The outlook is bright for Golden Nugget Casino PA going into 2023. DraftKings, the parent company of Golden Nugget Online Gaming (GNOG), announced during its Q3 earnings call earlier this month that its integration of GNOG onto the DraftKings platform is on track to finish in the second half of 2023.
However, GNOG’s license application as a Qualified Gaming Entity is still pending as of Oct. 26, 2022, with the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board (PGCB).
Overall, its application status has been pending since 2020. But DraftKings executives Paul Liberman, Jason Park and Stanton Dodge’s names are on the application, all of whom are approved for licensure within the state.
Other PA online casinos expected to launch in 2022, such as PlayStar Casino, are also still pending, while PointsBet Casino went live in April. The PGCB does not regularly schedule approvals, but GNOG should be at the top of the list the next time around.
Golden Nugget Casino will play a significant role in DraftKings’ future
DraftKings’ acquisition of GNOG dates back to March. The merger became official in May, at which point DraftKings began integrating Golden Nugget’s employees into the newly-merged entity.
As for Golden Nugget, it has shown interest in the Pennsylvania market since 2021 and still plans to factor into the long-term equation here.
Jason Robins, DraftKings Co-Founder and CEO, expressed excitement about the integration process and the future of Golden Nugget “as a way to penetrate deeper into the iGaming market.”
Pennsylvania online casinos continue to set all-time highs, showing great promise for a second DraftKings offering. iGaming tax revenue looks to surpass $1 billion this month, and Pennsylvania is among the top-three markets in the country, alongside New Jersey and Michigan.
In New Jersey, DraftKings now operates two of the three largest online casinos. Golden Nugget has the highest all-time revenue since debuting its online gambling platform in 2013, and DraftKings sits third on that list via its partnership with Resorts Atlantic City.
Can New Jersey success transfer to Pennsylvania (and beyond)?
In Pennsylvania, GNOG’s pending approval as a Qualified Gaming Entity would allow it to operate from New Jersey instead of forging a new partnership, which is necessary for an iGaming operator license.
Golden Nugget benefitted from being among the first to market in New Jersey, something it will not experience in Pennsylvania. The Keystone State currently has 18 online casinos that it will have to compete with, not counting any others that gain licensure in 2023.
Additionally, Golden Nugget is a top-five operator in Michigan (DraftKings ranks third). Its reputation and name recognition are strong nationwide, and especially in Pennsylvania, given its proximity to Atlantic City.
Though smaller markets, both DraftKings and Golden Nugget also operate online casinos and sportsbooks in West Virginia and sportsbooks in Arizona. Beyond that, it hopes to expand into more new states as opportunities arise.
Regardless, Pennsylvania is one of the biggest prospects. Suppose Golden Nugget can hang with established giants such as BetMGM, FanDuel, Caesars and BetRivers. In that case, it will create a formidable duo alongside DraftKings in one of the most competitive markets in the US.
What to expect from Golden Nugget Casino PA upon launching
Pennsylvanians, first and foremost, should look forward to an attractive first-time deposit bonus at Golden Nugget Casino PA once it launches. In New Jersey, new players can take advantage of over $1,500 worth of bonuses, and we expect something similar to come to Pennsylvania.
We also expect Golden Nugget to offer some of the largest progressive jackpots in the state and a comprehensive game library, including classic titles such as:
- Golden Nugget Megaways
- Mercy of the Gods
- Cleopatra
- Divine Fortune
- Slingo games
- Other Golden Nugget exclusive titles
On top of it all, we look for more features to come before full integration onto the DraftKings platform takes place. We’ll be sure to let you know about any new announcements when they occur.
