On-premises remote gambling for New Jersey?

The publication New Jersey.com reports that state politicians keen to boost the waning fortunes of Atlantic City land casinos are to discuss following the example of Nevada by permitting remote ‘on-premises’ gambling using mobile handheld devices.

State Senator Jim Whelan, who also chairs the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee, will be heading the discussion, which is aimed at attracting the interest of a younger generation of gamblers familiar and comfortable with computer and tablet technology.

“They play computer games, and so on, and they text and they Facebook on their iPads and their smartphones, and so forth, and so I think it makes sense to recognize what was not even thought of 30 years ago and is now a reality,” the Senator told reporters Monday.

Assuring that on-premises mobile gambling could be controlled, Whelan noted: “You step off the premises and this thing goes kaput.”

It seems that Whelan has the approval of the trade association for AC casinos – The Casino Association of New Jersey. The president of the Association, Bob Griffin, said this week:

“This innovation would provide an additional amenity to help Atlantic City further distinguish itself as the East Coast’s premier gaming destination.”