Will New Jersey extend their online gambling legislature for another decade?

For centuries now, the state of New Jersey has maintained a flexible and permissive approach towards gambling and casinos, and has long been known for being one of the most gambling friendly states in the US. Notably, New Jersey’s Freehold Raceway is the oldest racetrack in the United States, and has been hosting horse races ever since it informally opened way back in the 1830s!

This legacy lives on in 2022, as in modern day New Jersey, the industry continues to thrive. Residents of New Jersey have been living at the forefront of the US online casino scene for some time now, and get to enjoy access to some of the most top-rated sites in the nation. If this is all news to you, we loved this insightful list from Time2play.com of the best New Jersey online casinos out there today. New Jersey – and Atlantic City of course – seem to come to mind for many when they think of the forerunners of legal online casinos in the US.

Gambling and casinos have always had a complex history across the USA and the rest of the world, and the state of New Jersey is certainly no exception to the rule. We still hear plenty of disagreements in these ongoing gambling debates, with arguments about legislation and regulation continuing at both the state and federal level. Some folks love gambling and lobby for increased freedoms and choice for gamblers, while others highlight the potential risks and harms that may face players in an industry that remains controversial to this day. It’s certainly been interesting to look at New Jersey’s stake in the debate, as its permissive state legislature still remains subject to changes in the tides.

Back in May 2018, the Supreme Court made the historic decision to overturn the federal ban on sports betting and legalize gambling activity in the US. New Jersey responded quickly with Assembly Bill 4111, which legalized sports betting and online and mobile sports betting within the state. Since then, digital spending and gambling at online casinos has continued to expand and thrive in New Jersey and beyond, and has arguably become more far-reaching and lucrative than the state’s longstanding brick-and-mortar casinos.

Due to the ongoing growth and success of New Jersey’s online casino industry, it seems pretty likely that the state will extend their online gambling legislature for another decade. Online wagering was first allowed back in 2013, and the proposed extension to this legislation would see this being taken all the way through to 2033. This would allow for continued expansion and innovation in the industry, and further contribute to this rapidly growing revenue stream. Many of those arguing for the legislation’s extension have highlighted the massive revenue brought into the state by online casinos. The COVID-19 pandemic certainly accelerated this growth, and the results for state revenue have been astonishing – legal online casinos in New Jersey brought in over $1B dollars in 2021. Casino taxes also fund a variety of services in the state, meaning the continued legal status of online casinos could be important for the continuation of social projects in New Jersey.

For those in favor of extending New Jersey’s online gambling legislature, they argue it would be a real shame to curtail the industry at this vital moment in its history. With other US states following in New Jersey’s footsteps and bringing in competitors to the legal online casino industry, many argue that New Jersey should focus on maintaining its leading position in the growing gaming operations nationwide. Some have noted that online casinos are continuously becoming safer and more user friendly, especially with the increasing usage of secure payment providers and highly developed encryption technology. However, there are still those who will argue that the legislation needs further restrictions, rather than extensions, due to concerns about player safety and wellbeing.

It’s an interesting moment in the history of New Jersey’s permissive gambling legislature. If no further legislative action is taken, all iGaming sites in the state would have to shut down within about a year. This would be a seriously dramatic shift in the state’s approach to the online casino and gambling industry. We think it’s highly unlikely, though, as it seems pretty clear that the legislation will be extended for another decade. New Jersey’s reputation for iGaming is so far-reaching and well established that many would find it astonishing if all that progress and economic prowess was thrown out with the trash.

If the bill passes, online gambling will enjoy another ten years of operations in New Jersey – with potentially massive results for the state’s economy and iGaming industry. It is seriously likely that the bill will pass, which many argue will be good news for all lovers of the iGaming industry in New Jersey and beyond.