(TRENTON) – The Assembly on Tuesday will consider revised
legislation sponsored by Assembly Democrats John Burzichelli, Vincent Prieto and
Ruben J. Ramos Jr. to enable New Jerseyans to wager on Atlantic City casino
games via the Internet.
The session is scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. It will be streamed
live at:
If approved by the Assembly, the bill is then scheduled to be
considered by the state Senate Tuesday for final legislative approval. It would
then go to the governor.
Following the Assembly vote on the bill, the Assembly will
convene for a 3 p.m. joint session to receive the budget message from the
governor.
The bill (A-2578) authorizes persons in New Jersey to place
wagers on Atlantic City casino games via the Internet. Under the bill, any game
that is authorized to be played in a casino could, with the approval of the
Division of Gaming Enforcement, be offered through Internet gaming.
People would be allowed to be from out-of-state, as long as it’s
consistent with federal law.
The revised bill incorporates changes suggested by the governor
in a Feb. 7 conditional veto.
Burzichelli, Prieto and Ramos said the Internet wagering bill
would especially help New Jersey’s gaming industry amid increased competition
from other states.
"We must position New Jersey's gaming industry to thrive in the
21st Century, and that involves authorizing a legally sound Internet gaming law
such as the one now on the table," said Burzichelli
(D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland), the bill’s prime sponsor. "This will be another
key piece of our effort to boost New Jersey's gaming industry by expanding and
modernizing our wagering options, and I look forward to it becoming law."
"New Jersey's gaming industry must, like just about everything
else in today's economy, offer an Internet option if it's to remain
competitive," said Prieto (D-Hudson/Bergen). "This is a carefully crafted plan
designed to ensure Internet gaming on casino games is offered the right way and
is a much-needed competitive step forward for our casinos that could also raise
more revenue to benefit senior and disabled citizens."
"The Internet has long been a reality, and Internet gaming in
New Jersey should now be reality too," said Ramos Jr. (D-Hudson). "This bill
will thoughtfully position our gaming industry to succeed, and it will mean
economic growth and job creation for our state."
Under the bill, all Internet gaming would be deemed to take
place in Atlantic City and all equipment used in Internet gaming would be
required to be located in Atlantic City, except that backup equipment and
certain other equipment could be located elsewhere.
The changes suggested by the governor:
·
Extend existing prohibitions on casino-related employment
and representation for state employees and legislators to Internet gaming
licensees and their promoters and affiliates;
·
Establish a requirement that state elected officials
promptly disclose their past and present representations of entities seeking or
holding Internet gaming licenses; and
·
Enhance the level of funding for compulsive gambling
treatment programs and additional financial support for other beneficial
purposes for which casino gaming was originally authorized.
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