New Jersey Poised to Regulate Online Gaming
 The
New Jersey legislature has passed a law that would make it legal
for the onsite casinos in that state to book bets online. The
measure was sent to Governor Chris Christie who has 45 days to
sign it into law.
If Christie signs the bill it would allow New Jersey’s
struggling Atlantic City casino industry to offer their games
online to the 8.7 million residents of the state. The bill received
overwhelming bi-partisan support as it was co-sponsored by Republican
Joe Kryillos and Democrat Ray Lesniak. The New Jersey Senate passed
the bill with a 34-2 margin while the Assembly voted 63-11 in
favor of the measure.
New Jersey has struggled badly in the economic recession with
higher than normal unemployment and that has been exacerbated
by the state’s huge property and income taxes which have
driven the productive class out of the state. New Jersey also
has huge contracts to pay out to public employee unions and that
has all combined to help decimate the state’s economy as
well as the Atlantic City gaming industry.
It is hoped that if the bill becomes law it would jumpstart the
sagging gaming industry of the state that is facing bankruptcy
and layoffs as well as also provide much needed revenue to the
state without any taxes being raised. Christie is in fact trying
to cut taxes and spending and this bill could help him reach his
goals for legislation.
New Jersey is looking to come out ahead of Nevada and California
who are also considering online gaming legislation for their states.
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