A vote of the people of New Jersey is not necessary for the state to implement internet gambling, according to the testimony of John B. Wefing, a Seton Hall law professor. Wefing appeared before a New Jersey Wagering and Tourism Committee on Monday.
Currently the state constitution dictates that all gambling within the state must take place within the borders of Atlantic City. However, Wefing believes that as long as the servers handling the wagers for online gambling are located in Atlantic City, there is no conflict with state laws.
“There is no need to amend our constitution since casino gaming was authorized under it,” Wefing said according to CBS News.
“The Internet was not in existence at that time, and is merely a method of engaging in an already-authorized form of gambling. The legislation that requires that the Internet servers be located in Atlantic City satisfies the spirit of the constitutional requirement that casino gaming be allowed only in Atlantic City.”
Though he has indicated that there has been “positive meetings” between the legislature and his staff as recently as last week, New Jersey Governor Chris Christie did veto an online poker bill last year. However, after the DOJ reinterpreted the Wire Act to only include sportsbetting Christie said: “I think New Jersey should be in that business. I think we should be an epicenter for that business.”
