Handheld gaming devices arrive in Atlantic City
August 09, 2012|By Suzette Parmley, INQUIRER STAFF WRITER
Handheld gaming devices have been around Las Vegas gambling palaces since 2006, and now Atlantic City's dozen casinos will have them, too.
Gov. Christie signed legislation Wednesday clearing the way for patrons to play electronic versions of their favorite slot machines and table games on mobile, wireless devices while sitting poolside, relaxing in a lounge, waiting for a restaurant reservation, or roaming around a casino property in Atlantic City.
Those who sponsored the legislation say the addition of the devices - while not a game-changer for Atlantic City, which is enduring fierce internal and external gambling competition - nonetheless brings the resort into the 21st Century.
"We offer better scenery, better accommodations, better restaurants, and now, better gaming options, like hand held betting which will allow guests to take their games along with them," said Assemblyman John Amodeo (R., Atlantic). "This new law is another step towards setting Atlantic City apart from other destinations."
Amodeo, who sits on the Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee, added: "It's coming into the 21st Century. Our younger patrons in the casino hotels just don't want to be stuck on the gaming floor if it's sunny and 90-degrees out. They'd rather be outside and relaxing at the pool bar or in the lobby. It gives them that option."
The measure was approved by both houses of the Legislature in June.
The handheld devices can be used only within the casino property and adjoining hotel, as well as any outdoor swimming pool area, or outdoor recreational area. A patron must establish an account with the casino to use such a device. The device will be inoperable outside the casino or hotel facility.
Amodeo said preventing underage patrons from accessing the devices was a key concern during a hearing before his committee earlier this year.
New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck has said there are a number of safeguards that could be built into the devices to discourage that. Among them was requiring a PIN number to be entered every few minutes by the approved patron.
Sen. Jim Whelan (D., Atlantic), chairman of the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee, said Atlantic City's struggling gambling industry needed to stay as competitive as possible. Pennsylvania and other neighboring states have cut severely into the resort's casino revenues since 2007.
"New Jersey's casinos are the economic engine of South Jersey, and we need to give them the regulatory flexibility to adapt to new technologies and new practices within the larger nationwide industry," Whelan said. "By keeping pace with new technology and new advances in gaming, we can make sure that Atlantic City is on a level competitive field with our main competitor to the West."
Contact Suzette Parmley at 215-854-2594 or sparmley@phillynews.com.
Atlantic city is a very nice and full of entertaining place. One can easily find the cheap hotels in atlantic city for stay in best price. Thanks for this information.
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