NJ online poker legislation (passed)

[Jonaspublius]

One thing that gives me something to chew over is the relationship between Mitt and Christie. Mitt has promised a position on ipoker before the NV caucuses. Christie has hitched his wagon to Mitt's for 2012. So............

I can't wrap my head around whether Mitt will look to Christie for a position, or Christie will look to Mitt. I'm not sure it even matters, but that is as important a dynamic right now as the Christie/Lesniak.

[ScreaminAsian]

@joebrennanjr Joe Brennan Jr
Update: The NJ legislature to vote on intra-state i-gaming bill, Jan 5th & 9th. Gov Christie said to be reconsidering signing this time.
30 Dec

https://twitter.com/#!/joebrennanjr

[MrAce777]

Answer this, if Christie signs it, then there is no need for a referendum on the voters part right?

[TheDarkElf]

Originally Posted by MrAce777

Answer this, if Christie signs it, then there is no need for a referendum on the voters part right?

I believe the NJ State Constitution must be ammended, and that involves a voter referendum:

"2. No gambling of any kind shall be authorized by the Legislature unless the specific kind, restrictions and control thereof have been heretofore submitted to, and authorized by a majority of the votes cast by, the people at a special election or shall hereafter be submitted to, and authorized by a majority of the votes cast thereon by, the legally qualified voters of the State voting at a general election, except that, without any such submission or authorization:

...

D. It shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize by law the establishment and operation, under regulation and control by the State, of gambling houses or casinos within the boundaries, as heretofore established, of the city of Atlantic City, county of Atlantic, and to license and tax such operations and equipment used in connection therewith. Any law authorizing the establishment and operation of such gambling establishments shall provide for the State revenues derived therefrom to be applied solely for the purpose of providing funding for reductions in property taxes, rental, telephone, gas, electric, and municipal utilities charges of eligible senior citizens and disabled residents of the State, and for additional or expanded health services or benefits or transportation services or benefits to eligible senior citizens and disabled residents, in accordance with such formulae as the Legislature shall by law provide. The type and number of such casinos or gambling houses and of the gambling games which may be conducted in any such establishment shall be determined by or pursuant to the terms of the law authorizing the establishment and operation thereof;"

Currently the constitution only permits casino style gambling (and poker) in Atlantic City.

[PokerXanadu]

Originally Posted by TheDarkElf

I believe the NJ State Constitution must be ammended, and that involves a voter referendum:

"2. No gambling of any kind shall be authorized by the Legislature unless the specific kind, restrictions and control thereof have been heretofore submitted to, and authorized by a majority of the votes cast by, the people at a special election or shall hereafter be submitted to, and authorized by a majority of the votes cast thereon by, the legally qualified voters of the State voting at a general election, except that, without any such submission or authorization:

...

D. It shall be lawful for the Legislature to authorize by law the establishment and operation, under regulation and control by the State, of gambling houses or casinos within the boundaries, as heretofore established, of the city of Atlantic City, county of Atlantic, and to license and tax such operations and equipment used in connection therewith. Any law authorizing the establishment and operation of such gambling establishments shall provide for the State revenues derived therefrom to be applied solely for the purpose of providing funding for reductions in property taxes, rental, telephone, gas, electric, and municipal utilities charges of eligible senior citizens and disabled residents of the State, and for additional or expanded health services or benefits or transportation services or benefits to eligible senior citizens and disabled residents, in accordance with such formulae as the Legislature shall by law provide. The type and number of such casinos or gambling houses and of the gambling games which may be conducted in any such establishment shall be determined by or pursuant to the terms of the law authorizing the establishment and operation thereof;"

Currently the constitution only permits casino style gambling (and poker) in Atlantic City.

But the NJ bill states that the online poker servers have to be located within Atlantic City and that the bet takes place at the location of the servers. Obviously this is a way to skirt the constitutional restrictions, but the legislation may go forward without a voter referendum on this basis. Christie's official reason for vetoing last time was this conflict with the state Constitution. It's unknown so far if he will relent this time and sign the bill. I imagine that Ceasars won't oppose the bill this time, now that the DOJ's stance on the Wire Act is no longer an impediment to establishing and interstate player pool between NV and NJ.

[TheDarkElf]

Originally Posted by PokerXanadu

But the NJ bill states that the online poker servers have to be located within Atlantic City and that the bet takes place at the location of the servers. Obviously this is a way to skirt the constitutional restrictions, but the legislation may go forward without a voter referendum on this basis. Christie's official reason for vetoing last time was this conflict with the state Constitution. It's unknown so far if he will relent this time and sign the bill. I imagine that Ceasars won't oppose the bill this time, now that the DOJ's stance on the Wire Act is no longer an impediment to establishing and interstate player pool between NV and NJ.

Interesting. So what I thought was a firmly established matter of law (the wager exists simultaneously at both the location of the server and the location of the bettor, or something to that effect) can be overridden by a state law. I guess there is always the possibility of someone filing a suit challenging that aspect of the law.

Total agreement with the rest of your conclusions.

[BlaneH]

Even if it goes to a referendum I imagine it'd still pass. There was a question about it on the last local ballots and it passed.

[TheDarkElf]

Originally Posted by BlaneH

Even if it goes to a referendum I imagine it'd still pass. There was a question about it on the last local ballots and it passed.

I think the question was about authorizing sports betting, but I think it is an easy pass in any event.

[MrAce777]

I really think the DoJ's previous stance on iPoker and iGaming in general is what made Christie veto the bill in the first place. After the DoJ's announcement, it's believable that Christie will sign it.

[As armas]

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...01-02-11-17-18

Looks like good news to me! If this passes then living in Newark, NJ will get a whole lot better lol.

[raradevils]

Originally Posted by As armas

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories...01-02-11-17-18

Looks like good news to me! If this passes then living in Newark, NJ will get a whole lot better lol.

could it get any worse?

[Iamurdream]

Originally Posted by ScreaminAsian

I'm glad Harry Reid and Caesars are aware of the prime importance of massive playerpools to make poker sites successful. and that they'll block this and all other intrastate leg and jam a federal system onto all these turkeys.

you make a good point, this is stronger for us

[Brilliant27]

Woohooo gogogo Nj. One time!

[raradevils]

If we want federal, we need a state any state to get it up and running. Once they see the revenue generated federal will so to follow. It looks very good this year for either Nevada or NJ to get the ball rolling.

[BlaneH]

Originally Posted by TheDarkElf

I think the question was about authorizing sports betting, but I think it is an easy pass in any event.

You're right. Though the part where it passed seems ideal for this measure.