NJ legislature votes to legalise egaming
New Jersey is just one step away from being the first US state to license and regulate online gaming, after its legislature votes overwhelmingly in favour of Senator Raymond Lesniak's bill.
The New Jersey legislature this evening voted overwhelmingly in favour of Senator Raymond Lesniak’s bill to allow egaming in the US state.
In an Assembly vote taken at 6:44PM Eastern Time, Lesniak’s S490 bill to allow Atlantic City casinos to offer online versions of their games to state residents received 63 votes in favour, 11 against, and three abstentions, comfortably ahead of the 41 votes required for passage. The bill then passed in the Senate by a margin of 34-2.
Having passed both the New Jersey Senate and the Assembly, this evening’s vote leaves New Jersey just one step away from becoming the first US state to license and regulate online gaming. Nevada passed a law authorising online gaming in 2002, but did not adopt regulations following advice from the US Department of Justice that federal law prohibited the activity at that time.
The bill now passes to Governor Chris Christie, becoming law upon his signature or after 45 days if no action is taken during this time. Christie has however yet to publicly declare his position on Lesniak’s bill.
iMEGA chairman Joe Brennan Jr, whose lobby group helped draft the bill, said: “Congratulations to New Jersey’s legislators on their overwhelming vote in favor of the intrastate internet gambling bill. It’s clear that New Jersey’s representatives want their state to be at the forefront of the online gaming industry, both in the US and globally.”
“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.“
President and CEO of New Jersey-based games supplier High 5 Games, Anthony Singer, said: “This is an historic day for New Jersey. With the state legislature’s decision to legalise internet gaming, New Jersey now becomes the center of the US iGaming industry.
“We are optimistic that Governor Chris Christie will sign this important piece of legislation into law to revive the state’s gaming industry. This law will allow our state’s gaming industry to thrive, creating more jobs and much needed tax revenue for the people of New Jersey.”