'Yes' to Internet Gambling in New Jersey; Florida says 'Not Interested'

New Jersey legislators gave the final thumbs-up Tuesday to a bill legalizing gambling over the Internet. They already sent the bill to Gov. Chris Christie.

Christie, all for the bill, has vowed to sign it quickly.

The state Assembly and Senate passed an updated version that Christie vetoed on Feb. 7, making the changes he asked for. It includes setting a 10-year trial period for online betting, and raising the taxes on the Atlantic City casinos' online winnings.

Meanwhile, Rep. Joe Gibbons, D-Pembroke Pines, speaking at the Florida Gaming Congress, said the Legislature will not take up Internet gambling either in its study of the gaming industry or in the Legislature when the subject is fair game again. "We've got enough to focus on," Gibbons said.

When Christie signs, it will make New Jersey the third state in the nation to legalize gambling over the Internet and will represent the largest expansion of legalized gambling in the Garden State since the first casino began operating in Atlantic City in 1978.

For a while it was a race to see who could be first. Nevada and Delaware edged New Jersey out. All three states have passed laws legalizing Internet betting. All the while the practice goes on offshore, untaxed and unregulated.