Christie under pressure to sign new Jersey online gambling law

With the ink hardly dry on last week’s Assembly and Senate approval of an intrastate online gambling measure for New Jersey, leading state politicians are already pressuring governor Chris Christie to sign the bill into state law.

North Jersey.com reports that four senior and influential state Senators have written to the governor, pointing out that legalised online gambling in the state has the potential to create employment, raise millions in tax revenues, position the state powerfully in a developing market and help address the damage caused by recent extreme weather.

New Jersey State Senate President Steve Sweeney, Sen. Ray Lesniak, former Atlantic City mayor and now senator James Whelan and Sen. Jeff Van Drew put their names to the letter, which says in part:

“Given the fiscal conditions facing our casinos, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and the recent movement toward Internet gaming in states across the country, we cannot afford to wait any longer for implementation.

“The fact is, Atlantic City has the potential to become a hub of Internet gaming, which will create more jobs, more revenue for casinos and generate more funding for critical programs for senior citizens and residents with disabilities.

“The short term benefits would be in the form of increased economic activity, increased jobs and increased tax revenues, at very little cost to the state. Over the long term, Internet gaming could change the landscape of the gaming industry in New Jersey.”

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