Exclusive: Caesars will "be supportive" of Christie decision
Caesars' Interactive chief gives assurances ahead of New Jersey Governor's decision on egaming bill today.
The head of Caesars’ egaming division has said it will “be supportive” of New Jersey’s drive to license and regulate egaming should Governor Chris Christie sign the bill into law today.
Asked if Caesars would be looking at getting licensed and up and running via its four Atlantic City casinos should Christie sign or conditionally veto the bill Caesars Interactive chief executive Mitch Garber told eGaming Review: “Make no mistake, if the state of New Jersey continues its positive momentum towards legalisation, then we will be supportive.”
Garber’s comments follow a long-running war of words between Caesars and proponents of the bill, including sponsor Senator Raymond Lesniak, who has accused the US casino giant of lobbying against his sports betting and egaming initiatives in New Jersey.
Speaking to eGaming Review however, Garber denied the suggestion that Caesars would now be changing position on New Jersey given that a state-by-state solution to regulation now looked more likely, following the failure of the Caesars and AGA-backed poker-only Reid bill at federal level.
“I don’t think we are going to change positions. I think we have always been very flexible. We do have a preference. We think a federal regulatory framework is a better framework for everyone including the states, the players and the federal government”, said Garber.
“We think a national framework is easier to regulate, and easier to tax, but we have never been inflexible. If state-by-state is the way the United States need to legalise online poker and online gaming, then we will support it.”