Christie signs NJ Internet gambling bill into law

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) — New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie has signed a bill legalizing Internet gambling, making his state the third in the nation to offer online betting.

Christie acted Tuesday just hours after the state legislature passed a bill with the changes he wanted when he vetoed a similar bill earlier this month.

It marks the biggest expansion of legalized gambling in New Jersey since the first casino opened here in 1978.

The bill allows the playing online, for money, of any game currently offered by Atlantic City’s 12 casinos; online poker is expected to be a particularly popular option.

Bets can’t be placed until the state Division of Gaming Enforcement sets a start date; casinos say it could take six to 12 months to get ready.