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Thursday, December 27, 2012
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SWEENEY, LESNIAK, WHELAN, VAN DREW CALL ON GOVERNOR TO SIGN INTERNET GAMING BILL
Ask Atlantic County Officials to Join Effort to Bring AC Casino Industry into 21st Century
TRENTON – Senate President Steve Sweeney, Senator Raymond J. Lesniak, Senator Jim Whelan and Senator Jeff Van Drew today sent a letter to Governor Chris Christie urging him to sign legislation, sponsored by Senator Lesniak and Assemblyman John Burzichelli, that would legalize Internet gaming in New Jersey, bringing the state’s casino industry into the 21st Century while realizing hundreds of millions of dollars in tax revenue for New Jersey.
“Given the fiscal conditions facing our casinos, especially in the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy, and the recent movement toward Internet gaming in states across the country, we cannot afford to wait any longer for implementation,” the lawmakers wrote.
“The fact is, Atlantic City has the potential to become a hub of Internet gaming, which will create more jobs, more revenue for casinos and generate more funding for critical programs for senior citizens and residents with disabilities,” the legislators added. “The short term benefits would be in the form of increased economic activity, increased jobs and increased tax revenues, at very little cost to the state. Over the long term, Internet gaming could change the landscape of the gaming industry in New Jersey.”
The lawmakers are also called on state, county and local elected officials in the Atlantic City region to join the effort to bring about Internet gaming in New Jersey. The bill was sponsored in the Senate by Senators Lesniak and Whelan, and in the Assembly by Assemblymen Burzichelli, Vincent Prieto and Ruben Ramos.
Click here to read the legislators' letter to the Governor.