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Donald Trump’s announcement that he is looking to enter the online gambling fray last week has offered hope on the state front. New Jersey, which is home to a handful of Trump properties including the Taj Mahal, is one of the states looking to legalize Internet gambling as well as sports betting.
“It's nice that Trump has a business interest in this happening, but there needs to be just as much attention paid by Trump to the political process,” noted Joe Brennan, Jr. of The Interactive Media Entertainment & Gaming Association. “The Atlantic City casinos left it too late last time to show their support for the i-gaming bill according to Gov. (Chris) Christie's people. We hope that Trump uses his clout and profile early on to help push this through in Trenton. He and his company would provide a great counter-weight to Harrah's, who successfully lobbied the governor to veto the last bill.”
Late last year, New Jersey’s Governor vetoed a bill in the final minutes that would have made his state the first to legalize online gambling, including sports betting.
Some have speculated that Christie’s decision was politically motivated based on the National Football League decision to hold the first ever Super Bowl in the Garden State.
Currently, Nevada has become the first state in the Union to legalize Internet poker, but with the stipulation that the law cannot go into effect until federal legislation is enacted.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
