The online gaming industry saw substantial gains in 2016 and by all indications; the trend appears primed to continue. This increase in popularity is partly due to a growth in the number of people who find online gaming appealing, but also heavily based in the structure that New Jersey established when developing the regulations for its online gaming industry.
The History of Online Gaming in New Jersey
Since going live on November 23, 2013, there have been changes in the New Jersey online gaming laws and regulations all designed to maintain the integrity of operations. While it took nearly three years to realize the official launch of online gaming sites, there has been steady growth, with 2016 showing the largest increase in revenues yet.
Through a lengthy process that started in January 2010, Raymond Lesniak introduced the first legislative bill, Senate No. 3167, on the floor of the New Jersey State Senate. After two and half years of debate and one gubernatorial veto, online casinos in New Jersey have flourished.
One of the primary reasons people attribute to the success of online gaming in New Jersey is the strict enforcement specifying that all online operations be based in New Jersey.
Working in cooperation with the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, legislators worked through their disagreements and in late February 2013 New Jersey became the third state to legalize online gambling. Many believe it was through this slow and methodical process of legalizing online gambling that New Jersey established a solid foundation almost guaranteeing success.
A Model of Consistency
Online poker sites make up a fair portion of the online gaming industry in New Jersey. 2016 statistical information and reviews did not necessarily show any extraordinary upswing, but a gradual increase in the number of players, profits and overall industry growth was consistent. Seems “steady as she goes” is the ideology of the New Jersey online poker industry, hoping to maintain consistency as opposed to enduring radically fluctuating peaks and valleys.
Mobile Play On the Rise
Part of the credit for the increase in popularity of online gaming across the country must be attributed to improved security. By showing a concern for the privacy of players, including a sense of trustworthiness with online financial transactions, the New Jersey online gaming industry has seen a steady increase in mobile applications.
Being able to game without being tied to a PC or laptop, has allowed online players to enjoy these opportunities in a variety of new situations. To enhance the appeal for players to feel comfortable using mobile devices to gamble online, New Jersey’s consistent adherence to player-friendly security safeguards proved priceless.
By instituting a solid legal foundation from the beginning, New Jersey established solid odds for success in the online gaming industry. Already a model example of live casinos, New Jersey saw online gaming as an excellent opportunity to expand. Statistics show that consistency and sincere concerns for security have manufactured steady growth. That growth seems primed to continue in 2017 and beyond.
