Online Casino First To Launch Betting On Virtual Sporting Events In U.S.New Jersey-Licensed Platform Prepares For Supreme Court Ruling |
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An online gambling platform in the ring-fenced New Jersey market has rolled out real-money wagering on virtual sporting events such as soccer, horse and car races.
The move comes from Rush Street Interactive’s PlaySugarHouse.com online casino. It’s the first in the country to offer such a product over the internet, according to a press release. The launch happened last week.
“We are excited to lead the way in bringing online virtual [sports betting] to the United States with our debut in New Jersey,” said Richard Schwartz, President of Rush Street Interactive.
The firm partnered with London-based Inspired Entertainment, which developed the technology behind the games. Virtual sports betting has been around for online gamblers in Europe since at least 2013.
Bettors can wager on an “endless” line-up of simulated races and matches. Soccer is currently the only team sport offered in New Jersey, but more are in the pipeline, Rush Street said.
After placing a wager, gamblers can watch the live stream of the event, “just like watching the real life events,” the company said. The games are regulated by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. The Garden State is one of four in the country with legal online casino gambling, though Pennsylvania, which legalized in October, hasn’t launched any games yet.
The parent company, Rush Street Gaming, operates brick-and-mortar casinos across a few states, including Rivers Casino in Pittsburgh, SugarHouse Casino in Philadelphia, Rivers Casino in Des Plaines, Illinois and Rivers Casino and Resort in Schenectady, New York.
Why virtual sports betting? Betting on real-life sports games is limited to Nevada. However, on Monday the U.S. Supreme Court is set to consider repealing a 1992 federal law that banned the activity outside of a few states. Experts say that antiquated statute has fueled a nearly $150 billion sports betting black market in America.
Schwartz told the Associated Press that the foray into virtual sports gambling will help the firm prepare for offering real-money online wagering on real-life games.
“It’s computer-generated, and not based on any current active live sports event, so it’s not legally considered sports betting,” he said. “You can acquire a database of people with an interest in sports betting.”
The Supreme Court is expected to rule on the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act of 1992 sometime in the first half of 2018.
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