UPDATED: New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Shuts Down PlayUp Sports Betting

• The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement revoked the transactional waivers allowing PlayUp to conduct sports betting in New Jersey on July 19
• In a three page letter, the DGE said PlayUp failed to respond to a request for “certain financial information related to PlayUp’s New Jersey operation”
• The DGE also outlined several other instances of the operator’s non-compliance and determined it could not offer real money sports wagering in the state

UPDATE: PlayUp requested its Colorado sportsbook be placed into maintenance mode where active betting and customer deposits are suspended. The Colorado Division of Gaming granted the request. 

PlayUp Interactive is no longer licensed to accept transactions in the New Jersey sports betting or iGaming markets, according to the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement.

In a three page letter sent to PlayUp Interactive Chief Executive Officer Daniel Simic, the NJ DGE outlined its reasoning for revoking the operator’s transactional waivers to conduct internet gaming and sports betting in the state.

Since July 19, customers attempting to reach the PlayUp online sportsbook in New Jersey have been greeted with this message.

As others have noted, PlayUp New Jersey is currently offline. Here's the message on their landing page.

"The reason for this change is our strong commitment to transforming our product offering and streamlining our service into an unparalleled sports betting experience" pic.twitter.com/oSa3HvTrMf

— RLinnehanXL (@RLinnehanXl) July 20, 2023

No New Bets Being Taken

The NJ DGE has limited PlayUp’s ability to take new bets or deposits in the state, but existing customers are still able to withdraw funds and all open bets must be honored.

In its letter, the DGE requested “certain financial information related to PlayUp’s New Jersey operation,” which the company did not fully complete after a final request sent was sent on July 14, 2023. On July 17, 2023, the DGE advised the operator that it was not responsive and had not provided the additional financial information requested by the division.

Additionally, the DGE said it was aware that PlayUp had several other instances of non-compliance. According to the DGE, they are as follows:

• PlayUp has outstanding invoices owed to the Division.
• PlayUp has significantly reduced its employee head count in New Jersey, with numerous officers departing from the company. There is currently no “head of the New Jersey Office” physically located in New Jersey, with you (Simic) advising that you are serving in that role while located out of State. Staff that filled other integral roles including Chief Operations Officer, head of product, head of sportsbook, and head of compliance are also no longer employed by PlayUp.
• PlayUp claims to be investigating a potential fraud charge for a patron that requested withdrawal in March 2023, but never notified the Division and cannot explain the delay in finalizing the investigation.

According to the DGE, PlayUp’s continued non-compliance and inability to comply with the financial requests “demonstrate that it is currently unable to offer real money sports wagering to New Jersey customer at the standard required by Division statues and regulations.”

Prior to any re-authorization of transactional waivers, the DGE notes that PlayUp must resubmit its entire platform for testing and satisfy a technical and licensed compliance review, as well as satisfy all financial inquiries and money owed to the state.

PlayUp Still Live in Colorado

As of 4:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 20, PlayUp still seems to be live and online in the Colorado sports betting market. PlayUp was only live in two states, Colorado and New Jersey, before having its sports betting and iGaming offerings revoked in the Garden State.

A notice on the PlayUp website says that PlayUp Iowa is “coming soon.”

PlayUp was tethered to Freehold Racetrack and Harrah’s Casino, Atlantic City in New Jersey.