NJ Online Gambling Bill Passes Assembly Committee
Author: scott // Category: Gambling Strategy
The bill that would bring an online gambling market to the U.S. state of New Jersey is one step closer to becoming a law. It has passed a committee vote on its way to a full Assembly vote next week.
Today the State Assembly Regulatory Oversight & Gaming Committee passed Raymond Lesniak’s online gambling bill by a unanimous vote. The bill will then be moved to the Assembly floor for a full vote, which is expected to take place on Monday, December 13. The same bill already passed the state Senate, so if the full Assembly passes the bill as well, the only remaining step would be to be signed by Governor Chris Christie, which is expected.
One amendment was stripped from the bill, though. The bill once included an amendment that would allow customers from overseas to play at New Jersey online casinos. That amendment was dropped, meaning that only New Jersey residents would be able to participate in the gambling market that the bill would create. The international gambling amendment may have been removed to avoid the possibility of the federal government or World Trade Organization claiming jurisdiction.
Lesniak states that he believes the bill will be passed by the state Assembly and be signed by Governor Christie “before the end of the year.” If the law passes, New Jersey will be the first U.S. state to legalize and regulate intrastate online gambling, though California may be close behind them. Governor Christie has never gone on the record as supporting or opposing the legislation, but he is looking for ways to increase revenue in the state, particularly in Atlantic City. Most sources believe he will sign the bill rather than using his veto power.
Tags: gambling legislation, New Jersey online gambling, U.S. online gambling
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