NJ lawmakers give final OK to Internet betting
NJ lawmakers approve Internet gambling and send bill to Christie, who vetoed last year
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- New Jersey lawmakers have given final approval to a bill legalizing Internet gambling within the state's borders.
The bill now goes to Gov. Chris Christie. He vetoed a similar but not identical measure last year that would have made New Jersey the first state in the nation to legalize online betting.
Nevada and Delaware have since passed online gambling bills, but have not set a date to begin taking bets.
State Sen. Raymond Lesniak said Thursday he hopes New Jersey can beat other states to the punch and start taking bets by the end of April if Christie signs the measure quickly.
But there's no guarantee he'll do so. Christie voiced doubts over the constitutionality of last year's bill and the possibility of illegal betting parlors popping up.
