Several US states are on the way to approving online gambling this year, but a serious attempt at changing federal legislation looks less likely as the Presidential election draws closer to its climax.
New Jersey could potentially be the first state to approve Internet gambling and dominate a market worth billions of dollars, after Seton Hall law professor and constitutional expert John Wefing told an Assembly panel this week that he does not believe voters need to approve the legislation in order to make it legal.
Governor Chris Christie vetoed a law last year, citing concerns about its constitutionality, but Wefing said existing law gives the Legislature and the governor the power to decide which forms of gambling are appropriate for Atlantic City. This means computer servers could be located in Atlantic City, but used to process and accept bets from other locations.
While the good news keeps coming at state level, experts in the internet gambling arena continue to raise doubts about federal legalization on online poker, citing the fact that lawmakers will be reluctant to touch the issue as the US Presidential Elections draw ever closer.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has promised he will push through legislation, and casino companies and lobby groups have pushed for a law that will regulate online poker and allow states to opt out if they choose. But Bally exec John Connelly said this week that an election year makes things more complicated, saying the gridlock in Congress would provide an obstacle.
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