New Jersey Internet Gambling Bill Headed To Governor

On Thursday the New Jersey State Senate passed an internet gambling bill which would legalize the practice in the Garden State, pushing the bill to the desk of Governor Chris Christie for passage... or veto.

The bill made it through the Senate on a 33-3 vote, a few days after passing through the State Assembly with a 48-25 vote. The bill now moves on to the Governor's office, who must make a decision to either sign the bill into law or veto it within 45 days.

A similar bill was passed by the New Jersey Assembly and Senate last year, but was vetoed by Governor Christie, and it is unknown whether or not he has changed his stance since last year.

If the bill is signed into law, it would make New Jersey the first to legalize intrastate online gambling outside of just online poker. Under the terms of the bill, all casino games can be offered online if the casino's servers are based from land casinos in Atlantic City.

After the bill made it through the Senate, the President of the Casino Association of New Jersey Tony Rodio came out in support of the bill saying that he supports the bill as long as it is “....implemented in a lawful, appropriate, thoughtful and prudent fashion.”

He went on to say that: “We believe that the legislation goes a long way towards fulfilling those objectives."