Internet Gaming in New Jersey: First the Garden State, Then the World

Before New Jersey even tested its first online games, a state senator unveiled his proposal to expand the state’s Internet gambling reach across the world.

Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) yesterday announced he is introducing a bill that would make New Jersey the first state to license casinos to conduct online wagering restricted to people who live outside the United States in an effort to “make New Jersey the leader in online gambling.” (Read a draft version of the bill.) Lesniak said the bill would bring revenue and jobs to New Jersey and further boost Atlantic City, which has been suffering with the growth of gambling in nearby states.

“I was approached by some international gaming companies who would like to set up shop in New Jersey because of the long history of stable gambling here . . . because of the talent pool here,” said Lesniak, who announced his proposal during a press conference in Atlantic City and later on a telephone conference that included a number of writers with gambling news publications. Lesniak spoke just hours before seven Atlantic City casinos began a trial run of Internet gaming at 6 p.m. Gov. Chris Christie signed the bill Lesniak had co-sponsored to allow New Jerseyans to play casino games over the Internet just nine months ago.

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