Ralph Caputo – the State Assemblyman of New Jersey, has introduced a bill that intends to put some restrictions on state’s online gambling affairs. The top priority of Caputo’s draft is to restrict and monitor the procedure via which gaming operators that would like to be available on New Jersey’s gambling market, acquire a license.
In case the proposal suggested by Caputo passes, one of the most popular poker platforms worldwide – PokerStars – might not be able to provide its products and services on the territory of the Garden State.
It is a well known fact that Caputo is not among the diehard fans of online gambling activities and PokerStars in particular. That is why the Assemblyman supports the tight measures for obtaining a license for online gambling operators. What is more, he considers that they should be as carefully monitored as the traditional casino venues when it comes to issuing a license.
According to the bill, proposed by Caputo, each provider of online gambling services should be obliged to obtain a full casino license. In other words, Caputo’s idea is to make the licensing and the regulatory process itself more thorough.
New Jersey Casino Control Commission and the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement were proposed as the two institutions that should be in charge of overseeing every step the online gambling regulators take but the first organization will have a greater impact on making final decisions.
Another idea of Caputo is making the process absolutely transparent. It is supposed to include testimony and public hearing.
For the time being, online gambling providers can operate on the regulated New Jersey’s gambling market after obtaining a license from New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement. Once they get a license, they are even allowed to work in collaboration with brick and mortar casinos.
If the bill is accepted, it will be impossible for New Jersey gambling regulators to neglect the requirements every gambling provider should meet in order to be awarded a license. Strictly speaking, it will be unavoidable for PokerStars to get rid of its reputation as a “bad actor” and be awarded a license.
Caputo has severely criticized PokerStars in the media. Apparently, he does not think that the buyout Amaya Gaming made removes their guilt for continuing to provide their products and services to American players even when the Unlawful Internet Gambling Act restricts them from doing so.
Last week, Caputo’s bill got the approval of the committee but in order to become a law, it needs to be approved by the full Assembly as well. In conclusion, Caputo said that he has never been keen on online gaming but if the state of New Jersey was about to take part in this kind of activities, authorities should make sure that everything is going into the right direction.
