New Jersey Internet Gambling Bill Set for February 26 Vote
New Jersey leaders announced on Monday that they support the changes to the intrastate online gambling bill proposed by Governor Chris Christie (pictured), who conditionally vetoed the legislation last Thursday. “An Act Authorizing Internet Gaming at Atlantic City Casinos under Certain Circumstances” (A2578 in the General Assembly and S1565 in the Senate) would legalize and regulate all internet casino gaming, including poker, craps, and blackjack. A vote is scheduled for February 26, according to eGaming Review.
—
Daily fantasy sports is legal to wager on in most states in the USA. Check out DraftKings.comfor your shot at turning $1 into $100,000 today. Visit DraftKingstoday.
—
Both the Assembly and Senate overwhelmingly approved their respective bills in December, sending them to the Governor’s desk for final approval. As the noon deadline for Christie’s decision drew near last Thursday, rumors were flying that he would not give it his thumbs-up.
In the end, he conditionally vetoed the measure, meaning that he largely approved of the legislation, but would not bring it across the finish line until it was amended to his liking. In order for the Act to become law, the New Jersey Legislature must make the necessary changes, vote again to pass the measure, and send it back to the Governor for another look. Should he like what he sees, he would then pass the bill and New Jersey would be able to partake in a new intrastate online gambling age.
Fortunately, his proposed changes are fairly minor and both Senate President Steve Sweeneyand Assembly Speaker Sheila Oliver have said they intend to have their respective legislative bodies vote on the amended bills by the end of this month.
The change that will likely be viewed as the most significant is an increase in the tax on internet gaming gross revenues from 10% to 15%. That said, it is not expected to be a hurdle. In addition, Christie wants elected officials to disclose “past and present representation of entities seeking or holding internet gaming licensees,” additional funding for problem gambling treatment programs, and a “sunset period” of ten years, after which the online gambling laws will be re-evaluated and either be allowed to expire or extended.
In a show of support for the Governor’s proposed changes, Sweeney said in a press release, “Internet gaming will be a crucial boost to Atlantic City as we continue our efforts to revitalize the area. The economic benefits to the region will mean additional revenue, additional jobs, and additional growth. It cannot be stressed enough how important it was that New Jersey be ahead of the curve on internet gaming.”
State Senator Raymond Lesniak (pictured), a prime sponsor of the legislation and one of online gambling’s most vocal supporters in the state, echoed Sweeney’s sentiments, saying, “Internet gaming will provide a lifeline to New Jersey casinos by producing more jobs and additional revenue. It will help casinos recover from the gaming losses that have plagued them in recent years. It could even save some casinos from closing their doors.”
Assemblyman Ruben J. Ramos, Jr., another of the bill’s sponsors, applauded what many in the poker community see as a common sense approach to the internet and gambling, commenting, “The internet has long been a reality, and internet gaming in New Jersey should now be reality too.”
Once the bill is converted to law, it will be a minimum of 90 days before any games could be offered, but no more than six months. Initially, the only people who will be allowed to play on the sites are adults age 21 and over who are located within New Jersey borders. There is a clause in the legislation, however, that would permit the participation of people outside New Jersey provided their involvement does not violate Federal or state law.
Want the latest poker headlines and interviews? Follow PocketFives on Twitterand Like PocketFives on Facebook. You can also subscribe to our RSS feed.
