Pala (CTBA) Chairman Reacts to New Jersey Becoming Third State to Legalize Online Gaming


Pala (CTBA) Chairman Reacts to New Jersey Becoming Third State to Legalize Online Gaming

On February 26, Gov. Chris Christie signed a bill legalizing Internet gambling, making New Jersey the third state in the nation, after Delaware and Nevada, to offer online betting for real money.

 

In response, the Honorable Robert Smith, chair of the California Tribal Business Alliance and chairman of the Pala Band of Mission Indians, expressed disappointment. “With the approval of the New Jersey online gaming law, the state, which has typically held to the gold standard of gaming regulations, now unfortunately appears to be weakening the eligibility requirements needed to obtain a gaming license,” Smith said in a statement.
“While the local market in New Jersey may be driving these sorts of decisions, in California we cannot allow for reciprocity with states that have lower standards and softer controls opening the doors to questionable corporations, which now appears to be the case in New Jersey,” Smith added. “Gaming at all levels should be held to the same, very high standards set for tribal gaming agencies in California. It is in these regulations that are in place to address the nature and the business of the gaming industry, that we maintain the trust in the game and the confidence of consumers and regional governments to promote a safe, fair and mutually beneficial gaming industry.”

 

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