New Jersey Moving Ahead With Online Gambling Legalisation

12/14/2012 :  NEW JERSEY PRESSING AHEAD WITH ONLINE GAMBLING LEGALISATION (Update)
 
Amended bill scheduled for Assembly vote next Monday
 
New Jersey state Senator Ray Lesniak has been successful in including his bill A2578 among the 28 bills scheduled for voting on Monday December 17, paving the way for Atlantic City land casinos to offer intrastate online casino and poker gambling as well.
Assuming the bill is approved by the Assembly, Lesniak plans to drive it through the state Senate within days, the publication North Jersey.com reports.
 
Lesniak is aware that Gov. Chris Christie may again dig his heels in and exercise his gubernatorial veto, as happened a year ago, and told local reporters this week that he has ‘no idea' which way the governor will move on the issue.
 
He was nevertheless upbeat, claiming there were several reasons why the governor's opposition may have mellowed:
 
* Tough economic times for Atlantic City land casinos, recently exacerbated by falling visitor rates in the wake of superstorm Sandy;
 
* Christie's more positive attitude toward sports betting in New Jersey and preparedness to challenge the big sports leagues and federal government on the PASPA;
 
* Amendments to the bill to make it more palatable to the governor, including removing language that could have provided the state’s racetracks with up to $30 million in purse subsidies, and adding clauses that would prevent “internet cafes” from advertising to attract online gamers.
 
The governor has also had access to expert academic views that no referendum to amend the state constitution would be needed for the state to offer online wagering as long as the servers were based in AC casinos.
 
Lesniak and supporters of the bill believe it will not only raise tax revenues for the state, but enable it to become an internet gambling technology and service hub that would create more employment options for New Jersey residents.
 
The New Jersey legislature has already shown in a previous vote that there is substantial support for Lesniak's proposal; his previous online gaming bill passed 32-4 in the state Senate and 63-11 in the Assembly.