SiGMA Play, a B2C affiliate portal, has secured an affiliate licence from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement’s Casino Licensing Bureau.

A branch of the SiGMA Group brand, the SiGMA Play website was launched in 2020.

The acquisition serves to highlight the brand’s commitment to enter the North American market and will be applicable across the Group’s emerging tech and iGaming verticals – AIBC, and SiGMA, as well as all CasinoBee brands.

In the words of Mex Emini, MD of SiGMA Play, “We are thrilled to share the exciting news that we have successfully acquired an iGaming licence for the state of New Jersey. This significant achievement grants us the opportunity to position ourselves as the authority for everything iGaming, bringing transparent entertainment opportunities and a unique experience to players of New Jersey.”  

Eight US states, including New Jersey, currently require affiliate licensing: Arizona, Colorado, Indiana, Louisiana (determined by revenue), Michigan, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. 

With a population nearing the 10 million mark (9,288,994 at the time of the 2020 Census), the Garden State opened its doors to online gambling back in 2013. One of the largest states to have done so to date. 

State of play: New Jersey leads the pack

The DGE’s March 2023 gaming revenue results showed that for that month, online gaming wins reported by casinos and their partners was $165.7 million, a rise of 17.8 percent compared to $140.7 million for March 2022. 

Sports wagering gross revenue reported by casinos, racetracks, and their partners was $93 million for March 2023, a 40.1 percent increase compared to last March.

In May 2019, New Jersey surpassed Nevada to become the largest sports betting market in the US, with $318.9 million in bets. Since then, the state has seen remarkable growth, setting new revenue records. In 2021 alone, New Jersey generated a total of $815 million in sports betting revenue. January 2022 was particularly impressive, with over $1.3 billion in wagers and more than $60 million in revenue collected. New Jersey continues to shine as a powerhouse in the thriving world of sports betting.

“We have seen tremendous growth in sports wagering and online gaming in New Jersey,” agreed DGE Director David Rebuck during a keynote speech delivered to regulators and industry representatives at the East Coast Gaming Congress – held at the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Atlantic City this April.

SiGMA Group’s Legal Counsel, Marianna Tavella went on to say,  “A small win for our legal and compliance team at SiGMA! We aim to stay compliant with the ever-changing licensing landscape. We’re excited with SiGMA Play’s fast growth and look forward to entering new markets in North America and beyond.” 

Supreme Court decision on PASPA celebrates its 5th anniversary

New Jersey has been instrumental in overturning the Professional and Amateur Sports Betting Act (PASPA). In 1992, the US Congress passed PASPA, banning nationwide sports betting. New Jersey fought back in 2011 with a referendum and state law allowing sports betting. Legal challenges followed until 2018 when the Supreme Court declared PASPA unconstitutional. William Hill’s Monmouth Park Sports Book became the first to offer sports betting, joined by companies like FanDuel and DraftKings. 

The first year saw $2.9 billion in bets and $200 million in revenue, with DraftKings alone handling 20 million bets and $600 million in payouts. A transformative victory for sports betting in America.

Ensuring compliance: The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE)

The Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) serves as the law enforcement agency and investigative body responsible for upholding the Casino Control Act and ensuring compliance within the casino regulatory system. 

Additionally, the DGE undertakes the task of reviewing and auditing the operations of casino-hotel establishments to ensure adherence to regulatory standards. 

It plays a vital role in investigating and prosecuting all crimes associated with casinos, such as fraud, money laundering, theft, and cheating. Moreover, the DGE carries out comprehensive testing procedures to evaluate the functionality and compliance of casino slot machines, casino floor systems, and Internet gaming platform systems before their deployment. The state is also the only jurisdiction that requires yearly evaluations of the relationship of online gambling and sports wagering to problem gambling. 

SiGMA Play

In 2020 the SiGMA Group branched into affiliation, generating valuable traffic for iGaming operators and offering a one-stop-shop solution for the gaming sector through the launch of SiGMA Play. 

SiGMA Play is an internationally renowned site for online casinos and sportsbooks, featuring online reviews, bonuses, and guides for players navigating the casino game industry. Their industry experience and knowledge bring valuable and trustworthy advice to players everywhere.

The site offers quality content, where operators are clearly represented, and customers can find the best casinos catering to their needs.