New Jersey Democratic leaders denounce proposed congressional ban of online gambling

While Republican Senator Lindsey Graham of South Carolina and Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein of California are sponsors of a recent bill to ban gambling, state Senate President Stephen Sweeney, and other elected officials also pointed to the backing of billionaire casino mogul Sheldon Adelson as the driving force behind the anti-online gaming legislation.

"It is disappointing that certain elements are working to dismantle New Jersey's landmark internet gambling law," said Sweeney. “We have quickly become a national leader in the world of internet gambling, and we simply cannot afford to have all our hard work and effort undone by the whims of a few down in Washington."

State Senator Ray Lesniak, the chief backer of expanded gambling efforts in the legislature, stressed that “Congress should leave us alone.”“Instead of a dangerous, overseas black market, consumers in the state of New Jersey have a safe place to go – a program that not only includes essential consumer protections, but also generates thousands of dollars in revenue,” Lesniak said.

Lesniak and other supporters say safeguards are in place against teenagers getting online to gamble and that technology can now accurately restrict play to those who are within New Jersey state borders.Internet gambling went live in New Jersey in November, with combined gross revenues to Atlantic City’s casinos reaching nearly US$12 million in March.