Mon, 03/07/2011 – 20:51 – PokerPages Staff

Iowa is making moves to become the first state to legalize and regulate online poker after a measure was passed by the Government Committee last week.

The news comes in the wake of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie’s decision to veto an internet gambling bill on March 3.

The Iowa State Committee approved the measure by a 9-6 vote and it will now seek the approval of the Iowa Senate and Iowa House before potentially being signed into law by the Governor.

Online poker is highly popular in the state with around 150,000 players currently competing on sites such as PokerStars.

Senator Rick Bertrand believes it is time to set up a fully regulated intrastate gambling market.

“If we do not make a move now, the Federal Government is going to make a move in the next few years and we will lose the revenue. I think it is forward thinking.”

However, Senator Jerry Behn opposes any changes and stated that voters should be given the chance to decide on the issue of regulated online gambling.

“This limits the voter. I think this is really changing the rules in the middle of the game.”

The bill would generate up to $40 million in revenue on an annual basis, providing a timely boost to the local economy.

Tue, 03/01/2011 – 00:39 – PokerPages Staff

New Jersey Governor Chris Christie may not make a decision on the bill which could legalize online poker in the state until March 3.

It was previously thought that Christie would decide on the outcome of the legislation by February 24 as that would mark 45 days since the legislation passed the State Assembly.

Christie has four options available to him regarding the bill. He can veto it, sign it, veto it conditionally or let the time elapse which would result in legislation becoming law on March 4.

Interactive Media Entertainment and Gaming Association Chairman, Joe Brennan Jr, provided an update on the situation late last week.

“I have heard people say they heard the governor is going to veto the bill. Our people are as close to the governor as anybody and they don’t know what he’s going to do because the governor hasn’t indicated to any party of this what he’s going to do.”

Brennan dismissed a report in the New York Post which suggested Christie would not sign the bill due to intense lobbying from the opposition to the measure.

He also confirmed that the bill could generate up to $7 billion in revenue on an annual basis and 57,000 jobs. Those figures would provide a timely boost to the Atlantic City economy.