If you are familiar with the online gambling market in the United States at all, then you know that New Jersey is a top performer. The state is known for offering quality gaming in the casino and poker sector. Since 2013, the state has offered both online gaming options and continues to set record after record for revenues earned. During a recent ICE North America Digital conference, NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck took time to discuss best practices that other states could use to be just as successful.
High Points
According to Rebuck, the seven years of experience held by New Jersey’s online gambling industry is due to robust regulations. The state has not sat back and waited for adjustments to be made by challengers. The state has controls and protections in place that are superior to what is offered via brick and mortar casinos.
Rebuck used his time during the online conference to point out that those who still think that online signup for gambling is a shaky idea, it is important to consider the process. Requirements are set for age, address and social security numbers, with the process more rigorous than that used by credit card companies during the application process.
The director went on to state the naysayers have tried to say that the regulations of the iGaming industry are weak, but they are not and they are actually stronger than that of retail-only providers.
Taking on the Doubters
Rebuck wasted no time during his speech to talk about doubters of the iGaming industry. He challenged anyone to look at the system of New Jersey and tell him how the verification system is not more powerful than what is used during an in-person registration at a casino.
The director pointed out that he has been in other jurisdictions and seen how registration takes place. The facility takes a driver’s license and verifies it, then hands it back to the player. The license is accepted by a human, but it could be imperfect. Such errors are not taking place online. If players do not meet the verification standards, then they are not allowed access, simple as that, according to the DGE official.
No Effect on Land-Based Casinos
During the conference, Rebuck also discussed cannibalization and how online casinos do not affect brick and mortar operators. This is a point of contention that has stopped several states from offering services. According to Rebuck, the result is actually the opposite. New clients are coming in and the casinos are able to diversify their product offerings.
If states that have considered online gambling can look past this belief, then they could get started and be just as successful as New Jersey has been.
It was quite interesting to see Rebuck’s comments during the recent online conference. New Jersey is clearly successful and has seen an uptick in online poker and casino gaming over the past few months. The state continues to show just how iGaming can be successful in the US when regulated and operated efficiently.