Twelve casinos seek online gaming permits in New Jersey

July 1 (Reuters) - All 12 Atlantic City casinos took the first step to secure Internet gaming permits ahead of a Sunday deadline set by New Jersey regulators, who are preparing for the start of statewide online poker and other gaming targeted for a November start.

Borgata, co-owned by Boyd Gaming and MGM Resorts , and Caesars Entertainment were among the casino operators who notified state regulators of their plans to partner with an Internet gaming provider, according to Lisa Spengler, a spokeswoman for New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE).

The notifications were a requirement for companies who want to begin Internet gaming as soon as it goes live in the state. Regulators have said the earliest online gaming will start in New Jersey is Nov. 23 but it could be pushed into 2014.

"For applicants that meet this filing deadline, the Division will be in a position to determine if they can commence Internet gaming operations by the go-live date," Spengler said.

New Jersey in February became the third state after Nevada and Delaware to legalize online gambling. Big casinos see New Jersey as the most lucrative opportunity based on its size and the fact its law encompasses many forms of gambling beyond, for example, Nevada's online poker-only bill.

Analysts project Nevada's online gambling market will yield $50 million to $250 million in annual revenue, while New Jersey is pegged to generate $500 million to $1 billion yearly.

Licensure to offer Web gaming will be limited to New Jersey's 12 land-based casinos, which are partnering with online gaming companies, some of them overseas.

Other operators that applied to offer online gaming include Donald Trump's Trump Entertainment Resorts; the Tropicana Casino and Resort, sold in a bankruptcy sale to a group of creditors led by Carl Icahn in 2009; and The Golden Nugget, owned by Landry's Inc. (Reporting by Susan Zeidler and Lisa Richwine; Editing by Tim Dobbyn)