New Jersey senator to re-introduce online gambling legalisation bill

The feisty New Jersey Senator, Ray Lesniak intends to reintroduce his measure seeking the intrastate regulation of online gambling, reports the Politickernj.com information site.
The Senator latest statement comes on the heels of news that New Jersey’s largest standard-bred horse ranch, Perretti Farms, has failed, possibly heralding the end of the 13,000 job, $1 billion horse racing industry in the US state.
Sen. Lesniak says that income from making the state an online gambling regulatory jurisdiction could help stave off that possibility, “…pump over $200 million of profits into the casino industry, add tens of millions of dollars to the state treasury and provide a bridge to self-sufficiency for three years through purse enhancements to keep the horse racing industry alive.”
Sen. Lesniak’s previous attempt failed on the state governor’s veto last year after enjoying very significant legislative support. Governor Chris Christie exercised an absolute veto on the grounds that signing the measure into law would be unconstitutional because it has implications beyond Atlantic City that extend state-wide .
“We cannot turn our backs on the horse tracks and casinos which employ thousands of New Jerseyans and generate billions of dollars in economic activity each year,” Lesniak told Politickernj.com.  “We have to give this industry the tools and support to be relevant in the 21st century, and by authorizing intrastate online betting, we can provide access to a gaming product which other states have yet to capitalize on.  We need to act now, before more of our state’s horse farms or casinos close their doors forever.”

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