Resorts Casino Abandons PokerStars to Sign Deal with Sportech

The Resorts Casino Hotel recently announced that it has signed a partnership with UK based gaming provider Sportech. Resorts initially hoped to form an agreement with PokerStars, but decided to pursue other options after its partner was suspended from operating in New Jersey for two years. Both Resorts and Sportech are optimistic about their opportunities in New Jersey.

Sportech will be collaborating with the NYX Gaming Group to provide the technology needed to offer online gambling to New Jersey residents. Each company has reportedly invested $2 million to develop the new platform. Sportech confirmed that players will be able to play blackjack, slots and roulette. The online gaming community was surprised that the agreement didn't make any reference to online poker, but it may be on the list of games in the future.

Ian Penrose, the Chief Operating Officer of NYX, said that the new deal will be highly beneficial to his company as well. He said that the U.S. online gambling market is a huge opportunity that the company can't afford to ignore. The new deal in New Jersey will pave the way for the company to pursue future licenses in other jurisdictions.

While the new deal is a huge opportunity for NYX and Sportech, it may be a disappointment for Amaya Gaming. Amaya CEO David Baazov recently stated that the company plans to acquire the Rational Group and offer online gambling in New Jersey through the PokerStars brand. Baazov was hoping to revive the partnership with the Resorts Casino, but that decision appears to be in jeopardy. A recent article from Gaming Intelligence speculates that the Rational Group may still work with Resorts in some capacity, but it seems that it will need to find a partnership with another brick and mortar casino to operate in the Garden State.