Press of Atlantic City – When New Jersey enters the Internet gambling age this week, the move will mark the largest expansion of gambling since Atlantic City legalized casinos in 1978. It also means the state will launch the most complex and heavily trafficked online gambling industry to legally operate in the United States.
With that comes challenges and learning experiences, industry leaders say. Most tout confidence in the protections offered to consumers but acknowledge that, moreso than any other state with legalized online gambling, New Jersey faces the task of constantly monitoring its borders and large commuter population.
What’s more, the industry that’s predicted to bring in millions in revenue to the state is also expected to have more players and more competitors seeking attention than any other Internet gambling market.
“This is a tremendous undertaking. What we’re talking about is a new and complex industry with a lot of participants. In Nevada, we were the only player for six months,” said Tom Breitling, founder and chairman of Ultimate Gaming. “In New Jersey there are a number of players, and we’re not sure how many will be ready at the start.”
New Jersey isn’t the first to launch online gambling. Nevada beat the Garden State to the punch in April by launching the first legal real-money wagering in the country with poker-only.
