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07 February 2013
iGaming Business can report that New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, has issued a Conditional Veto on the proposed iGaming bill that would legalise intra-state iGaming within the state. Christie re-iterated his desire to see more within the bill's documentation to address the "documented harms that can accompany excessive gambling" via increased investment in problem gambling prevention programmes and further studies into the potential dangers that could affect consumers.
"The bill should be revised to do more to prevent the documented harms that can accompany excessive gambling," said Christie, in his official Conditional Veto documentation. "Our State cannot carelessly create a new generation of addicted gamers, sitting in their homes, using laptops or iPads, gambling away their salaries and their futures. For this reason, I recommend an enhanced level of funding for compulsive gambling treatment programs and additional financial support for other beneficial purposes for which casino gaming was originally authorized. I also recommend an annual analysis of the potential problems and harms associated with these new games to be undertaken at the expense of Internet gaming licensees."
An interesting caveat to the potential passing of the bill is Christie's suggestion of a sunset clause that would allow future administrators the opportunity to revisit the law's standing and relevance. "I believe that Internet gaming in New Jersey should be carefully studied and periodically revisited. I recommend that this law authorizing Internet gaming in New Jersey sunset after a period of ten years, giving future leaders the perspective and opportunity to revise and renew Internet gaming as appropriate."
Despite its title, a Conditional Veto is actually more positive than it sounds. Distinct from Christie's 2011 Veto, which elbowed the bill for public referendum, the Conditional Veto is an assurance, of sorts, of the Governor's willingness to allow the law to pass, pending certain changes to the bill's wording, function and implementation. Christie's concerns have long been known, but reading into the wording of both vetoes, he has consistently intimated his desire not to rush through iGaming legislation until he is sure that its impact will be functionally and ethically beneficial to the state, especially in troubling financial times.
In today's veto, Christie emphasised the point again. "Like all of the most sensitive and significant policy matters, it is incumbent on the elected officials of this state to act with equal parts confidence and caution. In the wake of the devastating losses suffered by our residents in recent months, we must embrace new ideas to fuel our reconstruction and continued prosperity. Internet gaming should be a part of that effort. With the recommendations I propose today, we can revitalize one of our state's premier attractions, and reintroduce New Jersey and Atlantic City at the forefront of innovation and entertainment."
Being at the forefront of iGaming innovation is an ambition long harboured by the bill's author, Senator Raymond Lesniak, who has told iGaming Business of his wish to see New Jersey become the 'Silicon State' of US Internet Gambling. Should the bill be edited to account for the concerns of the Governor, and there is no reason to suggest it won't, then New Jersey could still yet prove a pioneering force in the regulation of iGaming in the United States.
Source
iGaming Business can report that New Jersey Governor, Chris Christie, has issued a Conditional Veto on the proposed iGaming bill that would legalise intra-state iGaming within the state. Christie re-iterated his desire to see more within the bill's documentation to address the "documented harms that can accompany excessive gambling" via increased investment in problem gambling prevention programmes and further studies into the potential dangers that could affect consumers.
"The bill should be revised to do more to prevent the documented harms that can accompany excessive gambling," said Christie, in his official Conditional Veto documentation. "Our State cannot carelessly create a new generation of addicted gamers, sitting in their homes, using laptops or iPads, gambling away their salaries and their futures. For this reason, I recommend an enhanced level of funding for compulsive gambling treatment programs and additional financial support for other beneficial purposes for which casino gaming was originally authorized. I also recommend an annual analysis of the potential problems and harms associated with these new games to be undertaken at the expense of Internet gaming licensees."
An interesting caveat to the potential passing of the bill is Christie's suggestion of a sunset clause that would allow future administrators the opportunity to revisit the law's standing and relevance. "I believe that Internet gaming in New Jersey should be carefully studied and periodically revisited. I recommend that this law authorizing Internet gaming in New Jersey sunset after a period of ten years, giving future leaders the perspective and opportunity to revise and renew Internet gaming as appropriate."
Despite its title, a Conditional Veto is actually more positive than it sounds. Distinct from Christie's 2011 Veto, which elbowed the bill for public referendum, the Conditional Veto is an assurance, of sorts, of the Governor's willingness to allow the law to pass, pending certain changes to the bill's wording, function and implementation. Christie's concerns have long been known, but reading into the wording of both vetoes, he has consistently intimated his desire not to rush through iGaming legislation until he is sure that its impact will be functionally and ethically beneficial to the state, especially in troubling financial times.
In today's veto, Christie emphasised the point again. "Like all of the most sensitive and significant policy matters, it is incumbent on the elected officials of this state to act with equal parts confidence and caution. In the wake of the devastating losses suffered by our residents in recent months, we must embrace new ideas to fuel our reconstruction and continued prosperity. Internet gaming should be a part of that effort. With the recommendations I propose today, we can revitalize one of our state's premier attractions, and reintroduce New Jersey and Atlantic City at the forefront of innovation and entertainment."
Being at the forefront of iGaming innovation is an ambition long harboured by the bill's author, Senator Raymond Lesniak, who has told iGaming Business of his wish to see New Jersey become the 'Silicon State' of US Internet Gambling. Should the bill be edited to account for the concerns of the Governor, and there is no reason to suggest it won't, then New Jersey could still yet prove a pioneering force in the regulation of iGaming in the United States.
Source
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