(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Ralph Caputo on Thursday announced his support for legislation that would enable New Jersey residents to place wagers on Atlantic City casino games via the Internet.
Caputo said the bill – S-490 sponsored by Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) and A-2570 sponsored by Assemblyman John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Cumberland/Salem) – needs to be part of any plan to reform New Jersey’s gaming industry, along with bringing video lottery terminals to the Meadowlands Racetrack.
“This bill needs to be part of the puzzle, as do video lottery terminals at the Meadowlands” said Caputo (D-Essex). “No matter which way you look at it, Internet gaming is a reality. If our casinos are going to be successful in the future, Internet gaming needs to be a part of the options they offer, just as VLTs need to be a part of the Meadowlands if it’s to be successful in the future.”
Caputo continues to push his own separate bills (A-2458 and A-2550) that would authorize the installation of the video lottery terminals at the Meadowlands to be developed and operated by the NJ Sports and Exposition Authority under the umbrella of the New Jersey Lottery Commission.
“I believe the creation of such a facility would reinvigorate New Jersey’s gaming industry, generate between $500 million to $700 million annually in recurring net revenue for the state and create 1,500 top 2,000 new jobs”, said Caputo. “During these cash-strapped times for New Jersey, this is a proposal that along with Internet gaming should be given careful consideration, and the sooner the better.”
