New Jersey's bill to extend online gambling for 10 more years advances in Senate

Legislation that extends New Jersey casinos’ use of online gambling was advanced Monday by the state Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee. If approved, bill S-3075 would allow iGaming to remain legal for another ten years in the state. It is believed the legislation could make it to Gov. Phil Murphy’s desk for final consideration by the end of the month.

"The legalization of online gambling and sports betting was a catalyst for struggling casinos in the aftermath of the Great Recession," said bill sponsor Sen. Vince Polistina, R-Atlantic, as reported by The Press of the Atlantic City. "In places like Atlantic City, internet gaming has created a number of good paying jobs for workers as well as generating millions of dollars in tax revenues for the state."

Sen. Vince Polistina

Internet gambling was first legalized in New Jersey in 2013 and authorized for a 10-year period, set to expire this November. Just like the original law that legalized online casino gambling, the new legislation would not make it permanently legal but would again allow it to occur for another 10 years to 2033.

Those in favor of the legality of internet casino gambling in New Jersey argue that it has been a crucial support for Atlantic City's casino sector, particularly amid the economic closures mandated by Murphy during the initial stages of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hilary Chebra

"We believe this has been just a huge help to the casinos, particularly during the pandemic," said Hilary Chebra, manager of government relations for the Chamber of Commerce of Southern New Jersey, as reported by the NJ Spotlight News.

The bill seeking to renew the legalization of online casino gambling was first introduced last year. During an initial committee hearing, Assemblyman Don Guardian (R-Atlantic), a former Atlantic City mayor, said online gambling had become "an integral part of gaming in New Jersey."

Moreover, during her testimony before lawmakers last week, Chebra indicated that a total of 31 online gambling websites affiliated with the city’s nine casinos are now operating in New Jersey. "These gaming websites have been a huge asset to the region, particularly in South Jersey," Chebra said.

According to local media, tax revenue from online casino gambling has steadily grown at the state level. According to budget documents, in more recent years, it has become a more than $250 million source of annual tax collections for the state via the Casino Revenue Fund. As per latest reports, iGaming brought in nearly $159 million in April in New Jersey, up more than 16% from a year earlier. 

A similar bill in the Assembly was referred to the Assembly Appropriations Committee on Thursday. That bill is co-sponsored by Assembly members Don Guardian and Claire Swift, both R-Atlantic.