New Jersey lawmakers are scheduled for a final vote on the state’s long-discussed online gambling bill today. It’s expected to easily pass and Governor Chris Christie has said he’ll sign the bill immediately.
Under the terms of the Garden State Bill, Atlantic City casinos and racetracks would be able to offer online players the same games that are available at land-based casinos. Internet gambling would be taxed at 15%.
The bill that crosses Christie’s desk will also include several provisions he requested last week when he vetoed an earlier version of the legislation. Christie’s conditions included a 10-year trial period for online gambling and an increase in the tax rate on internet gambling from 10% to 15%.
Representative Ruben Ramos, one of the bill’s co-sponsors had this to say about Garden State internet gambling:
The internet has long been a reality, and internet gaming in New Jersey should now be reality too. This bill will thoughtfully position our gaming industry to succeed, and it will mean economic growth and job creation for our state.
Governor Christie is hoping that advent of legal online gaming will not only help boost the fortunes of Atlantic City, but also turn the Garden State into the Silicon Valley of Internet Gambling.
How do you think New Jersey will compete in the American internet gambling market? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.