New Jersey online casino players at BetMGM and Borgata can now play real slot machines while on-the-go.
News comes by way of a BetMGM statement published on August 13, detailing an agreement with Aristocrat-owned technology firm, Awager. Core to this accord is the availability of land-based slot machines within online verticals across BetMGM and Borgata, in which land-based machines are streamed directly to players' devices.
Transforming land-based slots into online experiences
The move seeks to merge the pick-up-and-play nature of online slots and high-fidelity, land-based gaming terminals, delivering improved immersion for users.
BetMGM and Borgata are leveraging proprietary remote gaming technology developed by Awager to provide real-time, high-definition streams of physical slot machines for players. According to BetMGM, such a maneuver can "bridge the gap" between online wagering and authentic physical play.
For players, the partnership unlocks access to land-based gaming terminals in a live-stream format on mobile and desktop – not dissimilar to live dealer rooms also available at BetMGM and Borgata.
Popular Aristocrat Gaming slots now available online
BetMGM confirmed that 50 gaming terminals are available to online casino players at launch, with more than 30 titles included in the initial project rollout.
The brand hinted at some of the slot experiences users can expect, outlining that several popular games designed by Aristocrat Gaming are supported. Specifically, BetMGM named progressive jackpot titles Buffalo Ascension and Lightning Link as two noteworthy slots which are available.
Buffalo Ascension: Jackpots over American plains
Buffalo Ascension is set deep in the Great Plains, with eagles, cougars, wolves and elk filling out the main paying symbols. Buffalo symbols are also on the docket, as the highest paying ways to win symbol.
The main draw comes in the form of Buffalo Ascension's distinct stampede-style bonus features:
- Stampede: A herd of buffalo charges down the screen, leaving valuable buffalo symbols across the reels.
- Super Stampede: A greater number of buffalo appears across a larger grid area.
- Free Games: No-cost spins bolstered by multipliers.
Each bonus feature – plus wilds, expanding reels and jackpots – are available to online casino players who live stream Buffalo Ascension with BetMGM or Borgata via Awager's in-house software.
Lightning Link: Multiple games in one
Unlike Buffalo Ascension, Lightning Link does not refer to a single game, but rather an umbrella collection of slots. There are 12 products in total, such as Bengal Treasures and Dragon's Riches and each carries a unique setting.
Despite being separated on a game-by-game basis, the Lightning Link series is deeply connected when it comes to bonuses. Typically, special features take shape as follows:
- Free Games: Free spins featuring expanding wilds, big symbols, multipliers and other original accoutrements.
- Hold & Spin: Six or more orb symbols will lock in place to trigger three respins, resetting whenever a new orb lands. The orbs collected pay their credit value or award a Mini, Minor or Major jackpot.
- Grand Jackpot: Linked across Lightning Link machines in the same venue and awarded by filling in every spot in Hold & Spin.
Online casino players at BetMGM and Borgata can access Lightning Link titles available within their chosen slot terminal through Awager while connected to the internet.
Studio game streaming in 4K video
When playing Lightning Link, Buffalo Ascension and other live-streaming-capable terminals, players should expect to experience 4K visuals and real-time responsiveness across games.
Each spin streamed through Awager's internal technology is designed to accurately reflect player input and, as described by BetMGM, there is a concerted effort to recreate the casino floor's "trusted gaming experience" in an online space.
Representatives from BetMGM and Aristocrat touched on the importance of such specialized, innovative technology in the modern industry. Superna Kalle, Aristocrat Chief Strategy Officer, pointed to authentic, reliable gameplay as being central to new products:
"Bringing land-based play online is at the heart of our mission to deliver a truly authentic casino experience straight to players' devices," explained Kalle.
"We're incredibly proud to partner with BetMGM on this launch and continue expanding access to real slot machine play. Together, we're creating new ways for players to enjoy the games they love while preserving the authenticity and trust that make the land-based casino experience so compelling."
Those sentiments were echoed by BetMGM Director of Gaming, Rob Passerino, who stated that this is the first of an expansive collaboration alongside Awager:
"At BetMGM, we're committed to bringing new and innovative gaming experiences to our players. The addition of Awager's live slots offering creates an exciting new way for our players to engage with slot machines digitally. This is just the beginning of our partnership and we look forward to continuing to work together to explore new opportunities that further enhance the BetMGM online casino experience."
Awager builds on existing US operator partnerships
Founded in 2010, as a traditional gaming project company created by veterans from 888 Holdings, Awager underwent a company-wide relaunch in 2020 – transitioning to become a casino-focused technology firm, with its patented technologies being registered in 16 countries.
Pertinently, this latest venture with BetMGM and Borgata is the most recent industry deal of its kind for Awager.
Previously, FanDuel launched Awager slots live in New Jersey in June 2025, with 119 machines. Also in 2025, Awager entered into a contract with Caesars Entertainment, which saw the gambling operator construct a 937-square-foot glass studio housing 25 physical slot terminals, in partnership with Awager.
Similar to its BetMGM arrangement, Awager's deal with Caesars and FanDuel paved the way for the live-streaming of land-based casino products.
That product line is known as Remote Reels and continues to serve players from its Tropicana Atlantic City venue in New Jersey.
As such, the BetMGM-Awager agreement represents key growth for the technology brand. The announcement also comes at a crucial moment for Awager; as the company said it has recently built an EU-facing studio and is beginning to roll out products in Europe.
