Boyd Gaming officials on Monday morning announced their plans to launch an online Stardust Casino in Pennsylvania in April.
The company’s executives had previously mentioned the pending site launch in a quarterly earnings call, but they spelled out their intent more completely in a press release Monday.
At the same time, Boyd and its online partner, FanDuel, announced a pending rebranding of FanDuel’s Betfair Casino in New Jersey to also utilize the Stardust name.
The Stardust starts in both states are awaiting regulatory approval.
Boyd owns Valley Forge Casino Resort, through which FanDuel operates Pennsylvania’s most popular online sports betting site. No Stardust Casino ever operated in Pennsylvania, but it was well-known for many years in Las Vegas, and Boyd is hoping to capitalize on its name. Boyd is collaborating with FanDuel on the new site, although FanDuel will also continue its existing Pennsylvania site.
“For nearly 50 years, the Stardust was one of the most famous casinos on the Las Vegas Strip,” Boyd President and CEO Keith Smith said in the press release. “And while the resort has been gone for more than a decade, the Stardust brand is still as well-known and popular as ever.
“We are excited to work with our partners at FanDuel to launch our first real-money online casinos and are confident this legendary brand will give us a significant advantage in connecting with players looking for a distinctive online gaming experience.”
New iGaming site could become the 15th in PA
If no other new iGaming site launches before it, the Stardust Casino would be Pennsylvania’s 15th iCasino. BetMGM PA launched its Borgata brand last month as the 14th.
FanDuel’s site connected to Valley Forge has a platform accommodating both a sportsbook and online casino games, and the Stardust brand without a sportsbook would be using a second iCasino skin belonging to the casino.
The announcement said a single Stardust Casino app will be available for iOS and Android in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania and via the web at stardustcasino.com. It will provide a range of slots and table games, including the live dealer version of those.
While the existing FanDuel site and new Stardust site would operate separately in Pennsylvania and compete for iCasino players, they will share some of the same features.
“The Stardust Casino will be built on FanDuel’s proprietary front-end, apps and player account management system,” the press release said. “Both the Pennsylvania and New Jersey online casinos will be linked to Boyd Gaming’s B Connected player loyalty program, allowing players to earn B Connected points and tier credits for their play on Stardust Casino.”
Announcement of an official launch date for the new site in Pennsylvania is expected after the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board grants approval.
