Atlantic City Issues Mobile Gambling Regs
10/10/2012 : REGULATIONS FOR MOBILE GAMBLING ISSUED BY ATLANTIC CITY REGULATOR
New Jersey moves another step closer to mobile ‘on premises' gambling
New Jersey moved a step closer to permitting ‘on premises' mobile gambling at Atlantic City casinos Monday with the implementation of temporary regulations based on a law passed earlier this year.
The New Jersey Gaming Enforcement Division issued the regulations, which clear the way for casino patrons to gamble on their iPads, smartphones and other mobile devices once the casinos have set up the technology.
That may take a while, as the casinos appear to be adopting a ‘wait and see' position on US online and mobile gambling, citing legal uncertainty as the politicians wrangle with federal and state legalization.
"These regulations are another example of the cooperation of all our partners and use of our own imaginations to move past the prescribed technology," David Rebuck, the division's director, told the Associated Press news agency.
"Most importantly in this process was the development of regulations that provided safeguards to prevent underage gambling, and to continually ensure the integrity and security of mobile gaming in New Jersey."
Lisa Spengler, a spokeswoman for the division, said no casino has yet applied to begin using such devices.
One casino operator, Tony Rodio of the Tropicana Casino and Resort who is also chief of the Casino Association of New Jersey, explained operators’ cautious approach to AP:
"Think of putting a bubble over each casino: this would be Internet gambling under that bubble," he said. "It costs money to build that bubble. If Internet gambling happens, that bursts the bubble I just spent all that money to build."
New Jersey has been moving to adopt an in-state Internet gambling law, but Gov. Chris Christie has expressed concerns about its constitutionality. He vetoed a first attempt at Internet gambling in 2011
Under the new regulations, the punters' mobile devices would have to be used on casino property. The law permits the use of iPads, smartphones and other wireless devices, as well as hand-held devices issued by the casinos.
Casinos can offer electronic versions of games of chance to be played on mobile devices within the casino and adjoining hotel, as well as any outdoor swimming pool area or outdoor recreational area. Usually in such ‘on premises' facilities, the player has to first establish an account with the casino, and the bet must be placed, and any winnings paid out, within the casino.
The rules require companies that provide software that will be used for mobile gambling to obtain a casino service industry license. The devices must have the capability to screen out players who are under the age of 21, who are banned from casinos by the state or by having placed themselves on a self-exclusion list, and it can establish daily limits on a customer's portable gambling.
Wireless communications between the device and the computer server must be encrypted using technology approved by the state.
Casinos would have to appoint a mobile gambling manager responsible for overseeing the operation and integrity of the system, and tasked with reporting any suspicious behavior to authorities.
Winnings from the mobile games could be used to pay for additional play, can be cashed out at a casino cage, or wired to a pre-approved bank account.
