To improve accountability and transparency in the state’s gambling sector, the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement (DGE) is debating new regulations. Under the proposed amendments, gaming operators would have to report any subpoenas they receive from other jurisdictions as well as any activity they engage in outside of New Jersey. The goal of these changes is to increase the DGE’s supervision and enhance its oversight of licensed businesses.
Enhanced Transparency for Operators
Under the new rules, gaming operators will need to notify the DGE within seven days if they begin or cease operations in other states or countries. This requirement would also extend to operators who receive subpoenas from authorities outside New Jersey, further ensuring that the DGE stays informed about legal and regulatory matters affecting its licensees. The proposed changes introduce the concept of “foreign gaming,” which encompasses gaming activities conducted in other U.S. states, tribal jurisdictions, or internationally.
“The rulemaking also clarifies that certain matters of note, such as the receipt of a criminal grand jury subpoena by a casino or racetrack sports wagering licensee, must be reported within a set time to DGE,” according to a statement from New Jersey’s Law and Public Safety department. These proposed rules aim to enhance accountability by tracking operators’ activities across multiple jurisdictions, both regulated and unregulated.
While the primary focus of the proposed rule changes is to improve reporting and compliance, the public comment period revealed calls for broader changes, including smoke-free policies for Atlantic City casinos. Advocacy groups like Casino Employees Against Smoking Effects (CEASE) and Americans for Non-Smokers’ Rights (ANR) urged the DGE to require casinos to go smoke-free to protect workers and patrons.
“Ensuring that all casinos are smoke-free would ensure workers aren’t forced to choose between their livelihood and their health, and it would give patrons a chance to enjoy the Atlantic City experience without inhaling harmful toxins,” said Cynthia Hallett, President and CEO of ANR. However, the DGE has not yet indicated whether it will consider these concerns in the current rulemaking.
In addition to the reporting requirements, the proposed changes also include technical revisions to account for the expansion of gaming in New Jersey, such as the introduction of sports betting at racetracks. While the DGE’s immediate priority is to enhance oversight, workplace safety issues raised during the public comment period could influence future policy discussions.
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