New Jersey lawmaker wants to expand online gambling market

That indefatigable supporter of online gambling, New Jersey Senator Ray Lesniak, has announced a new initiative that could see international online punters welcome to try their luck within the state borders via the internet.

Although drafting has yet to commence, Lesniak plans to introduce legislation that will allow gamblers in foreign countries, as well as Nevada and Delaware, to place internet bets in New Jersey.

US states that offer online gambling currently restrict their action to residents or visitors who are physically within the individual state borders, although there have been so far inconclusive discussions between some states regarding shared player pools.

On Wednesday Sen. Lesniak told the Associated Press news agency that he would propose that players resident in other jurisdictions where online gambling is legal be permitted to gamble at websites licensed by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement without the need to be physically present within New Jersey borders.

His measure would also seek to allow international operators to base their operations in New Jersey, and remove a requirement that computer servers be located within Atlantic City, he revealed.

DGE chief David Rebuck recently commented that the requirement that operators host their servers in Atlantic City is an impediment to shared player pooling negotiations (see previous reports).

Lesniak told Associated Press:

“I’ve changed my mission from making New Jersey the Silicon Valley of Internet gaming to the Mecca of Internet gaming. Online gaming has helped Atlantic City to revive its casino sector with a success that we can expand in ways that will generate more revenue, create jobs and fuel technological innovation in gaming.”

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