New Jersey Senator Ray Lesniak has tweeted that he expects the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement to allow Pokerstars into the intrastate online gambling market by March 2015…but he has been wrong before, predicting back in September last year that a licence would be issued in a matter of weeks (see previous reports).
Lesniak acknowledged this week that his prediction had been somewhat out, explaining that the continuing delays in granting a licence to Pokerstars were politically influenced and reflected what he saw as regulatory window dressing on the issue.
The New Jersey senator also acknowledged that the Coalition to Stop Internet Gambling crusade being waged against online gambling by land casino multi-billionaire Sheldon Adelson may also have contributed to making the issue more sensitive.
Adelson is a major Republican Party donor, and New Jersey governor Chris Christie, a Republican, is reportedly interested in being nominated for president next time around.
Despite holding a partnership with an Atlantic City land casino as required by the New Jersey regulator, and a complete change in ownership since its acquisition by Amaya Gaming last year, Pokerstars has been kept waiting for its licence by the regulator for months.
The irony is that the company has a reputation for being one of the most efficient and reputable in the international online gambling industry, testament perhaps to the inherently business protectionist nature of US gambling.