Fewer New Jersey Citizens Use Unlicensed Gaming Sites

The New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and Attorney General have been working towards driving illegal online gaming providers out of the state. They believe discouraging consumers from using unlicensed gaming providers will stimulate legitimate nj gaming providers and boost revenues for Atlantic City's ailing casino industry. Recent data shows their efforts seem to be paying off.

A recent poll from Commercial Intelligence found 16% of consumers exclusively used unlicensed online gaming sites. A January poll found 24% of people used these sites. The DGE and state law enforcement officials are confident the number of citizens using illegal gaming sites will continue to decline.

The Attorney General and gaming regulator attribute the changes to several factors. The DGE started sending "cease and desist" letters to affiliates promoting both illegal and regulated gaming sites.

David Rebuck, the Director of the DGE, said that the letters were sent to New Jersey online gaming affiliates with links to Bovada Poker, Merge Gaming, Black Chip Poker and America's Cardroom. The DGE discussed the websites with regulators in Nevada and Delaware to make sure these networks weren't approved in those jurisdictions before sending the letters.

The Winning Poker Network, Equity Poker Network and Bovada abandoned the New Jersey market shortly after the letters were sent. The Merge Gaming Network left the market before the letters were issued.

The report shows that new players were more likely to turn to regulated gaming sites for protection. Over half of the players in New Jersey are using online gaming sites for the first time. Most of the citizens using unlicensed gaming sites are seasoned players. Authorities are trying to lure them away from black market sites to use regulated sites instead.

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