New Jersey's Gaming Committee wants new licensing procedures

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, Chairman of the Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and Arts Committee, has recently come out with a sponsored bill that would back new licensing procedures and requirements for those online gambling operators.

New Jersey gambling industry seems to be going through a rough patch, as the market revenues are not accomplishing the expected results. Assemblyman Ralph Caputo’s committee has backed a new online gambling bill, 7 – 0, that would change the way online operations are made this moment. However, such bill must go to the NJ State’s Assembly before it is applied to all the online gambling market. The Assembly Tourism, Gaming, and Arts Committee’s bill requires that any online gambling operator must obtain a casino license in order for them to operate such type of business. The online gambling operators from New Jersey would have to apply for a land-based casino license; the bill would also ban the waiver of any other licensing requirements. So far, online gambling operators were only required to obtain a casino service license that has been granted by NJ’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, an Essex County Democrat who had been part of the gambling industry during his role in Atlantic City as a casino executive, does not seem to find enough rules for the online gaming industry. His analysis of the online gambling market has led him to see online casinos like any other ordinary land-based casino. Ralph Caputo has said: “I was never a fan of internet gaming, to be honest with you, but if we are going to do it, we should do it right. You’re not selling linens, you’re not selling cups, you’re operating an internet casino and the integrity of those games has to be on the same level as casino gaming.” The NJDGE, the one who is addressing all gambling matters, will only conduct several investigations in order to prevent harming the industry. Caputo’s point of view continues being hard on the online gambling industry; his criticism against the online industry is very well known in the gambling market already and, although interesting, the New Jersey Casino Control Commission will be the only one making a decision on the licensing procedures and requirements.