newjerseynewsroom.com

Gaming Enforcement responds to Christie, Legislature

BY TOM HESTER SR.

NEWJERSEYNEWSROOM.COM

As part of the effort to revive casino gambling in Atlantic City, the state Division of Gaming Enforcement Monday proposed sweeping new rules designed to meet Gov. Chris Christie's regulatory reform plan for the 11 casinos.

The regulations would replace the so-called "emergency" rules that had been in place since the governor signed the casino reform bill into law in February.

The proposals would make it cheaper and easier for the casinos to conduct their business. The new rules are similar to those used to regulate gambling in Las Vegas.

“Today marks a significant step in the re-regulation process for Atlantic City and the State of New Jersey,” Acting Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck said. “We are satisfying a commitment to Governor Christie and to the citizens of New Jersey by undertaking a thorough and detailed review of all casino regulations.”

Christie and the Legislature overhauled gaming regulations in an effort to bolster the casino industry that has been financially hard-hit by the poor economy and competition from casinos in neighboring states.

Rebuck said the proposals are the result of what he described as a comprehensive review of hundreds of pages of regulations. In order to address the regulatory reforms called for by the governor and Legislature, the division reviewed all of the regulations.

“I am proud of all those at the division who have dedicated themselves to reviewing and rewriting the regulations to make them as encompassing and solid as the first regulations,” Rebuck said. “Our focus is on streamlining regulation while maintaining public confidence and trust in the integrity of the regulatory process and casino operations.”

Among other things, the proposals call for a movement to registration, as opposed to licensure, for certain casino-related employees and the removal of certain periodic license renewal requirements. Rebuck said a new call-forward procedure for vendors that would enable the division to perform a more thorough licensure examination of any vendor if integrity concerns warrant that action.

Also, the new casino employee registration would cost a one-time fee of $95. This would represent a savings over the $350 initial fee and $250 renewal fee every five years which was previously required for the casino employee license.

New processes for hearings, junket operators, casino hotel alcoholic beverage licenses, simulcast rules and financial stability analyses are also included in the proposals.