Skill-based gambling allowed in New Jersey

The state Division of Gaming Enforcement issued the regulations by which skill-based games will operate.

US.- New Jersey’s Division of Gaming Enforcement issued new regulations allowing operators to feature skill-based gambling devices in casinos. The ruling outlines the importance of notifying the players that the outcome of their bet can be influenced by their physical or mental skill and is not based on chance like traditional gambling machines.

The regulations require that the games pay out a certain percentage of bets collected, prohibit casinos from making the games harder or easier to win whilst a game is in progress, based on the perceived skill of the user and include monitoring programs to prevent collusion or money laundering in multi-player peer-to-peer games.

Skill-based slot machines were created as a way to lure in millennials who perceive traditional machines as old-fashioned. Real-money gambling versions of arcade games like pinball, and video game console products like “Guitar Hero,” ”Angry Birds” and “Words with Friends” are being developed by manufacturers.

“This is another important step towards implementing skill-based gaming in the Atlantic City gaming market,” said David Rebuck, Division Director. “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.”

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