Pending iGaming legislation could create over 35,000 jobs in New Jersey over the next decade according to the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA) .
State bill 490, sponsored by State Senators Raymond Lesniak and Joseph Kyrillos, is sitting on Governor Chris Christie’s desk. If signed, New Jersey would become the first state to sponsor legal internet gambling.
iMEGA released a statement about the potential economic impact, ““New Jersey data centres and bandwidth providers could be about to hit the jackpot if a new intra-state gaming bill is signed into law this week.”
“Experts estimate that bill S490, which seeks to modernise and regulate Internet gaming within the state of New Jersey, could create 35,000 jobs for the technology industry as well as generate significant fiscal revenues that could help to close the state’s ailing budget deficit.”
According to a poll by iMEGA, 85% of the respondents are in favor of the pro-gambling legislation.
“Thirty-two percent of these respondents are ‘gamers’ and core supporters of online gaming while 52 percent are ‘economic pragmatists’, who, while not actually participating in gambling themselves, said that they supported the rights of those who choose to do so and welcomed the potential boom to the New Jersey economy,” read the statement from iMEGA.
“The fast-paced and extremely high-tech nature of the iGaming industry is a boon to any economy,” said Justin Bellinger, Business Development Director for Cable & Wireless.
“The complex technology required to support these operations requires an expansive and skilled workforce dedicated to supporting the operation around-the-clock. Specialist hosting facilities, information security skills and network operations centres overlay the underlying foundations of large and stable Internet and power links.
“There isn’t a more demanding proving ground for eCommerce activities than the gaming industry. In the jurisdictions that I have worked in this had led to many opportunities outside the gaming sector that simply were not available before the hosting, bandwidth and skills required to support the gaming industry were developed.”
Christie has until March 3rd to veto the bill. If left alone, it will become law on March 4th.
UPDATE – Governor Christie has vetoed the bill. The fight must go on.