Whither regulation? The New Jersey Assembly Commerce, Tourism, Gaming and Military and Veterans Affairs Committee learned the ins and outs of Internet gaming during a public meeting May 31. At the time, committee chairman Joe Azzolina noted in his opening remarks that this "public hearing
in the assembly is a first step only. It should not be interpreted as an absolute green light for Internet gambling in New Jersey. I have promised from the outset a fair and in-depth hearing. Whether our findings lead to introduced legislation remains to be seen. But, in order for us to set policy and open dialogue with the executive branch regulators, the private sector and others, we surely need education of this issue."
The day-long event included presentations from both sides of the Internet gambling prohibition fence: Tony Cabot of Lionel Sawyer Collins and Nick Cassiello of Sterns Weinroth; Mark Falcone of research company Bear Stearns; Canadian Internet gaming software developer, Fernando DiCarlo; Sue Schneider of The River City Group and Chairman of the Interactive Gaming Council; Ed Looney of the New Jersey Council on Compulsive Gambling; J.P. Suarez of the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and Chairman Jim Hurley of the New Jersey Casino Control Commission.
As Azzolina indicated, the public hearing was only the first step on New Jersey's investigation of whether to regulate or prohibit Internet gambling. Since the public hearing took place, a Computer Crime report, jointly issued by the New Jersey State Commission of Investigation and the Office of the Attorney General, recommended prohibiting e-gambling in New Jersey.
The report's release received little fanfare in New Jersey, however, so it's too soon to tell what effect the report will have on New Jersey legislators' views on Internet gambling regulation. (See related story, "One Step Forward, Two Steps Back in NJ?")
Click here to view a transcript of the May 31 public hearing and the presentations.