TRENTON - Last week New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie put
forward a proposal that supports the implementation of Internet gaming in the
state. According to the governor??s website, Christie concludes that "now is the
right time for the state to move forward and again lead the nation by becoming
one of the first states" to allow online gaming.
"This bill represents an important policy decision for
the residents of New Jersey, and a historic opportunity to continue the state's
leadership as a premiere destination for tourism and entertainment. Such a
significant step must be carefully considered, balancing the benefits of job
creation, economic development, and the continued revitalization of Atlantic
City against the risks of addiction, corruption and improper influence. It
is my duty as governor to make these determinations," Christie said.
The proposal, contained in Christie??s conditional veto of
Assembly Bill 2578, would revise and supplement the "Casino Control Act" to
authorize Internet gaming through the licensed casinos operating in Atlantic City.
The governor recommends safeguards for gambling addiction: "With these
changes, we will increase resources to treat compulsive gambling, provide
sensible safeguards to ensure careful oversight and a proper annual review of
the implementation of Internet gaming, along with a 10-year sunset for future
leaders to carefully reevaluate Internet gaming as a state policy broadly and
critical transparency measures to guard against undue and improper influence
and self-dealing."
In his conditional veto, Christie also gave "great weight"
to concerns over the potential spread of excessive gambling: "Our state
cannot carelessly create a new generation of addicted gamers, sitting in their
homes, using laptops or iPads, gambling their salaries and their futures,"
he said.
To protect against a proliferation of gambling addiction,
the governor proposed an annual analysis of the potential harms associated with
these new games to be undertaken at the expense of the gaming
licensees. Furthermore, he recommends that Internet gaming and its
societal impact should be studied and periodically revisited. To that end,
he proposes that the law sunset after a period of 10 years, giving future
policymakers the opportunity to revise and renew the law if appropriate.