If a regulated iGaming industry is to become a reality in the state of New Jersey, its Governor, Chris Christie, has declared that it will be for the people to decide. Christie surprisingly acted against the overwhelming majority will of the Legislature when he vetoed the Internet Gambling bill earlier today.
Governor Christie reiterated his commitment to New Jersey gaming, but was concerned that the bill did not comprehensively prohibit iGaming from being offered in bars and internet cafés, explaining, “While I support the intentions of the Legislature to make New Jersey a more competitive gaming jurisdiction, I am concerned that nothing in the legislation would prohibit commercial establishments outside of Atlantic City, such as nightclubs, cafés and bars from offering Internet gambling.”
Additionally, the Governor was concerned that existing legislation did not allow gambling, on the Internet or otherwise, outside of Atlantic City, and stipulated that the expansion of gambling in New Jersey beyond Atlantic City would require a referendum vote similar to referendum vote that established gambling in Atlantic City in 1976.
“If the Legislature believes that expanding gambling outside of Atlantic City is in the best interests of the State of New Jersey, it should place the question on the ballot for the voters to decide,” said Christie.
Finally, the Governor pointed out that certain aspects of the legislation were opposed to his administration’s policy, specifically citing the bill’s provision of subsidies to the state's horse racing industry.
Christie’s rejection of the proposed law in favour of referendum means that the bill will now be redrafted and submitted in the state Assembly and Senate specifically for inclusion for referendum in November.
According to a recent survey of New Jersey voters by National Research Inc. in June 2010, a majority (62%) of New Jersey residents would support a bill that “would permit Internet versions of casino games for New Jersey Residents”. iGaming in New Jersey is expected to bring up to 57,000 jobs and $7 billion to the state over a ten year period.
For the latest updates and more information about iGaming New Jersey, see www.NJiGamingNews.net.
Showing posts with label Governor Chris Christie. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Governor Chris Christie. Show all posts
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Friday, January 14, 2011
New Jersey Internet Gambling Legislation: Regulation Pending Governor’s Signature
iGaming bill expected to be signed into law within 45 days after historic vote by NJ Legislature
The iMEGA-backed Intra-State Internet Gambling bill has finally found its way to the desk of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has up to 45 days to sign it into law.
Governor Christie’s signature would allow New Jersey’s casinos to take bets online and officially become the first state in the US to regulate Internet gambling. Atlantic City casinos would be able to provide online versions of their games to New Jersey’s 8.7 million state residents.
Bearing the co-sponsorship of Senators Ray Lesniak (D) and Joe Kryillos (R), bill S3167 was approved in the New Jersey Senate a majority of 34-2 – the vote in the Assembly was approved by 63-11-3 margin.
iMEGA, the trade industry that represents online gambling released this statement through Chairman, Joe Brennan Jr.
“Congratulations to New Jersey’s legislators on their overwhelming vote in favor of the Intra-State Internet Gambling bill. It’s clear that New Jersey’s representatives want their state to be at the forefront of the online gaming industry, and allow New Jersey’s casinos to thrive in the 21st Century”.
“With the combination of the top regulators in gaming, great information technology infrastructure, a highly-educated workforce, and the strong foundation and leadership of the Atlantic City casino industry, New Jersey is certain to lead this industry’s growth in the US, while creating high-paying, skilled jobs in the technology sector and also attracting investment to the state.”
Writing in his article, “New Jersey: the Land of (iGaming) Opportunity?”, in iGaming Business magazine, Brennan lays out the reasons why New Jersey would be “the best state in the entire US for establishing a permanent base of operations for existing firms to eventually extend their reach into the next states to permit online games.
“New Jersey, which is the second largest casino market in the US after Nevada, has arguably the toughest regulators in the gaming industry,” he explained. “The value of NJ licensure to an iGaming firm is the regulatory surety it demonstrates not only to players, but also to subsequent state governments that may permit the activity, as well as to the financial markets, which would likely place a higher valuation on NJ-licensed firms.
“New Jersey also has the highest IT infrastructure density of any jurisdiction in the world. This is due to the massive post-9/11 build up of capacity to support the financial centre on Wall Street, creating surpluses of bandwidth, storage and servicing firms.”
New Jersey has trumped California in the race to regulate internet gaming in the United States, experts believe that New Jersey will set a roadmap for a number of other States looking at iGaming legislation to follow.
The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) is an association dedicated to the continued growth and innovation of the Internet. It was founded to foster cooperation between the online gaming industry and government at all levels, and to promote innovation, openness and freedom on the Internet.
The iMEGA-backed Intra-State Internet Gambling bill has finally found its way to the desk of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie, who has up to 45 days to sign it into law.
Governor Christie’s signature would allow New Jersey’s casinos to take bets online and officially become the first state in the US to regulate Internet gambling. Atlantic City casinos would be able to provide online versions of their games to New Jersey’s 8.7 million state residents.
Bearing the co-sponsorship of Senators Ray Lesniak (D) and Joe Kryillos (R), bill S3167 was approved in the New Jersey Senate a majority of 34-2 – the vote in the Assembly was approved by 63-11-3 margin.
iMEGA, the trade industry that represents online gambling released this statement through Chairman, Joe Brennan Jr.
“Congratulations to New Jersey’s legislators on their overwhelming vote in favor of the Intra-State Internet Gambling bill. It’s clear that New Jersey’s representatives want their state to be at the forefront of the online gaming industry, and allow New Jersey’s casinos to thrive in the 21st Century”.
“With the combination of the top regulators in gaming, great information technology infrastructure, a highly-educated workforce, and the strong foundation and leadership of the Atlantic City casino industry, New Jersey is certain to lead this industry’s growth in the US, while creating high-paying, skilled jobs in the technology sector and also attracting investment to the state.”
Writing in his article, “New Jersey: the Land of (iGaming) Opportunity?”, in iGaming Business magazine, Brennan lays out the reasons why New Jersey would be “the best state in the entire US for establishing a permanent base of operations for existing firms to eventually extend their reach into the next states to permit online games.
“New Jersey, which is the second largest casino market in the US after Nevada, has arguably the toughest regulators in the gaming industry,” he explained. “The value of NJ licensure to an iGaming firm is the regulatory surety it demonstrates not only to players, but also to subsequent state governments that may permit the activity, as well as to the financial markets, which would likely place a higher valuation on NJ-licensed firms.
“New Jersey also has the highest IT infrastructure density of any jurisdiction in the world. This is due to the massive post-9/11 build up of capacity to support the financial centre on Wall Street, creating surpluses of bandwidth, storage and servicing firms.”
New Jersey has trumped California in the race to regulate internet gaming in the United States, experts believe that New Jersey will set a roadmap for a number of other States looking at iGaming legislation to follow.
The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association (iMEGA) is an association dedicated to the continued growth and innovation of the Internet. It was founded to foster cooperation between the online gaming industry and government at all levels, and to promote innovation, openness and freedom on the Internet.
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