- 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.
Nonetheless, Christie may also be searching for a politically palatable bill to allow the measure to be enacted while still seeking to protect his future with the staunch anti-gambling right wing of the GOP. Christie’s national aspirations are widely known, and his rising star and centrist stance on many issues—plus a willingness to bash recalcitrant Republicans on other issues—has won him popular support from both sides of the aisle.
In some ways, the recent announcement of the intent to purchase the Atlantic City-based Atlantic Club Casino by PokerStars parent Rational Group might even have a slight negative effect, since the firm’s reemergence into the New Jersey scene gives anti-gambling zealots an extra piece of ammunition.
A final decision on New Jersey’s online-gambling proposal remains unlikely to occur until just before the February 7 deadline, allowing Christie to carve out as much wiggle room as possible. Only then will the New Jersey’s residents learn if the state will become the third US state to formally authorize online poker.