And then there were three.
The DraftKings SportsBook monopoly on New Jersey mobile sports betting lasted a matter of a couple of weeks. The last two days brought the rollout of two more entrants into the space. Borgata’s playMGM app made its debut Wednesday, while Sugarhouse Casino quickly followed 24 hours later.
The latter is especially noteworthy from the standpoint of its customer interface — Sugarhouse’s online/mobile wagering is directly integrated into its existing online casino. This format marks a first for New Jersey, as the other two digital sportsbooks to debut so far are expected to strictly remain stand-alone entities.
Borgata’s New Jersey sports betting pioneering efforts continue
For Borgata, its early entry into another aspect of the nascent New Jersey sports betting market keeps it among the most proactive operators in the state in the early going. The casino also co-spearheaded (along with Monmouth Park) the momentous launch of land-based, single-game sports betting in a state other than Nevada back on June 14.
The playMGM app offers different odds and lines than its Nevada counterpart, but the list of betting options and wagerable sporting events is expected to mirror those offered in the Silver State. The app is currently available exclusively for Android users, although an iOS-compatible version is expected in the near future.
Sugarhouse sportsbook has something for everyone
Meanwhile, the Rush Street Interactive-operated Sugarhouse sportsbook is featured prominently on the PlaySugarHouse.com website homepage. A “Sports Bets” link at the top leads to the main page for wagers, with a vertical column on the left-hand side featuring tabs for all major sports. A “My Bet History” tab sits atop the list.
The page’s center panel features a running list of live lines and odds arranged by sport as well. As per the press release officially announcing the sportsbook’s debut, Sugarhouse will display odds in three different ways so as to accommodate everyone from novice to seasoned bettors:
- American odds (for those familiar with Las Vegas-style betting)
- Fractional odds (for those more accustomed to horse racing-based wagering)
- Decimal odds (for those newer to sports betting.
Sugarhouse Casino features the customary array of wagering options, including:
- Point spreads
- Moneylines
- Run Lines
- Over/Unders
- Parlays
- Futures
- Partial Game Wagering
- Team/Individual Prop Bets
- In-game Wagering
The final bet type on that list puts Sugarhouse in the company of DraftKings Sportsbook once again. Sugarhouse is deploying a similar “live ticket” system to that offered by DraftKings Sportsbook, wherein players can cash out a betting ticket at any point during the sporting event it pertains to. A live and dynamic cashout total is displayed during a game or match, enabling bettors to pull the trigger if and when they wish to.
Seamless integration with online casino
The decision for full integration of the Sugarhouse’s sportsbook into its online casino portal leaves it poised to appreciably enhance the customer experience from a convenience standpoint. Sports betting will be integrated with the casino’s reward program, allowing customers to accumulate credits and bonus points for all of their sports wagering activity.
Additionally, the utility of the online “wallet” they already use for their game play on Sugarhouse’s extensive array of slots and table games will extend to sports betting as well. Joint promotions from Sugarhouse incorporating traditional online casino games and sports betting are a virtual certainty in the future.
Sugarhouse’s online sportsbook is also available through dedicated smart device applications for both iOS and Android products. The former is available through Apple’s App Store, while the latter is downloadable through PlaySugarHouse.com.
