The New Jersey Assembly Appropriations Committee passed a bill to authorize internet gambling on Monday by a 6-0 margin with three abstentions.
The vote came on the heels of a brief discussion where two things were apparent: Horse racing interests are not content with the bill as it stands and the assembly members are satisfied with waiting until the fall to discuss the proposed legislation any further.
Though A2578 is now clear to proceed to a full vote of the Assembly, it is still unclear if concessions made to appease Governor Christie—include restricting the state’s horse racing tracks for being eligible for an internet gaming license—will be enough to win over the state’s top lawmaker.
A similar bill is also progressing through the Senate, but even sponsor of the bill State Senator Raymond J. Lesniak has his reservations that the bill will receive any serious consideration until after the US presidential election. “Right now it’s up in the air,” Lesniak told SportsBookReview.com in an audio interview last month. “The governor has signaled that he wants to wait until the fall to act on this.”
Last year, Governor Christie vetoed a bill that would have legalized online gambling in New Jersey.
