The New Jersey bill that would legalize and regulate intrastate online gambling has an unlikely opponent: the Atlantic City casinos. Members of the Casino Association of New Jersey have spoken out in opposition to the bill, leaving some online gambling proponents scratching their heads.

The bill would allow licensed casinos within the state of New Jersey to operate online casinos, which would only be accessible to people within the state borders. Because the industry would take place entirely within the state’s borders, it would not fall under and federal regulations or laws, including UIGEA.

Despite that fact, Casino Association President Joe Carbo wrote to committee members considering the bill that it violates federal law (which is incorrect) and that the bill would favor foreign online gambling operators. According to Carbo, passing the law would do more to hurt the Atlantic City casinos than to hurt them.

Supporters of the bill disagree, stating that those casinos have the most to gain from the legislation. Joe Brennan, chairman of the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association (iMEGA), says that if the bill becomes law, the “revenue would flow through” the Atlantic City casinos. He also stated that only online casinos with New Jersey gaming licenses could profit off of the law.

Tags: Altantic City Casinos, New Jersey online gambling, online casinos, online gambling, online gambling law, online gambling legislation