Press of Atlantic City – David Rebuck, director of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, said in an interview that the original total of players for Internet gambling programs was more than 50,000. As of this past Monday, that number has increased by 3,000 daily, for a total of 71,000.
The majority of them are from near the borders of New York state and Pennsylvania, Rebuck said in the interview, which will be broadcast at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 21, on WMGM-TV 40. He also noted that there were thousands more who attempted to play but couldn’t because they were either in Europe or states other than New Jersey and therefore unable to under the current law.
Rebuck noted that Internet gambling has been going on in Europe for more than 20 years. He said they are currently considering being able to have compacts with not only other states in the U.S., but also European countries that have Internet gambling.
Rebuck said he was endeavoring to work with states outside of New Jersey to connect their slot players and thereby come up with jackpots that will total hundreds of millions of dollars. This would be similar to the jackpots that have been seen in lotteries across the nation. It is interesting to note that, in the past few months, Nevada has been seeking legislation that would allow them to engage in this type of program.
Based on the reaction to New Jersey’s Internet gambling, several states in our area are considering legislation that would allow their residents to participate in our state’s Internet gambling. A compact may be set up between the states as to how the revenues from the players would be split.
When queried as to how many employees would be involved in the online wagering, Rebuck estimated the number would be as high as 300. He also said he believes the casinos that have Internet gambling will be working diligently to get players from across the state to visit the bricks-and-mortar casinos in Atlantic City.
