Delay for New Jersey Online Gambling Bill

December 15, 2010 | News Category: Gaming Law

0 Comments

There has been much excitement in the online gambling world, as it seemed that online gambling may well be legalized in New Jersey before the end of 2010. There have, however, been delays, although the delays do not necessarily spell trouble for legalized online gambling in New Jersey.

It had been expected that the New Jersey online gambling bill would be progressing on Monday, however, due to an amendment to the bill itself, it had to go back to the Assembly for a second vote. After that, it then goes to the States Governor in order to gain approval.

Interestingly, the delay was caused by an amendment to the bill that was suggested by Senator Raymond Lesniak, the New Jersey senator who is one of the main players connected to this online gambling bill, seeing as he sponsored it.

There was nothing unusual about the bill needing a revote, since it is the basic standard procedure for a bill to be reexamined in a case where it has been amended. Not only does it need to be reexamined, but it needs to be re-approved, essentially by the same people who approved it not so long ago.

At this time, it is unclear if there are any committee meetings that are set for this week, which means that it may be delayed until after the holiday season, taking it into next year, 2011.

It is not expected that there should be any problem moving the bill forward again, simply that the timing will take longer. There is also a sports betting bill, the ACR 167 bill, that is expected to be approved and passed by both houses before the end of the year.

For some reason, each time there is serious online gambling legislation that is in the process of taking place in the United States, there are unexpected delays. The question this time, however, is whether this delay is simply a delay in New Jersey, or whether it means that there is a chance of this piece of legislation getting diverted entirely, or even simply getting lost in the system.

At this time, it seems as if the delay is not an actual setback in real terms as far as legalizing online gambling in New Jersey goes, but simply a part of the legal process, however, only time show whether New Jersey online gamblers will have the legislation they are waiting for.