An attempt to acquire the Atlantic Club Casino by PokerStars parent company The Rational Group has hit a snag, as the initial agreement between the casino's owner and the poker giant required that Rational acquire an interim casino license by April 26th.
It is not thought that the issue will be a deal breaker for the two firms, as the two firms are thought to be continuing the process. Rational's attempt at getting an interim casino license has been hampered by delays, some of which are administrative, and some caused by U.S. based lobbying group the American Gaming Association.
The AGA has objected to Rational's attempt to acquire the casino noting that PokerStars was operating in the United States after the implementation of the UIGEA, which was passed in 2006. Those who follow casino news regularly will know that PokerStars, along with several other big name sites were severely sanctioned and kicked out of the American gaming market in 2011.
If the Rational Group acquires the Atlantic Club Casino, it will be in good shape to offer internet poker and casino games to New Jersey residents. The Garden State passed a law earlier this year which legalizes online gambling in the state, but noted that all operators must have a land based casino presence.