In New Jersey, there are multiple operators that offer casino and/or online poker gaming. Such operators include 888, WSOP, the Borgata, Golden Nugget and more. Some of these operators also offer services in other areas of the world. Because of this, gaming regulators in the state are telling anyone who offers services in New Jersey to avoid doing business in Australia.
Australia recently changed their gaming laws, tightening restrictions regarding online gambling. Because of the legislation changes in the country, the New Jersey Department of Gaming Enforcement is declaring Australia a black market, based on information provided in a letter from late September.
In the past, the Division of Gaming Enforcement had published an advisory bulletin discussing the operation of gaming in grey markets and how it relates to companies being suitable for licensing in New Jersey. The goal was to show operators that they did not need to offer services in New Jersey as well as in markets were laws regarding gambling are considered ambiguous.
Now, Australian officials are working with gaming regulators in the state of New Jersey to ensure that operators are not active in both areas. Because of law changes in the country, several operators have already ceased services, including 888, 32Red and Vera&John.
Before the DGE sent out their letter, they had actually received contact from the Australian Communications and Media Authority. The new gambling law for online activity in Australia was brought to the attention of David Rebuck, the director of the DGE. The chairman of the Australian group, Richard Bean, asked the director to take action on the matter.
So now, operators are asked to not offer their services in Australia and New Jersey. One would expect that most will cease offering their services in Australia for fear of legal issues in the future.
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