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Christie kicks out iGaming bill for NJ
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has sensationally vetoed the state's iGaming bill, against the majority will of the Legislature.
Christie, who has been a shining light to date in the reinvogoration of Atlantic City, reiterated his commitment to gaming in the state but had concerns about the reach of the bill - and so has shifted responsibility for the bill's adoption to the people of New Jersey, with echoes of the referendum vote that swept gaming into Atlantic City in 1976. Christie said: "If the Legislature believes that expanding gambling outside of Atlantic City is in the best interests of the State of New Jersey, it should place the question on the ballot for the voters to decide."
Christie was concerned that the bill did not comprehensively prohibit iGaming from being offered in bars and internet cafes, explaining: "While I support the intentions of the Legislature to make New Jersey a more competitive gaming jurisdiction, I am concerned that nothing in the legislation would prohibit commercial establishments outside of Atlantic City, such as nightclubs, cafes and bars from offering Internet gambling."
Additionally, the Governor was concerned that existing legislation did not allow gambling, on the Internet or otherwise, outside of Atlantic City.
Finally, the Governor pointed out that certain aspects of the legislation were opposed to his administration's policy, specifically citing the bill's provision of subsidies to the state's horse racing industry.
The bill must now be redrafted and submitted in the state Assembly and Senate specifically for inclusion for referendum in November. iGaming in New Jersey is expected to bring up to 57,000 jobs and $7 billion to the state over a ten-year period.
