Christie’s signaling internet gambling with a conditional veto

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has conditionally vetoed a bill that regulates internet gambling, sending a revised version of the bill back to the state legislature for approval.

“I have concluded that now is the time for our state to take the lead once again in serving our country by becoming one of the first states to allow Internet gaming,” Christie wrote in a conditional veto. “I carefully approve this step toward modernizing Atlantic City’s entertainment attractions with carefully structured limitations that will ensure the highest integrity and strongest oversight.”

Some of these cautious approaches will involve a 10-year sunset period, after which the state’s legislature and governors will be able to study the impact of internet gambling on Atlantic City and the state as a whole, and determine whether policies need to be changed or eliminated altogether.

Christie’s amendment also includes raising the proposed gross game revenue tax from 10% to 15%. The gross game revenue tax rate for land-based games in Atlantic City is set at 8%. Christie’s is also calling for more resources to identify and detect problem gambling, and for state employees and legislators to extend their casino-related employment bans to internet game licensees.

The response from the game community was fast and overwhelmingly positive. 파워볼게임

“I’m going to New Jersey,” Senator Ray Resniak told a card player. “This is a huge lifeline for Atlantic City, a huge win for the state.”

“While there is work for the New Jersey Legislature to do before it becomes law, we believe it is a victory for New Jersey residents who have reached out to the governor to show their support for the bill,” said John Pappas, executive director of the Poker Players Association.

“Good news: Regulated online poker is coming to New Jersey!” tweeted poker photographer BJ Nemeth. “Bad news: New Jersey is still my 50th favorite state.”

Several media outlets have reported that Lesniak expects the legislature to approve Christie’s changes within weeks. That would make New Jersey the third state to regulate internet gambling, joining Nevada, which has only regulated online poker, and Delaware, which has also approved full online gambling operations.