New Jersey made history on Monday when its legislature became the first American legislative body to approve licensed and regulated online gambling in the US.
Although he has 90 days, Governor Chris Christie is expexted to sign the iMEGA-backed Intra-State Internet Gambling Bill into law within 45 days. With his approving signature, New Jersey will become the first state to license and regulate online gambling in the US.
This would see New Jersey’s casinos able to take bets online, and 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 and Joe Kryillos, Bill S3167 was approved in the New Jersey Senate by 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. "It is 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."
Experts believe that New Jersey will set a roadmap for a number of other US states looking at igaming legislation to follow.
