By BONNIE PFISTER
Associated Press Writer
TRENTON, N.J. -- Casino patrons in New Jersey would be able to play the slots while sitting by Atlantic City casinos' pools or bellying up to their buffets under a plan considered by a state Senate committee Thursday.
The concept, pushed by some lawmakers and casino officials, would allow handheld gambling devices _ similar to Blackberries _ to be used in the public spaces of Atlantic City's casinos.
Such a measure is already underway in Nevada, where the state's gaming commission is expected to adopt rules for the devices later this month. While actual availability is likely to take several more months, Nevada is expected to allow them in casino-hotel restaurants and at poolside. The instruments would be password-protected and inoperable in hotel rooms, parking lots or garages to guard against use by minors or other unauthorized people.
Sen. Barbara Buono, chairwoman of the New Jersey Senate's Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee, said the state needs to stay at the forefront of public policy trends, particularly in light of new gaming destinations in neighboring states.
"Technology is evolving. Public policy must evolve to reflect that," said Buono, D-Middlesex. Speaking after the meeting, Buono said she expects legislation on the matter to be introduced sometime this year.
Michael Pollock, managing director of Spectrum Gaming Group, a casino consultant, said such a policy change could be difficult, but vital in competing with Nevada, which has slot machines in its airports and convenience stores.
"Gaming ... is evolving into entertainment, and casino operators with long track records have earned the right to participate in technologies that offer the promise of increasing their returns without compromising integrity," Pollock said.
Not everyone is convinced it's a good idea, though. Committee member Nicholas Asselta, a Republican senator from Cumberland County, questioned regulators on whether such measures would open the door to Internet gambling.
While Buono and the regulators said that was a separate issue, Asselta said later he sees them as linked and possibly threatening to casino employees.
"Technology is good and it's bad. Sometimes it means (fewer) jobs opportunities," Asselta said. "We don't want to see people losing jobs at the expense of new technology that allows people to game and gamble outside of Atlantic City."
Technology has already taken the place of some would-be jobs in Atlantic City. David Farlin, head of information technology at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, told the committee that 80 percent of Borgata's ticket redemptions are done by automated machines, not people.
But the success of the sophisticated casino, which has drawn younger, wealthier patrons to the resort city, has prompted further development that has fueled jobs, Farlin said. Borgata last month announced an 800-room expansion that will create 1,500 new jobs, a 25 percent expansion on its current work force.
___P>
On the Net:
NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement: http://www.njdge.gov
NJ Casino Control Commission: http://www.state.nj.us/casinos
Associated Press Writer
TRENTON, N.J. -- Casino patrons in New Jersey would be able to play the slots while sitting by Atlantic City casinos' pools or bellying up to their buffets under a plan considered by a state Senate committee Thursday.
The concept, pushed by some lawmakers and casino officials, would allow handheld gambling devices _ similar to Blackberries _ to be used in the public spaces of Atlantic City's casinos.
Such a measure is already underway in Nevada, where the state's gaming commission is expected to adopt rules for the devices later this month. While actual availability is likely to take several more months, Nevada is expected to allow them in casino-hotel restaurants and at poolside. The instruments would be password-protected and inoperable in hotel rooms, parking lots or garages to guard against use by minors or other unauthorized people.
Sen. Barbara Buono, chairwoman of the New Jersey Senate's Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee, said the state needs to stay at the forefront of public policy trends, particularly in light of new gaming destinations in neighboring states.
"Technology is evolving. Public policy must evolve to reflect that," said Buono, D-Middlesex. Speaking after the meeting, Buono said she expects legislation on the matter to be introduced sometime this year.
Michael Pollock, managing director of Spectrum Gaming Group, a casino consultant, said such a policy change could be difficult, but vital in competing with Nevada, which has slot machines in its airports and convenience stores.
"Gaming ... is evolving into entertainment, and casino operators with long track records have earned the right to participate in technologies that offer the promise of increasing their returns without compromising integrity," Pollock said.
Not everyone is convinced it's a good idea, though. Committee member Nicholas Asselta, a Republican senator from Cumberland County, questioned regulators on whether such measures would open the door to Internet gambling.
While Buono and the regulators said that was a separate issue, Asselta said later he sees them as linked and possibly threatening to casino employees.
"Technology is good and it's bad. Sometimes it means (fewer) jobs opportunities," Asselta said. "We don't want to see people losing jobs at the expense of new technology that allows people to game and gamble outside of Atlantic City."
Technology has already taken the place of some would-be jobs in Atlantic City. David Farlin, head of information technology at the Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa, told the committee that 80 percent of Borgata's ticket redemptions are done by automated machines, not people.
But the success of the sophisticated casino, which has drawn younger, wealthier patrons to the resort city, has prompted further development that has fueled jobs, Farlin said. Borgata last month announced an 800-room expansion that will create 1,500 new jobs, a 25 percent expansion on its current work force.
___P>
On the Net:
NJ Division of Gaming Enforcement: http://www.njdge.gov
NJ Casino Control Commission: http://www.state.nj.us/casinos