Gov. Signs Gaming Legislation

Last Wednesday, Governor James E. McGreevey signed a law streamlining casino regulations. The new law gives casinos five more years to make mandatory contributions to a fund for projects both in Atlantic City and statewide. It also loosens or eliminates many regulations the industry found cumbersome.

In addition, it makes the following changes to existing regulations:
* Anyone younger than 21 caught gambling or drinking faces a fine of $500 to $1,000 and a six-month driver's license suspension.
* Gamblers are able to cash personal checks for as much as $5,000, up from a previous limit of $200.
* Casino servers can specifically ask gamblers if they would like a cocktail.
* Penalties for writing bad checks are clarified.
* The ability to regulate the amount of complimentary items that casinos give to patrons is removed.
* Casinos can serve drinks in bottled containers.

The new law, sponsored by state Sen. William Gormley, R-Atlantic, and Democratic Senate President Richard Codey, D-Essex, removes a portion of the bill that would have allowed casinos to set new rules for money handling, accounting, and gaming security before a review by the Casino Control Commission.

"This legislation ensures the competitiveness of Atlantic City and the New Jersey gaming industry," McGreevey said at the bill-signing ceremony. "More importantly, the law streamlines the casino industry regulations to ensure accountability while lessening cumbersome bureaucratic red tape."

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Author: NJBiz