Legalizing Internet Gambling Bill for New Jersey

The State of New Jersey may be joining the squabble over legalizing internet gaming. State Senator Raymond Lesniak has introduced bill S3167, which would make it legal to play and bet on the games of poker, roulette, baccarat, mini baccarat, craps, blackjack, slots, pai gow, red dog, and sic bo. The bill would require that the servers and monitoring offices for the internet gaming companies be located in Atlantic County, New Jersey.

The bill requires the state to protect consumers and would develop standards, software, computers and other gaming equipment to protect the games and the players from tampering, fraud and/or deception. Age requirements for an online account would be 21.

S3167 specifically names poker several times, eliminating the doubts that it would not be legal under this bill.

 Internet gaming companies would have to pay a 20% tax paid to the state’s casino revenue fund. In addition, there would be a second tax aimed at aiding horse racing.

 The bill will take effect immediately after the Governor signs it into law. A new division, the Division of Internet Wagering, to be created in the New Jersey Casino Control Commission, would watch over operations and licensing. Operators would be required to pay an initial license fee of $200,000 with an annual renewal rate of $100,000.