According to reports, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has apparently changed his mind regarding the regulation and licensing of online gaming, including poker, in the state.
On NorthJersey.com, writer John Brennan’s “Meadowlands Matters” blog reported Wednesday afternoon that the discussions regarding the regulation of online gaming are ramping up, although a bill that was on the fast track to Governor Christie’s desk will not be heard in front of a committee today nor will be voted on next week. The author of that bill, State Senator Ray Lesniak, believes, however, that the bill will be approved “soon,” according to Brennan.
Mr. Brennan provides a statement from Governor Christie regarding the ongoing efforts to regulate internet gaming in New Jersey. “We’re working hard with Senator Lesniak to try to get it right,” Governor Christie is reported to have said. “Here’s my view on it. I think New Jersey should be in that business. I think we should be an epicenter for that business, but I want to do it right. I do not want to rush and get legislation that either doesn’t pass state constitutional muster or creates other problems for us.”
“Folks should know I favor it, I want to do it,” Christie says in the statement, seemingly defending himself. “I vetoed the last bill because I felt that it would open up the opportunity for there to be internet gambling houses all over the State of New Jersey. I don’t think that’s what anybody wants. But, I think being able to have this be an Atlantic City centric thing is something that makes sense to me. And given the Justice Department’s go ahead for people to be able to do it, I think we should go ahead and move on it. But, we have to do it in a responsible way and it should be Atlantic City centric.”
Mr. Brennan also provides a statement from Senator Lesniak regarding his efforts. “Speaking with Governor Christie, I’ve agreed to reintroduce Internet gaming in the next legislative session (which begins next week), and I expect that we can get it through the Legislature and signed by the Governor within the first few weeks of the new session,” Senator Lesniak states.
“I believe that Internet gaming has transformational potential for New Jersey’s gaming industries,” he continues. “While I remain hopeful that New Jersey can take the lead on this exciting new direction for wagering – which would result in new revenues, new jobs, and new economic activity in the Garden State – I recognize that the complex issues surrounding Internet wagering will take more time to iron out than we are afforded in the waning days of the current Legislative session.
“This isn’t a question of ‘if’ New Jersey gets Internet wagering, but ‘when.’ My money’s on soon.” Senator Lesniak concludes.
As reported here on Poker News Daily, the online gaming bill that Senator Lesniak is pursuing is much like the bill that Governor Christie vetoed last summer. There have been some changes to the bill, providing penalties for anyone operating an illegal online betting operation outside of Atlantic City and designating that those Atlantic City casinos in operation will be the only companies eligible to apply for licenses.
This would mean that such companies as Caesars Entertainment and Boyd Gaming (the owners of The Borgata) would be eligible to apply for licenses. Previously, however, Caesars Entertainment has been against any legislation in New Jersey to provide for internet gaming regulation, preferring instead to have federal legislation of online gaming.