New Jersey passes skill-based gaming regulations

Atlantic City casinos could soon offer skill-based gaming through new regulations issued by New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement (NJDGE).

The rules for the devices include provision over the percentage of bets collected and prohibit casinos from making the games harder or easier to win while a game is in progress, based on the perceived skill of the player.

Monitoring programmes are to be introduced to guard against collusion or money laundering in multi-player peer-to-peer games.

The rules are similar to those put in place in Nevada last year, with New Jersey stating that any device approved there would be allowed in Atlantic City as well.

David Rebuck, NJDGE’s director, said: “This is another important step towards implementing skill-based gaming in the Atlantic City gaming market.

“Although the Division has had the authority to authorise these games for some time and announced in October 2014 an initiative for manufacturers to bring their skill-based games to New Jersey, the industry requested specific regulations to guide their efforts to create innovative skill-based products.”

Rebuck said that under a fast-track provision, manufacturers who bring their skill-based devices to New Jersey before any other jurisdiction can have them in operation on a casino floor within 14 days of approval.

While skill games have not been launched yet in Nevada, it is believed that gambling versions of popular titles such as ‘Guitar Hero’ and ‘Angry Birds’ are being developed.

Related article: GLI to accept submissions for skill-based games in Nevada