Online Gambling Moves Ahead in Delaware and New Jersey

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The legislation seeking to legalize intrastate online gambling in Delaware is moving ahead at considerable speed. It was only last week that the online gambling bill HB333 was approved by the state House Assembly. On June 20 the bill was successfully passed through a Senate committee. The date for the full Senate vote has been set for June 26. If the bill passes through the Senate then it will be sent to Governor Jack Markell for signature. And unlike Governor Christie of New Jersey, Governor Markell has publicly declared his support for the legislation.

The HB333 seeks to legalize online poker, online casino games such as slot machines, table games and keno, and allows an expansion into sports betting. The horse racing faction that was opposing the bill tried to stop it from being passed in the Senate committee, but failed to do so. The Senators in the committee apparently felt that the horse racing faction was being extremely hypocritical because it has been exploiting the online gambling channel for years, based on carve-outs in federal laws.

In New Jersey Senator Ray Lesniak’s online gambling bill is being moved simultaneously in the Senate and the House. In May the Senate was to vote on the bill. However, the Senator did not go for the vote citing lack of support. Earlier, the New Jersey House Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee had passed the online gambling legalization bill with three votes in favor to one against, and with one abstention. On Monday June 18 the bill passed through a tough Appropriations Committee hearing. The local newspaper Star-Ledger reported that the bill would now be sent to a full House vote. However, a date for the vote has not been set. Presumably the sponsors of the bill are not sure of the support within the House as well.

New Jersey Senator Lesniak’s online gambling bill will allow intrastate gambling at Atlantic City land casinos. The bill in principle allows the licensed online casino and poker operators to accept online bets from gamblers outside the state’s borders as well. This provision however will be subject to compliance with US federal law. The uncertain situation with New Jersey Governor Chris Christie prevails. In the past the governor had occasionally stated support to the bill and occasionally spoken against it. However, at the moment he is not indicating a position either way. It makes sense for Governor Christie to maintain a silence till the matter comes to him. If the legislators are unable to send the bill to him then he would be quite happy. The cat and mouse game is on.

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