New Jersey Senator in Support of Online Gambling

Senator Ray Lesniak says that the 13 crime family members arrested for running an illegal sportsbook earlier in the week are an example of what is wrong with the legal status quo of gambling in the New Jersey. “Under the current laws, organized crime has a virtual monopoly on sports book, and they're using offshore internet operators to bring their business into the 21st century,” said Lesniak. “This case represents everything that's wrong about our current policy regarding internet wagering and sports wagering. The Governor should support legislation to legitimize internet gaming, and support the legal challenge to the federal ban on sports betting, in order to give our casinos access to new revenue streams and drag currently illegal gaming practices into the light of government regulation.” The senator is in support of the governor's initiatives generate gambling revenue in New Jersey rather than from illegal offshore outfits. “We should not be forfeiting these funds to organized crime and offshore betting operations,” said Lesniak. “By providing a legal avenue for New Jersey residents to engage in sports wagering or Internet gaming, we would be able to take a funding source away from organized crime and channel it to economic output for our ailing gaming industry and funding for programs for seniors and people living with disabilities. “I hope the Governor recognizes [this] bust as a wake up call, and joins in our efforts to diversify gaming and take some of the power out of mafia-operated illegal gaming rings in the Garden State.”