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New Jersey State Senator Raymond Lesniak is wasting little time in getting a bill drafted that would legalize Internet gambling in the Garden State and he may have a very powerful ally.
Lesniak advised that he met with Governor Chris Christie and the two seem to be in agreement: Internet gambling in New Jersey could prove lucrative for the state’s stagnant economy.
A US Justice Department ruling that The Wire Act will no longer be applied to online poker has provided individual states with a green light to regulate the activity within their borders and quite possibly among other states similar to how Powerball currently operates.
New Jersey has already passed a referendum that would allow sports betting in the state once a federal policy is overturned.
Lesniak issued the following statement on Thursday:
"Speaking with Governor Christie, I've agreed to reintroduce Internet gaming in the next legislative session, and I expect that we can get it through the Legislature and signed by the Governor within the first few weeks of the new session.
"I believe that Internet gaming has transformational potential for New Jersey's gaming industries. While I remain hopeful that New Jersey can take the lead on this exciting new direction for wagering – which would result in new revenues, new jobs, and new economic activity in the Garden State – I recognize that the complex issues surrounding Internet wagering will take more time to iron out than we are afforded in the waning days of the current Legislative session.
"This isn't a question of 'if' New Jersey gets Internet wagering, but 'when.' My money's on soon."
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
