New Jersey is reaching milestones with its plans to offer internet gambling and betting to state residents. The state’s Division of Gaming Enforcement is busy compiling rules that gambling merchants and players must follow. One of the most important regulation states that all players must be at least 21 years old and must live in the state of New Jersey.
Another regulation established by the Division of Gaming Enforcement states gambling merchants must provide players with cautionary signs to prevent addiction and compulsive gambling. The most important regulation for New Jersey’s economy is the tax rule. The state will include a 15% tax on all players’ casino winnings.
Atlantic City has 12 casinos preparing to offer New Jersey residents online betting services, but the Division of Gaming Enforcement has not yet set a date for when these websites can launch. However, it is expected that players can begin placing bets online by the end of this year.
The Forefront of Internet Gambling
David Rebuck, the director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement claims that New Jersey is in the forefront of internet gambling. However, Nevada launched the first online gambling site in the United States back in April.
What does Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval have to say? “As to our competitor, New Jersey, they should be accustomed to following Nevada.” Governor Sandoval jokes, of course.
In February, the Nevada Division of Gaming Control Board passed a bill to allow residents to place bets for real money online. The regulations consist of being older than 21 years of age, having a legitimate social security number, and having a Nevada address.
Delaware has also passed a bill legalizing in-state online betting.
Trouble in the Magnolia State
Mississippi is also trying to make strides toward online betting and gambling. In February 2012, Representative Bobby Moak introduced the Mississippi Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2012, which the Mississippi House of Representatives Ways and Means Committee declined the following month. However, this past January, Rep. Moak introduced a new bill with a very familiar name — the Mississippi Lawful Internet Gaming Act of 2013.
The new bill was nearly identical to the old bill, which was declined, and was also declined shortly after introduction. Will Representative Bobby Moak try to pass an intrastate online gambling bill in Mississippi for a third time? Stay tuned for more information.
U.S. States on the Horizon
Many states are still actively working toward legalizing intrastate online gambling. Among them are California, Florida, Illinois, Iowa, Massachusetts, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington. For information about whether your state is trying to legalize online gambling, visit your local House of Representatives website.
