[3 pm UPDATE with the Casino Association of New Jersey's stance on all this]
I have a story in the Record today on the New Jersey state Assembly and Senate planning to vote next week on an online gaming bill that is similar to the one that Governor Christie vetoed almost two years ago.
Online gaming supporters have removed a dealbreaking subsidy of up to $30 million in horse racing purse subsidies, while also tightening up language that they hope removes Christie?s worries that ?internet cafes? all over the state could advertise their sites as places to gather and gamble.
Still, the chief objection that Christie had still could loom large:
Christie has been mindful of the state Constitution?s requirement that all casino gambling take place within the Atlantic City boundaries. Click the link for reasons why online gaming backers think they can persuade the Governor this time.
Also, CANJ President Tony Rodio sent me this comment: ?The CANJ supports the implementation of internet wagering legislation. Internet wagering must be implemented in a lawful, appropriate, thoughtful and prudent fashion. We believe that the pending legislation goes a long way towards fulfilling those objectives.?
Meanwhile, I found it interesting that Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester, once agreed with the idea that voters would have to pass a statewide referendum to allow for online gaming that could be played by residents anywhere in the state.
Burzichelli said his mind was changed when he realized that many jurisdictions allow gamblers to use cell phones at blackjack tables, for instance. Burzichelli said if his brother was at the table and he was back home, he could effectively play the hand while sitting at home.
?This is the same thing, really,? Burzichelli said of online gaming.
Still, the constitutional argument mentioned in the link is the one more likely to be part of Christie?s analysis of this issue.
Christie once opposed pushing for sports betting while a federal law barred it in New Jersey. but now he?s the lead name in the lawsuit filed against the state by the NCAA and the four biggest pro sports leagues. The governor has not shown an antipathy toward gambling, in spite of his threats to close down the Meadowlands Racetrack two years ago.
His concerns have been subsidizing money-losing operations, or about constitutional issues. It will be interesting to see if Christie decides to move forward with this one ? and if any rulings in the sports betting case in the interim (oral argument will be on Tuesday on whether the leagues have standing) prove to be at all relevant.
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