iMEGA: Top Poker Sites in Favor of New Jersey Gaming Bill
Written by Renee K | Wednesday, February 3rd, 2010
A common question asked by poker players in New Jersey is how the new bill will impact their gaming habits at offshore poker sites such as Full Tilt Poker and Poker Stars.
Last month, New Jersey introduced legislation that would allow internet wagering at Atlantic City casinos. Sponsored by State Senator Raymond Lesniak, the bill essentially allows New Jersey residents to place bets on casino and poker games via the internet at specific casinos.
The bill also calls for the creation of a Division of Internet Wagering to operate under the Casino Control Commission.
In response to the question posed by New Jersey poker players, the chairman of the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association, Joe Brennan Jr. said that there was nothing in the new bill that prevents local residents from playing at their favorite offshore sites as well.
Brennan said: “People will continue to play at existing sites. That’s the incentive to get casinos to cut deals with existing operators. They don’t want to go to the trouble of building it and not have people show up. If casinos and existing online operators want a future, both need to find ways to accommodate each other. Casinos have to work with existing operators to get their sites up and running.”
Existing offshore groups are not under the jurisdiction of New Jersey authorities and therefore cannot be slapped with the $100K fine that the New Jersey Gaming Control Commission has the power to give poker operators who offer their services without its approval.
By introducing its new bill, New Jersey is essentially leading the way for legal online poker among the states. This marked the first time that a state seriously explored the option of making online poker accessible to all citizens who simply wanted to partake in the game in a legal and regulated manner.
The bill was introduced to assist struggling land casinos recoup some of their losses due to the recession. Poker operators wishing to offer their services legally in the state will need to pay an upfront fee of $200,000, as well as a non-refundable $100,000. Operators will also need to pay a license renewal fee each year at a cost of $100K, as well as levy of $100K to go towards a problem gambling help fund.
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· Written by Renee K · Filed Under Poker Gossip · Comments Off
