N.J. lawmakers set hearing on plan for online gaming

A New Jersey Senate committee has scheduled a hearing Tuesday on legislation that would allow online wagering on casino games in the Garden State.

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed a similar law that was approved in the last legislative session.

Sen. Ray Lesniak, D-Union, said he’s optimistic the outcome will be different this time.

“I believe that the governor has been satisfied that this legislation is constitutional and that we can get Internet gaming run by our casinos up and running as soon as possible, hopefully by September,” said Lesniak.

The executive director of the Institute of Gaming at Richard Stockton College says that could end up expanding the customer base at Atlantic City casinos.

“It allows people to access the fun that many people have when they play these games, and once they start at a game on the Internet, they may want to try to see what it’s like when it’s combined with a total experience,” Israel Posner said.

Lesniak wants the state to be a leader in online wagering that he believes would generate millions of dollars for New Jersey casinos as well as creating good-paying tech jobs.