New Jersey Governor Chris Christie signed a revised version of a bill that he rejected in 2011, this time officially legalizing online gambling within the state’s borders. Christie justified his change of heart by citing the positive impact that the legislation could have on the state’s economy, especially Atlantic City. As it is currently written, online gambling must be controlled by one of the existing Atlantic City casinos in order for it to be legal within the state.
Most experts believe that the existing New Jersey casinos will partner with international online gambling companies who already have online gaming platforms and payment systems in place. Of course, with the dominoes falling so quickly, it will only be a matter of time before every other state with legalized offline gambling passes its own legislation to legalize online gambling. Already, there is talk that citizens outside New Jersey will be allowed to gain access to the state’s virtual casinos.
Because of archaic federal laws which prevented the proliferation of online gambling at the dawn of the Internet era, it is likely going to be some time before people in New Jersey are wagering online without fear of prosecution. And, most unfortunately for New Jersey and state governments across the country, they seem to be arriving about 10 years late to the party.
The time to have legalized online gaming in the U.S. was during the boom years of the late 90s and early 00s. Now that we’re mired in an endless recession with high unemployment and stagnant wages, the only people gambling online will be those who decide against going to the actual casinos to place their bets. In that sense, any new online revenue will simply be coming out of the pockets of the brick-and-mortar casinos.
Most experts believe that the existing New Jersey casinos will partner with international online gambling companies who already have online gaming platforms and payment systems in place. Of course, with the dominoes falling so quickly, it will only be a matter of time before every other state with legalized offline gambling passes its own legislation to legalize online gambling. Already, there is talk that citizens outside New Jersey will be allowed to gain access to the state’s virtual casinos.
Because of archaic federal laws which prevented the proliferation of online gambling at the dawn of the Internet era, it is likely going to be some time before people in New Jersey are wagering online without fear of prosecution. And, most unfortunately for New Jersey and state governments across the country, they seem to be arriving about 10 years late to the party.
The time to have legalized online gaming in the U.S. was during the boom years of the late 90s and early 00s. Now that we’re mired in an endless recession with high unemployment and stagnant wages, the only people gambling online will be those who decide against going to the actual casinos to place their bets. In that sense, any new online revenue will simply be coming out of the pockets of the brick-and-mortar casinos.
