While many US states are still debating about how and when they’ll enter online gaming, New Jersey’s vision is clear: to become a market leader. And for the Garden State, their definition of market goes beyond just interstate pacts because they also want to share player liquidity with other countries too.
The first step to making this vision a reality involves getting PokerStars into the state. New Jersey State Senator Ray Lesniak stressed this point with the following tweet:
PokerStars launch will spark an AC revival. Stay tuned for a major announcement. With @PokerStars in NJ we’re on our way to being the Silicon Valley of Internet gaming.
Aside from boasting of New Jersey’s potential with PokerStars on board, Lesniak also discussed the positive implications for an ailing Atlantic City. “It’s going to be soon and it’s going to be huge,” he told Poker News in a recent interview. “PokerStars is going to make a huge investment in Atlantic City, not just in Internet gaming but in their brand and in bringing attractions to Atlantic City.”
Lesniak also said that he sees Stars entering New Jersey within weeks, rather than months. And when this happens, it could definitely lift the state’s sagging online gaming revenue, which has been a disappointing $83.5 million through August.
The move to the international market
When US states first began seriously considering regulated iGaming, a lot of talk centered on interstate compacts. Interestingly enough, though, an expansion to international markets was largely ignored. But that definitely looks to change with the state’s government fully committed to expanding their market. “The next step is to go international with Internet gaming,” Governor Chris Christie said.
Once PokerStars begins operating in New Jersey, this transition will be more seamless thanks to the poker site’s presence in other countries. Stars operates in some of the biggest European countries like France, Italy and Spain. So these could all be possible international partners for New Jersey if they share player liquidity.
There are still interstate pacts to consider
New Jersey was noticeably absent when Delaware and Nevada signed an interstate pact for online gaming. However, Gov. Christie recently caused a stir when he said that he’d discussed the matter with Nevada Gov. Brian Sandoval.
Of course, nothing’s happened on this front yet so it’s hard to gauge just how interested New Jersey is in sharing payer liquidity with smaller states. Instead, their main focus at the time seems to be getting PokerStars settled in and seeking international partners.