ONLINE GAMING COULD BE GAME CHANGER FOR ATLANTIC CITY
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ATLANTIC CITY--Members of the Casino Association of New Jersey are meeting Tuesday night and are discussing the possibility of online gaming coming to the Garden State, now that the federal government says in-state bets do not violate the law. Analysts say it could mean great things for Atlantic City, if the bill is passed this time around.

"If they wanna bring revenue, that's the way to do it." While Monica McKenna prefers to do her gambling inside one of Atlantic City's casinos, she and many others, are all for legalizing online gaming here in New Jersey. "I think it's a good idea, if they wanna bring revenue into Atlantic City and New Jersey, they should do it."

"It would attract a lot more people here," agreed Helmut Rojewski, of Galloway.

"It would be a real game changer for the city." Casino analysts agree, and believe that by allowing New Jersey residents, 21 and older, who under the proposal could bet online anywhere within the state's borders, would ultimately benefit the seaside resort. "I think it would be very helpful for New Jersey, helpful for the casinos. They would be able to market themselves online, they would develop players in the rest of the state, they could bring them to Atlantic City," said Roger Gros, Editor of Global Gaming Business and Casino Connection, "they could offer free rooms, free buffets, for steady online players, so that would increase the traffic, increase the revenue in Atlantic City."

Online betting nearly became a reality in New Jersey last year when a bill was almost unanimously passed through the legislature, but the governor vetoed it, fearing it would violate federal law. If it had passed, the Garden State would've been the first in the country to offer internet gambling, but now Nevada is leading the charge, and the race is on to be #2. "California wants to do it, Florida wants to do it, Iowa wants to do it," said Gros, "so whoever gets in first will be the epicenter for the online gaming industry in the United States."

While some have concerns, "You go online, how do you know underage people aren't betting," asked Ken Zane, officials say strict controls would be in place to prevent such abuse.

Analysts say it's this kind of forward thinking that Atlantic City needs to try to improve its continuing revenue slump. "We're bumping along the bottom right now," said Gros, "and something like online gaming would help us start the upward climb."

The senator sponsoring the bill said he's trying to get it through the legislature and on the governor's desk by next week. It's unknown if the governor will support it this time around.