GPWA Times Magazine - Issue 26 - October 2013

By J Todd, Host, APCW Perspectives Weekly N ormally, the back page of the GPWA Times Magazine is a place where I get to take out my righteous indignation on an unwitting – but very deserving – target of my vitriol. A year ago, however, we broke from tradition to honor Judge Jack Weinstein, who declared poker a game of skill, as our first inductee onto our Wall of Fame. In this issue, we’re once again going to honor a fine individual for his contribu- tions to our industry: New Jersey Gover- nor Chris Christie. Christie turned heads when he condition- ally vetoed a bill that would regulate In- ternet gambling in his state earlier this year. When lawmakers made the changes to the bill that he requested, he signed it almost immediately, making New Jersey the third state in the nation to regulate our industry. And while New Jersey may be the third state in, it is undoubtedly the most impor- tant. Delaware was first to act, but with a population under 1 million, won’t be that big a player in the online gambling indus- try. Nevada, with a population three times the size of Delaware and a robust tourism industry to boot, could have had a bigger impact. But the Silver State opted for a poker-only regulatory scheme, which will limit the player base and revenues as a re- sult. New Jersey, on the other hand, boasts a population of 8.8 million (11th in the United States), and Internet gambling regulations that allow any game offered by a brick-and-mortar property to be of- fered online. Once the state’s casinos begin offering on- line slots, table games and poker later this year, New Jersey will become the test case for regulated online gambling in the Unit- ed States. If successful, New Jersey will likely become a model that many states will look to follow. Make no mistake, Christie has voiced con- cerns about the industry and whether it will be possible to properly enforce age restrictions and verify customer locations. He is also concerned about the law’s im- pact on problem gambling in the state; one of the revisions he requested will pro- vide more funds to help people who have gambling problems. But despite these res- ervations, Christie believes that moving forward with online gambling regulation – and the revenue it will raise – will be good for the state. It’s one thing to make a bold decision on Internet gambling; it’s another one en- tirely when that decision flies in the face of the conservative wing of your political party, especially when you’re entertaining a possible run at your party’s nomination for the presidency in 2016. So kudos to you, Chris Christie, for doing what’s best for your state and the gam- bling industry in New Jersey. Let’s hope more politicians follow your lead. APCW Wall of Fame