- In an interview on a New Jersey radio station, Christie voiced concerns over the online gambling bill.
- He indicated he was concerned about the relative impact on New Jersey’s economy and the possible creation of new problem gamblers.
- If Christie does not veto the bill by the Feb. 7 deadline, it will become law.
A Tuesday evening appearance by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie on a local “Ask the Governor” radio broadcast found the governor noncommittal toward an online-gambling bill currently on his desk.
Christie’s appearance on Trenton’s WKXW 101.5 FM station dealt largely with tax and economy issues, until a call-in questioner raised the issue of the online-gambling bill (which includes online poker) currently sitting on Christie’s desk, awaiting a February 7 deadline.
Christie declined to indicate whether or not he would sign or veto the measure, though he may also chose do do neither and passively allow the bill to become law. However he did voice two concerns—dealing with the bill’s relative impact on New Jersey’s economy and the possible creation of new problem gamblers—which raised fears among some pro-poker listeners that a veto is the likely outcome.
As happened in 2011, a Christie veto might quash the bill, despite large majorities in both NJ legislative bodies supporting the original, due to other state Republicans being unwilling to tackle Christie over an issue with traditional moral overtones.
