As of yesterday, online gambling is legal in New Jersey, prompting pallid people hunched over computers to pause their fifteen Hold 'Em hands on Bodog and exclaim "Online gambling was illegal?"
The law, which governor Chris Christie signed only after the state legislature conceded to his revisions (a 15% tax on casinos and its expiration date after 10 years), allows existing casinos to operate online programs that allow bettors to win (or lose, probably lose) money, but also dole out perks ("comps," as your grandmother calls them when she takes the time to look up from the blackjack table) that could only be redeemed in Atlantic City.
“This is a historic moment for Atlantic City and for the state of New Jersey," the Star-Ledger quotes one of the bill's main sponsors, Senator Raymond Lesniak as saying. “Because of internet gaming, at least one and likely two casinos will not have to close.” Hmmm.
At press time, giant, gaudy neon signs were being hung up inside New Jersey's internet, and many screen names begun planning sad bachelor parties inside the computer network. While some already are saying that Nevada's internet is "nicer, cleaner, and more family-friendly," everyone agrees that it's better than Delaware's.
