Golden Nugget Sportsbook customers are currently sidelined. The following message appears on the sports betting site:
The SBTech-powered platform went down on March 27 as the result of a cybersecurity threat.
However, the Golden Nugget online casino is not impacted because it operates via a Scientific Games platform.
In New Jersey, the impact also includes:
- Resorts online sportsbook
- BetAmerica Sportsbook
- BetAmerica Casino
Impact on Golden Nugget Sportsbook
As of Tuesday afternoon, the Golden Nugget sports betting site was still down. The operational status remains to be determined.
Thomas Winter, senior vice president and general manager of online gaming for Golden Nugget, addressed the issue with NJ Gambling Sites.
“It’s premature to give an exact timeline, but we hope for the next 48 hours,” said Winter.
So, in the meantime, customers can expect the app to remain in maintenance mode.
“We trust SBT are taking all measures necessary, in close conjunction with regulators, to reopen in a safe fashion,” said Winter.
Leland Moore, spokesman for the New Jersey of Division of Gaming Enforcement, issued the following statement to NJGS:
“The Division of Gaming Enforcement will review and confirm that SB Tech’s operating systems satisfy all of the Division’s performance standards prior to resuming operations.”
Cyberattacks are never good news.
However, the incident comes at a time when the NJ sports betting world is on hold. The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the postponement of major sporting events, which includes the start of the 2020 MLB season.
But from Golden Nugget’s perspective, Winter said sports betting was less than 1% of revenue.
“[Revenue was] even less in the days before the cyberattack because of most sports events being canceled, so the impact is very limited for us now,” said Winter.
Golden Nugget online casino still going strong
The financial impact would be much more severe if the cyberattack shut down Golden Nugget online casino operations.
Its internet gaming revenue is tops among the Garden State’s seven license holders. For February alone, the company generated a market-leading $19.7 million. And that is an 84% year-over-year increase.
The integrated BetAmerica casino and sportsbook app falls under the Golden Nugget license.
But what makes those results more significant is the fact that Atlantic City casinos closed March 16. As long as social distancing guidelines remain in place, the gambling floors will remain shuttered.
Year to date, Golden Nugget’s online portfolio ($40.9 million) has outperformed the land-based operations ($31.1 million).
SugarHouse online casino and Betfair are the other land-based partners.
Getting back in the NJ sports betting game
The Golden Nugget sports wagering app will be up and running again soon. Of course, the bigger issue is being able to offer bettors live sporting events.
Remember, this is the first season the Marina District property is offering NBA betting. Eventually, the league and other pro sports will return.
But will it be safe wagering once the cyberattack issue is resolved?
Golden Nugget customers can be assured that personal information remains safeguarded.
“None of our customers’ personal information is ever sent to SBTech systems because they stay within our players’ account management system, which is not managed by SBTech,” said Winter.