Borgata Casino is no longer just a New Jersey operation.
As of this week, February 24th, the Borgata app is live on both sides of the Benjamin Franklin Bridge thanks to a market access partnership with Rivers Casino Philadelphia.
The brand has a large following in the Garden State, as the MGM-owned property is Atlantic City’s top-grossing casino.
“There are few casino brands as reputable as Borgata, evident by the success we’ve seen with the Borgata Casino app in New Jersey,” said BetMGM CEO Adam Greenblatt.
“Pennsylvania marks a significant milestone for us as we introduce the Borgata Casino brand to the first state outside New Jersey. We’re confident that players in Pennsylvania will enjoy the digital gaming experience of Atlantic City’s premier casino.”
PlayNJ caught up with Matt Sunderland, VP of Gaming for BetMGM, regarding the expansion of Borgata online.
Borgata is definitely famous and trusted
From a New Jersey standpoint, the Borgata app has been around for seven-plus years. Combined with Borgata’s land-based success, it should come as no surprise when Sunderland says, “There are few casino brands as famous and trusted as the Borgata.”
He notes that this is evident from the success they’ve seen with the Borgata Casino app in New Jersey.
“Our players in New Jersey are very loyal to the Borgata brand, and we believe we can generate similar loyalty from players in Pennsylvania. We see this as a huge advantage for our entry into the PA market,” said Sunderland.
So, although until now Borgata online gamblers were restricted to playing only in NJ, the current database includes Keystone State customers.
“We also have a strong player database of Pennsylvania residents who have visited the Borgata or used Borgata online in the past, in New Jersey, and we are confident that those players will be thrilled to now have access to the thrills of gambling at Atlantic City’s premier casino digitally, from wherever they’re located in PA,” said Sunderland.
Contrasting 2013 kick off vs . 2021 launch
It should come as no surprise that the Borgata’s PA app is launching with nearly double the amount of games compared to its 2013 NJ debut.
When Borgata launched in New Jersey, it had 98 games, while the Pennsylvania catalog features over 180 titles. This includes live dealer, third-party content, and in-house games.
Granted, it has been over seven years since then.
However, the PA app is still smaller compared to the current Borgata app available to NJ players, which currently offers 645 options and continues to grow.
“We release new games every week from third-party providers and our in-house games studio, so expect that number to keep increasing. The overall player experience is completely different now from what it was back in 2013, obviously,” said Sunderland.
“Our casino interfaces and software have been upgraded multiple times, and we’ve introduced a range of in-house content with industry-leading player engagement tools and mechanics.”
Additionally, players in both states can enjoy the integration of BetMGM with MGM Resorts’ M life Rewards program.
So, just like in NJ, Borgata casino customers in Pennsylvania can redeem their gameplay for accommodations at properties across the country, including Borgata.
Borgata NEW JERSEY account will never work in PENNSYLVANIA
So, the Borgata NJ and PA apps have similarities, yet at the same time, they are quite distinct.
Furthermore, NJ online casino customers often travel between states, whether it is for work-related purposes or simply for entertainment.
While the Borgata app is live in the Garden State, for corporate compliance reasons, NJ players need to re-register in order to play across state lines. Sunderland stated that account details can remain the same, but each state requires players to register separately.
Borgata and BetMGM still increasing
Aside from the PA launch information, it’s no secret that the Borgata and BetMGM brands (also live in Pennsylvania) are playing a significant role in the NJ online gambling industry, setting monthly records. The latest being January’s all-time high of $103 million. Borgata reported $28.7 million in monthly revenue, which is up an impressive 176.8 percent year-over-year. Among the seven license holders, Borgata is ranked second behind Golden Nugget’s $31 million.
Since state authorities do not break down reports by operator, it’s difficult to gauge how well individual brands are performing. Sunderland noted that Borgata and BetMGM have different player bases but both have experienced similar growth trajectories in New Jersey in 2020.
Now that the two brands are live just a short car trip away, it seems likely that they will only get better.
Bill Gelman has been reporting on the NJ betting market since 2018, around the time when the Garden State launched sports betting. Bill transitioned from being the lead writer for PlayNJ and NJ Gambling Websites to his current role as managing editor in 2020. In addition to providing in-depth analysis on NJ betting market trends and news, Bill frequently conducts exclusive interviews with Ocean City casino industry experts to offer readers comprehensive coverage. Bill holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ithaca College. He has also written for other Dipendenza Media websites, including The Lines, Legal Sports Report, PlayPennsylvania, and PlayCanada.
