It has now been nearly 10 years since New Jersey approved internet gambling – and the way the law was written, the Legislature must renew it to keep it from disappearing less than a year from now.

There is no chance of that happening. Internet-based casino games and online sports wagering have combined to account for nearly 45% of gaming revenue so far this year in New Jersey – around $1.9 billion of the $4.3 billion in revenues reported through October.

Barbara DMarco, a lobbyist for Penn Gaming and Freehold Raceway who is also on the board of the Greater Atlantic City Chamber of Commerce, said online betting kept the casinos and racetracks afloat when the COVID pandemic struck. Read more from New Jersey 101.5.