Online casinos with interactive slot machines & table games will continue to entertain gaming enthusiasts for five more years, thanks to Governor Phil Murphy (D) who recently signed the statute for the same into law.

Originally in 2013, New Jersey lawmakers approved a bill to amend the state’s gaming act to authorize online casinos with interactive slot machines & table games for a period of 10 years. In February 2013, former Govenor Chris Christie (R) signed the statute into law and operations started on November 26, 2013.

The amendment in the Article 6C of the 1976 Casino Control Act made Atlantic City brick-&-mortar casinos to offer online gaming as well. The online gaming provision was for a period of only 10 years, which was set to expire later this year. Luckily, the state’s lawmakers passed a new measure called Assembly Bill 2190. In the State Assembly, lawmakers voted 76-2 to pass the AB 2190, and sent it to the Senate, where it was passed with a unanimous 37-0 vote, with three members of the Senate not participating in the voting.

On Friday evening, Governor Murphy (D) signed the statute into a new law to extend online gaming for five more years through November 2028.

Initially, the bill in question was introduced in the State Assembly with a proposal to extend online gaming for a period of 10 years, but it was revised and the period of slashed to merely two years. However, pressure from the gaming industry forced the lawmakers to find a middle ground at five years.

Mark Giannantonio, President of Resorts & the Casino Association of New Jersey, argued that extending iGaming for a period of 10 years would be in the best interests of the state’s gaming industry.

Speaking on the topic, Giannantonio said, “The reauthorization of the internet gaming bill for 10 years is vital to the continued success of the gaming industry in New Jersey and the programs that are supported by the taxes collected.”

Online casinos are playing a key role in the state’s economy. Since Nov. 2013, online casinos have won approx. $6.3 billion from players, though much of that amount has been generated only in recent years as younger players entered the market. The state is also reaping considerable economic benefit from iGaming as it gets 15% of the gaming revenue in the form of taxes.