Online Gaming Referendum in New Jersey

1 Comment   Email   Print

Developments on the future of online gambling in New Jersey have been rolling in thick and fast. First the bill S490, allowing Atlantic City land casinos to offer online gambling services, was passed by the State Senate Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee. Almost immediately the Casino Association of New Jersey (CANJ) issued a statement that they are against state regulation of online gambling and would like to see it happen at the federal level.

In order to reconcile the different view points on online gambling the legislators of the Democratic Party have suggested that a gaming summit be organized and then the final proposals be put to a public vote in a referendum in fall this year. There is another reason for the hectic movements in the context of online gambling. Governor Chris Christie had appointed an advisory committee to make recommendations for reviving the gambling industries that include land casinos and racetracks. This report is due just two weeks from now. Apart from the disagreement between CANJ and S490 there are reports of conflicting legislative bills in the state Senate and Assembly and also the fact that racetracks want new initiatives such as being allowed to offer slot machines at their venues.

Senator Raymond Lesniak, who is the sponsor of S490, explained that all sectors of the gambling industry are in trouble and are therefore trying to gain advantage at the expense of others. He said, "They don’t realize, or don’t want to realize, they’re killing each other. It’s time for the Legislature and the governor to adopt a policy based on maximizing revenues from gaming and saving our dying tourist attractions." Lesniak gave an assurance that he would not move his bill forward until all issues have been discussed at the summit and a new proposal is generated. John Burzichelli, chairman of the New Jersey State Assembly gaming panel also indicated that he was open to a new proposal and welcomed a summit debate and discussion for the resolution of all issues.

The Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee has approved a bill last week that seeks to ask state voters in a referendum a number of questions related to gambling, particularly online gambling. The questions include whether to legalize sports betting assuming that the federal ban on the practice in most states is lifted; whether to allow sports betting over the Internet in New Jersey; whether to allow the Atlantic City licensed land casinos to operate online gambling sites and what types of expanded gambling options to allow at New Jersey racetracks.

News Item Tools

 Email     Print     Digg     Del.icio.us    StumbleUpon

Comments

 Add Comment

Add Comment

More News