克里斯·克里斯蒂批准新泽西在线赌场和扑克法律(2)

　　译文：

　　Chris Christie Approves New Jersey Online Casino and Poker Law

　　FollowNew Jersey Governor Chris Christie has finally approved the state's new online gambling law. The new law officially legalizes online poker and online casino games in New Jersey.

　　The New Jersey Senate and Assembly have yesterday approved a bill that legalizes online casino games and online poker in the state. The bill contained the modifications requested by the Governor a few weeks ago. After the bill was approved, Governor Christie officially signed it into law.

　　According to the new law, online casino gaming and online poker are now officially legal in New Jersey. However, online gambling services can only be offered by New Jersey land-based casinos. The law in question was implemented with the intention of reviving the New Jersey gambling industry and not with the intention of allowing offshore operators to access the market.

　　However, offshore operators have the possibility to apply for a New Jersey online gambling license if they manage to form a partnership with a New Jersey land-based casino. Another solution is to actually buy such as casino, much like what PokerStars intends to do.

　　Initially the state's online gambling law received a conditional veto from Governor Chris Christie. A few weeks ago Christie explained that he would only sign the bill if lawmakers would implement certain modifications. The modifications were implemented yesterday and as such the Governor approved the bill.

　　One of Christie's requests was to increase online gambling taxes to 15% from the initially proposed 10%. Likewise, the Governor asked for the licensing fees imposed by the new law to be doubled. Christie also requested lawmakers to offer more funding for problem gambling prevention programs.

　　The bill was initially introduced by State Senator Ray Lesniak. Lesniak explained that the legalization of online gambling has the power to save the rapidly declining New Jersey land-based casino industry. Online gambling would also create a lot of much needed jobs in the state.

　　According to the new law, online gambling operations will officially be launched in 90 to 180 days. Experts however think that it might take a bit longer until the market would be up and running under proper conditions and with maximum efficiency.

　　New Jersey legalized online poker and online casino games just a few days after competing state Nevada approved its own modified online poker bill. However in Nevada it's not yet sure when real money online poker activities will commence.