Fox News – Congress banned online gambling in 2006. But new laws across the nation are rolling the rules back — and lawmakers think they’re holding a royal flush. Mega-entrepreneur Richard Branson’s Virgin Group is the latest entry in online gambling, teaming with the Tropicana Resort in Atlantic City and online game maker Gamesys to bring online poker, blackjack and slots to New Jersey this week. Gov. Chris Christie validated the vice in the waning weeks of 2013, saying he hoped to rake in $1 billion in casino revenues this year, of which the state will collect a 17 percent tax.
And New Jersey isn’t alone; eight other states have bills in the works that will allow Internet gambling as well. Nevada and Delaware also began offering some online gambling last year, but New Jersey is the first state to “fully” legalize it, said Lee Fenton, the chief operating officer of Gamesys.
“There will be many games to play online in New Jersey,” Fenton told FoxNews.com. “Blackjack, slots. Not just poker.”
Players must be at least 21 years old, and either reside in New Jersey or be in the state when they place their bets. They play against the house at Virgin Casino, and they can finance their wagers with debit cards, credit cards, or in person.
“Those from other states can play, but they cannot wager,” Fenton said. “The technology is rolling out this week.”
To prevent unauthorized access, Virgin Casino physically locates gamers’ cellphones periodically. “If we are unable to determine that you are in New Jersey, you will be unable to play on Virgin Casino,” the site notes. If your phone is off, or if you’re too near state borders, you may not be allowed to play.
