NEW JERSEY, says lobbyist William Pascrell III, is poised to become the Silicon Valley of Internet gambling. That sounds pretty impressive, but we have to wonder if its possible. More importantly, we dont think its even desirable.
Pascrell represents the online gambling industry and as such, he supports legislation permitting Internet wagering in New Jersey. A state Senate committee approved the bill this week and a similar bill is being considered by the Assembly.
Supporters say online gambling can increase casino revenue by as much as $250 million and bring the state $55 million annually in taxes. It may indeed do some of that, but it also would do something else: discourage people from visiting Atlantic City. And that makes no sense.
Governor Christie has spoken many times about remaking Atlantic City into a complete destination resort, a theme he most recently struck during opening ceremonies of the Revel Casino.
I think when folks see this place, theyll say, Ill spend a couple of days here, the governor told local reporters while touring the new, $2.4 billion casino-resort in late March. The key phrase is spend a couple of days in Atlantic City. That is what the state should be encouraging if it wishes to boost tourism there.
Internet gambling works against that goal by encouraging people to gamble at home as opposed to visiting Atlantic City and combining blackjack with patronizing city hotels, restaurants and other Boardwalk attractions. Besides giving gamblers a reason not to visit Atlantic City, we see other problems with the bill, notwithstanding proposed rules that are fairly strict. Players, who would create online accounts with casinos, would have to be 21 the same age they have to be to gamble in a casino and gambling would have to be done within state borders. As rigid as the regulations may be, it seems likely that some computer whiz would find a way to circumvent them.
An earlier version of the bill would have extended Internet wagering to the states horse-racing industry, but the governor vetoed it, partly because hes opposed to expanding gambling outside of Atlantic City. Christie should oppose this bill for the same reason.
There were high hopes for a revitalization of Atlantic City when casino gambling came to town in 1978. More than 30 years later, the anticipated turnaround has not occurred. Christie recognized that early in his term, expanding the powers of the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority to include planning and oversight of the citys prime tourist area.
In addition, the governor constantly promotes Atlantic City, sometimes by tweaking Las Vegas, the nations top gambling market, in the process. At a press conference last fall, he declared that those who visit Las Vegas in the heat of the summer are stupid and that they should head to the Boardwalk instead.
The best way to remake Atlantic City is to get more people to visit. Allowing people to gamble from their home computer is not the way to do that. This bill should be defeated. And if it passes, the governor should veto it again.
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