Illegal gaming sites operating offshore have picked up their efforts to convert players from New Jersey lately. Even since the state passed legislation to regulate online betting, offshore operators have intensified efforts to entice gamblers in the state to their unauthorized sites. This according to an executive at one of the companies authorized to offer online gambling.
The State Division of Gaming Enforcement confirmed it was aware of the activity of these illegal gaming sites, and that they are taking steps to coordinate an appropriate response to this illegal activity,” said Kerry Langan, a spokeswoman. Asked for details, Langan said only that “the illegal activity is offshore companies offering online gaming to New Jersey residents without licensing or approval” by authorities.
There’s increased activity by offshore operators again into New Jersey, driving heavy promotions. There’s new companies coming now who are actually trying to capitalize on that opportunity,” Norbert Teufelberger, chief executive of Bwin.Party Digital Entertainment P.L.C., said in a March conference call with investors. “It’s quite amazing how high the criminal energy can be, but we are quite confident that the [Division of Gaming Enforcement] will shut that down quite efficiently and soon,” added Teufelberger, whose Gibraltar firm is partnered with Borgata in New Jersey.
John Shepherd, a spokesman for Bwin.Party, said Friday the federal Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act of 2006 did not stop all overseas illegal gaming sites from allowing people in the United States to gamble online. “It’s only companies like ourselves that switched off,” Shepherd said. This story originally appeared on the Philly.com website.
