Gov. Chris Christie recently vetoed yet another proposal supporting online gaming in New Jersey. However, the 31-page veto has conditional terms that promises he’ll approve the bill once the Senate makes the necessary changes. The amended bill could change the direction of Atlantic City’s continuing reduced revenue by bringing online poker back to Atlantic City casinos for state residents.
PokerStars’ interest in obtaining a gaming license for New Jersey has persuaded the state to make the recent modifications of the amended bill. The online gaming company has maintained a suitable reputation by paying off all U.S. online players and investing in on-land locations in casinos throughout Europe and the UK. It is seeking to purchase the Atlantic Club Casino to make Atlantic City the market base for its return to America. Despite the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act and forced charges on online poker companies, the market still remains its highest in the United States. The $50 million purchase could prove to be a smart investment for Atlantic City revenue, but may be a threat to other brands such as Caesars if the established online company becomes a big hit as an on-land casino.
The first virtual hand is expected to be dealt by this fall. That being said, there are many demands that must be approved for online gaming to be back in business. The governor proposes many steps in fulfilling the contingency. According to his tweet, Christie “(supports) online gaming with safeguards in place (to) limit risk of gambling addiction while fostering revitalization of AC.”
His position on the matter calls for annual analysis on habitual gambling addiction potentials and the stipulations on the societal results of online gaming. The bill, if approved, will be under a 10-year sunset, which gives the law an opportunity for legislators to review its validity at the end of the term. In addition, the tax revenue for online gaming will increase from 10 percent to 15 percent. Nothing is for certain, but the online gambling bill likely to become law. Christie hopes the changes made to the bill will help its progression toward becoming a law and help revive Atlantic City in a responsible way.
In other news, the WSOPC at Caesars Atlantic City runs until March 11 and returns to Harrah’s Philadelphia on April 25.
— Jo Kim is Ante Up’s Atlantic City-Philadelphia Ambassador. Email her at anteupjokim@gmail.com.
Winter Poker Open, Borgata, Atlantic City, Jan. 15-Feb. 1
Event 1 • $560 NLHE
Entries: 3,871 • Pool: $1.935M
Joseph Stiers, $318,104
Event 2 • $500 NLHE
Entries: 865 • Pool: $302,750
Tom Dobrilovic, $67,546
Event 3 • $560 NLHE
Entries: 396 • Pool: $198K
Robert Quigley, $51,860
Event 4 • $560 PLO
Entries: 194 • Pool: $97K
Michael Linster, $28,225
Event 5 • $400 NLHE
Entries: 1,087 • Pool: $380,450
Pearce Arnold, $81,182
Event 6 • $1,090 NLHE
Entries: 197 • Pool: $197
Aaron Massey, $57,326
Event 7 • $400 NLHE
Entries: 300 • Pool: $105K
Sean Wallace, $24,381
Event 8 • $300 Ladies
Entries: 135 • Pool: $35,100
Judy Follmer, $10,213
Event 9 • $500 Stud
Entries: 27 • Pool: $12,150
Alan Goodman, $5,303
Event 10 • $500 NLHE
Entries: 439 • Pool: $153,650
Michael Linster, $38,081
Event 11 • $500 6-Max
Entries: 286 • Pool: $114,400
Ting Ho, $28,294
Event 12 • $560 H.O.R.S.E.
Entries: 89 • Pool: $44,500
Allen Kessler, $15,107
Event 13 • $300 NLHE
Entries: 1,264 • Pool: $328,640
James Kirschenheuter, $68,548
Event 14 • $1,650 M-M
Entries: 93 • Pool: $139,500
Jeffrey Papola, $42,623
Event 15 • $560 NLHE
Entries: 277 • Pool: $138,500
Brian Lemke, $37,619
Event 16 • $400 Seniors
Entries: 214 • Pool: $74,900
Joe Degeorge, $20,342
Event 17 • $400 O/8
Entries: 147 • Pool: $51,450
Robert Scofield, $14,973
Event 18 • $1,090 6-Max
Entries: 344 • Pool: $344K
Vimy Ha, $81,754
Event 19 • $400 NLHE
Entries: 678 • Pool: $237,300
Diana Shashoum, $55,260
Event 20 • $560 NLHE
Entries: 348 • Pool: $174K
Zach Schwartz, $45,564
$3,500 Main Event
Entries: 1,042 • Pool: $3.4M
Yung Hwang, $730,053
Event 22 • $450 NLHE
Entries: 231 • Pool: $92,400
Anthony Ruberto, $25,093
Event 23 • $230 NLHE
Entries: 782 • Pool: $156,400
Eric Tal, $35,199
Event 24 • $330 NLHE
Entries: 240 • Pool: $48K
William O’Brien, $13,038
Event 25 • $200 NLHE
Entries: 372 • Pool: $63,240
Robert Zybura, $16,567
