New Jersey appoints Galea to aid egaming launch

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) has hired former Maltese Lotteries and Gaming Authority (LGA) CEO Mario Galea as a consultant to help push through the state’s online gambling launch.

Draft legislation was made available on the New Jersey legislative website last week, with the bill to be officially published on 2 June at the start of a 60-day public comment period. Once this consultation period finishes the DGE will review and respond to all comments, before passing the bill into force.

At the time DGE director Dave Rebuck said the regulator was looking to hire a consultant, saying it needed “additional technical resources and expertise”. At yesterday’s conference he revealed that Galea had been selected from a shortlist of seven candidates, and would begin work immediately.

However, Rebuck added that this deadline may be pushed back slightly, with the market more likely to launch between Thanksgiving and Christmas, according to the publication. He explained that as the legislation is so new, the DGE doesn’t want “make a significant error” that sets them back from implementing it.

The Press of Atlantic City reports that Rebuck announced the appointment at the East Coast Gaming Conference on Wednesday, with Galea charged with helping the state meet its November deadline to open the market.

Galea, who was recently appointed chairman of the LGA, was the regulatory authority’s first chief executive when it was formed in January 2004, serving until December 2008. During his tenure he helped establish online gambling legislation, the first to be established in the sector.