TRENTON — The state Senate today gave final legislative approval to a bill that would allow gamblers to bet on casino games in Atlantic City over the Internet.



"By allowing casinos to tap into the burgeoning trend of Internet wagering, we can put New Jersey at the forefront of this lucrative gaming market and give our casinos the competitive edge they need in the current economic climate," a sponsor of the bill, Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union), said in a statement.



Under the bill, licensed casino operators or their Internet gambling affiliates would be able to set up and operate Internet wagering, allowing state residents to place bets on casino games without being on the casino floor. The servers would be located in Atlantic City and the casino would have to verify players are physically present in the state to comply with federal law.



The bill would allow Internet gambling on the same kind of games already available on gaming floors. An identical bill passed the Assembly on Monday.



The bill (S1565), which passed 33-3, now goes to Gov. Chris Christie.

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