A new Bill that could create 35,000 tech jobs over 10 years is on Gov Chris Christie’s desk.
28th February (London) — New Jersey data centres and bandwidth providers could be about to hit the jackpot if a new Intra-State gaming Bill is signed into law this week. Experts estimate that Bill S490, which seeks to modernise and regulate internet gaming within the State of New Jersey, could create 35,000 jobs for the tech industry, as well as generating significant fiscal revenue that could help to close the State’s ailing budget deficit.
A recent poll conducted by iMEGA, the Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association, suggests that the Bill (S490) is largely supported by New Jersey residents; with eighty-five percent responding in favour of its passage. Thirty-two percent of these respondents are “gamers” and core supporters of online gaming, while fifty-two percent are “economic pragmatists”, who, while not actually participating in gambling themselves, said that they supported the rights of those who choose to do so, and welcomed the potential boom to the New Jersey economy.
Justin Bellinger, Business Development Director of Cable & Wireless, added, ‘The fast paced and extremely high-tech nature of the iGaming industry is boon to any economy. The complex technology required to support these operations requires an expansive and skilled workforce dedicated to supporting the operation 24/7. Specialist hosting facilities, information security skills and network operations centres overlay the underlying foundations of large, stable internet and power links.
There isn’t a more demanding proving ground for e-commerce activities than the gaming industry – in the jurisdictions that I have worked in this had led to many opportunities outside the gaming sector that simply were not available before the hosting, bandwidth and skills required to support the gaming industry were developed’
The legislation passed in the States Assembly and Senate on January 10th 2011 and is now waiting to be signed into law by Governor Chris Christie. The Governor has four options to execute the Bill before the March 3rd deadline: He could veto the Bill, he could opt for a conditional veto, which sends the Bill back to Assembly and Senate for changes; he could approve the Bill into law; or he could choose to do nothing, in which case the Bill would automatically become law on March 4th.
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For an exclusive Q&A with iMEGA Chairman and other media enquiries contact:
Lizzie Phillips, Lyceum Media
Office: +44 (0) 208 123 7184
Mobile: +44 (0) 7879 810 319