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Roger Gros, the publisher of Global Gaming Business magazine and a longtime Atlantic City insider, is reporting that New Jersey Governor Chris Christie is considering a “conditional veto” of an Internet gambling bill that currently sits on his desk. The Governor must act by next Thursday February 7 or else the bill automatically becomes law.
Gros tweeted Wednesday afternoon:
“Sources in NJ tell me Gov. Christie considering a “conditional” veto of online bill. But only because Dems are blocking his other plans.”
A “conditional veto” means that the Governor objects to certain language in the bill and would request further amendments. The state Legislature would then vote on the bill again with the added amendments for Christie’s signature.
John Brennan of NorthJersey.com noted one potential concern Christie might have with the current bill:
The most likely issue presumably is the fact that the bill on Christie’s desk allows for the possibility of any casino game being made available to online players as well. That’s more expansive than Nevada Senator Harry Reid’s proposed Congressional bill, or the state law that Nevada passed last year. Both of those allow only for online poker.
Brennan also suggests it might be a logistical challenge to rush the new bill through before “the annual budget drama that often consumes Trenton for months”, not to mention this is an Election year for, not just the Governor, but also the entire 120-member Senate and Assembly delegation.
- Chris Costigan, Gambling911.com Publisher
