Thursday’s dramatic last minute conditional veto by New Jersey Governor Chris Christie of an online gambling legalisation bill (see previous report) has been widely seen as a temporary obstacle that will be relatively straight-forward to overcome.
A conditional veto allows the state Legislature to reconsider a measure, amend it appropriately and then return it to the governor for signature into law. Sen. Ray Lesniak has already indicated that he will be driving such an initiative almost immediately.
Among the many positive reactions to the conditional veto Thursday was one from Pokerstars, whose Rational Group parent is currently involved in getting permission from the New Jersey authorities to acquire the Atlantic Club land casino…clearly with one eye on the possibility of legalised online poker if it is operated from an Atlantic City casino as laid down in the vetoed measure.
The Isle of Man-based online poker giant issued a statement expressing the hope that state legislators would press ahead quickly with making the necessary amendments to lift the veto and get the governor to sign the Lesniak bill into state law.
““We have consistently said that this bill will drive economic development and job creation in New Jersey and are committed to play our part in that process,” the Pokerstars statement advises.
“We are pleased that Governor Christie sees the significant benefits of mixing online and offline gaming.
“The most important thing, though, is that all parties work collaboratively to bring this bill back for signature quickly so that Atlantic City and New Jersey can begin to benefit from this proven global model for successful gaming.”
Christie, who describes his required amendments as “minor”, wants to impose a ten year trial period with a higher tax rate of 15 percent instead of the 10 percent currently proposed.