betting and igaming revenue.
DraftKings maintains a physical sportsbook presence in the Resorts casino property, operating a 5,000 square-foot retail sportsbook.
Tribal operator Mohegan Sun and Flutter Entertainment’s PokerStars brand also operate igaming in New Jersey via the Resorts license on a revenue-sharing basis.
According to December figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE), Resorts Digital’s sportsbook generated just $12.3m in internet gaming revenue during the penultimate month of 2021, down from $15.4m 12 months prior.
Despite faltering December numbers, Resorts Digital sportsbook revenue at a full-year 2021 level rose 58% year on year to $159.6m.
In contrast, Resorts Digital’s igaming offering reported a 57% year on year increase in its internet gaming win during December 2021, generating $32.1m.
At a full-year 2021 level, Resorts Digital’s internet gaming win rose 40% year on year to $291m.
The operator has not responded to a request for comment on the decision to shutter its sportsbook at the time of publication of this article.