Collect ?em all ? statements from key players reacting to Governor Christie?s conditional veto today.
Tony Rodio, as President of the Casino Association of New Jersey, Inc. (?CANJ?):
?We are grateful for Governor Christie?s support for the implementation of internet gaming in Atlantic City and are carefully reviewing the Governor?s conditional veto statement. Our industry believes that internet gaming is essential to the continued stabilization, development and success of Atlantic City through the generation of meaningful revenue, jobs and resultant tax revenues ? objectives the Governor has always facilitated. It is extremely important to the industry that the Governor?s conditional veto statement focused on insuring that the authorizing legislation and licensing process requires that the highest levels of integrity and transparency are maintained for individuals and companies who desire to establish or participate in internet gaming operations in New Jersey.?
???
Poker Players Alliance:
?Today, Governor Christie took a critical step toward re-building New Jersey?s economy and establishing strong standards so that Internet gaming will be enjoyed responsibly,? said John Pappas, executive director of the PPA. ?While the New Jersey legislature has some work to do before this bill becomes law, we believe this is a victory for New Jersey residents who reached out to the Governor in droves expressing support for this bill. Now, New Jersey is well positioned to serve as a leader in the innovative Internet gambling market and can pave the way for other states to adapt similar structures moving forward. We urge the legislature to act swiftly to pass this important legislation.?
Atlantic City, which has long been known as the east coast hub for gambling and entertainment, has steadily been declining in the face of fierce competition from neighboring states. Just recently, the state?s annual casino revenue was surpassed by Pennsylvania. Under this bill, the regulated online gambling market in New Jersey is expected to add $210 million and $250 million in gross revenue for the state and up to 1,900 jobs for New Jersey residents.
?The Governor?s decision today is a testament to the thousands of New Jersey residents who wrote, called and tweeted the Governor to urge his support of a safe, fair environment for players to enjoy the game of poker online,? said PPA?s State Director, Anthony Salerno, a police Captain who resides in Howell, NJ. ?Now, the state of New Jersey is poised to protect residents from fraudulent non-regulated providers and ensure the underaged and problem gamblers cannot access internet gambling websites, while also providing much-needed investment back into Atlantic City Casinos to breathe life back into our great state.?
??.
Michael Frawley, COO of the Atlantic Club Casino Hotel (which may soon be taken over, of course, by the parent company of PokerStars):
?We are thrilled with Governor Christie?s landmark decision. Today is an historic day for Atlantic City?s gaming industry, it?s employees, and the State of New Jersey. The vision demonstrated by New Jersey?s legislators and our Governor have positioned Atlantic City as the leader in what is certain to become a new gaming model. Atlantic City?s gaming industry is once again setting the precedent.?
??..
PokerStars? statement to pokerfuse.com:
????.
Assemblyman John Burzichelli, D-Gloucester:
?I will be taking a closer look at the governor?s conditional veto but at first glance his suggestions appear acceptable to me. I appreciate the governor taking the time to study the bill and his willingness to let Atlantic City?s casinos take this leap into the future. If we?re going to keep our gaming industry competitive, we need Internet gaming. It?s that simple. I?m going to analyze the conditional veto further, but as of now, I expect to move forward with it and get this done as quickly as possible for the benefit of our casino industry, its employees and our economy.?
???..
State Sen. Ray Lesniak:
?This is good news and a big win for Atlantic City and for New Jersey. It will send a huge lifeline to the casinos by producing more jobs and additional revenue. It will help them recover from the gaming losses that have plagued the casinos in recent years. It could even save some casinos from closing their doors. At the same time, it will contribute to the state?s economic recovery and generate more revenue for state programs for seniors and the disabled.
This is the future of gaming. It will give the Atlantic City casinos the opportunity to be the ?Silicon Valley of internet gaming? by positioning them to be the hub of future expansion into other states. I will work to make the recommended changes to the legislation and get it returned to the Governor for enactment.?
State Sen. James Whelan:
?The Governor?s recommendations to the Internet gaming legislation are simple changes that can be made to tighten up the bill, while ensuring that we move forward with what will be a boon for the economy of Atlantic City. For a community that has been struggling in recent years as a result of out-of-state gaming competition, opening New Jersey gaming up to Internet wagering will be the life raft that Atlantic City needs. The revenue raised through Internet wagering will have had a real impact on the economy of Atlantic City ? not only helping to keep struggling casinos afloat, but also ensuring the continuous employment of thousands of residents.
?As one of the first states to adopt Internet gaming, New Jersey and Atlantic City could become a hub for a high tech industry with thousands of jobs and billions of dollars in revenue. I am happy that the Governor has agreed in concept and that we as a state will be able to be a part of the future of gaming rather than mired in status quo that is struggling to keep up.
?I?m a little disappointed that it?s taken so long to get here, but happy that the finish line is in sight. However, the fight to strengthen our casino industry is not yet over. From sports wagering to online gaming and many other innovative practices, we need to keep all options on the table to ensure that a major economic engine for New Jersey and Atlantic City is not only sustained, but encouraged to grow.?
???..
Donald Weinbaum, executive director on The Council on Compulsive Gambling of NJ, Inc (from a phone interview):
?The bill increases the set-asides for treatment and other counseling services [from $150K annually to $250K], so we absolutely are encouraged that there is a real recognition by the Governor of the needs of the state for additional services from the fact of the addictive potential of internet gambling. The notice requiring an annual review of the impacts of the new gambling to be a plus. It means more attention to a growing health concern.?
??..
And last but not least, just in case you missed Governor Christie?s press release that I posted earlier:
?Recognizing the value and potential of internet gaming to support his Administration?s efforts to revitalize Atlantic City, Governor Chris Christie today put forward a balanced proposal to support the implementation of internet gaming in New Jersey in a careful, measured and responsible way. Governor Christie concludes that now is the right time for the state to move forward and again lead the nation by becoming one of the first states to permit Internet gaming, but only with the right limitations and protections.
?This bill represents an important policy decision for the residents of New Jersey, and a historic opportunity to continue the State?s leadership as a premiere destination for tourism and entertainment. Such a significant step must be carefully considered, balancing the benefits of job creation, economic development, and the continued revitalization of Atlantic City against the risks of addiction, corruption and improper influence. It is my duty as Governor to make these determinations, always mindful of my duty to guarantee the continued welfare of our families, our neighbors, and the future generations who will call our State home,? said Governor Christie.
The Governor?s proposal, contained in his conditional veto of Assembly Bill 2578, recommends critical, but commonsense safeguards to limit risks of gambling addiction, corruption and improper influence while fostering benefits of job creation and continued economic development and revitalization of Atlantic City.
?My proposal continues the tradition in New Jersey of a fine, careful, and well-regulated implementation of gaming. With these changes, we will increase resources to treat compulsive gambling, provide sensible safeguards to ensure careful oversight and a proper annual review of the implementation of internet gaming, along with a 10-year sunset for future leaders to carefully reevaluate internet gaming as a state policy broadly and critical transparency measures to guard against undue and improper influence and self-dealing,? continued the Governor.
To accomplish these competing interests and societal protections, Governor Christie?s conditional veto of Assembly Bill 2578 recommends:
? Extending existing prohibitions on casino-related employment and representation for state employees and Legislators to Internet gaming licensees and their promoters and affiliates.
? Establishing a sensible requirement that state elected officials promptly disclose their past and present representations of entities seeking or holding Internet gaming licenses.
? An enhanced level of funding for compulsive gambling treatment programs and additional financial support for other beneficial purposes for which casino gaming was originally authorized.
In his conditional veto, the Governor gave great weight to concerns over the potential spread of excessive gambling. ?Our State cannot carelessly create a new generation of addicted gamers, sitting in their homes, using laptops or iPads, gambling their salaries and their futures,? he said. To protect against such a proliferation of gambling addiction, the Governor further proposes the requirement of an annual analysis of the potential harms associated with these new games to be undertaken at the expense of the gaming licensees. Furthermore, he recommends that Internet gaming and its societal impact should be studied and periodically revisited. To that end, he proposes that the law sunset after a period of 10 years, giving future policy-makers the opportunity to revise and renew the law if appropriate.
The Governor?s careful adoption of an Internet gaming law comes in the context and builds upon his efforts to revive Atlantic City, protect and grow its tourism base and create jobs. Since the start of his Administration, the Governor confronted the complex challenges threatening Atlantic City?s unrivaled combination of natural seaside beauty, world-class attractions and easy access from around the world. One of his earliest acts as Governor was to establish an Advisory Commission on Gaming, Sports and Entertainment to study issues and develop a comprehensive approach to preserving Atlantic City?s stature as a premiere resort destination. Among the results of those efforts was the establishment of a Tourism District with a comprehensive initiative to address blight and public safety.
The Tourism District Law led to a $30 million marketing plan and the realignment of State gaming agencies to minimize bureaucracy while enhancing oversight. Also in 2011, the Governor signed a second bill into law enacting the most comprehensive overhaul of the State?s casino regulations since 1977. This reform eliminated many significantly outdated regulators burdens, allowing the casino industry to reinvest and redevelop throughout the Tourism District.
A-2578/S-1565 was sponsored by Senators Ray Lesniak (D-Union) and Jim Whelan (D-Atlantic) and Assemblymembers John Burzichelli (D-Cumberland, Gloucester and Salem), Vincent Prieto (D-Bergen and Hudson), and Ruben Ramos (D-Hudson).?
Comments
Powered by Facebook Comments
Coptic Christian saturday night live julio cesar chavez jr Topless Kate university of texas UT Austin Lizzie Velasquez
No comments:
Post a Comment
Note: Only a member of this blog may post a comment.