Trump Plaza online bets can continue

ATLANTIC CITY (AP) — New Jersey casino regulators will let Betfair continue to take Internet bets after its brick-and-mortar casino partner, Trump Plaza, closes later this month.

David Rebuck, director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement, told The Associated Press on Friday he will allow Betfair to continue operating online up until the point where Trump Plaza surrenders its casino license.

That will not take place for some time after Trump Plaza's Sept. 16 shutdown.

Rebuck says there should be plenty of time for Betfair, based in London, to seek an alliance with a different Atlantic City casino, should it choose to do so.

"They want to remain fully functional and stay in New Jersey, and we will work with them to do that," Rebuck said.

Betfair did not immediately respond to requests for comment Friday.

Betfair and Trump Plaza have won $4.3 million from gamblers through the first seven months of this year, tied for last place with Taj Mahal and its online partner Ultimate Gaming. Borgata, the online market leader, has won $27.1 million, and Caesars Interactive has won $21.2 million through July.

Under New Jersey law, an Internet company must partner with an existing bricks-and-mortar casino if it wants to offer online gambling.

Betfair could either partner with a casino that already offers Internet gambling, or it could team with one that does not yet offer online bets.

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