Legislatures in New Jersey are continuing their support for a bill which would legalize online gaming within their borders. After clearing its second small committee, the measure will now face a full vote before both New Jersey’s General Assembly and State Senate. Though no particular date for the tallying has yet been set, optimism is running high in the gaming industry.
Known as Senate Bill 1565, the proposed law would allow Atlantic City-based casinos to offer remote wagering games to residents of the Garden State. This is the second such proposal to advance to this level, following the eventual veto of a similar bill last year. After addressing some of Governor Chris Christie’s concerns, online gambling enthusiasts are back for another round.
One group primed to take advantage of a potential legalization happens to be headed by a rather familiar face. Donald Trump’s entry into the gaming business has long shown interest in the revenue generating power of internet gaming.
“Currently,” commented Trump Entertainment Resorts CEO Robert Griffin, “millions of Americans engage in online gaming with illegal offshore operators with no oversight, no regulation and no consumer protection. The state should regulate this activity, enforce strict standards to ensure the games are fair and collect revenues rather than allow profits and jobs to illegally go overseas… The state of New Jersey must be in the forefront of legalizing this emerging marketplace.”
With legislation flagging on the national level, many states are re-examining their intra-state stance. According to New Jersey General Assembly member John Burzichelli, now’s the time for the Garden State to step forward.
“Nothing can happen outside our state borders,” he told the Wall Street Journal, “unless the federal government acts and that’s not likely anytime soon.”