Press of Atlantic City – As New Jersey launches its first Internet gambling trials today, regulators are acknowledging there will be banks and credit card companies refusing to permit the transactions – at least for now.
“Clearly, we’re going to have struggles for some folks who are going to not be able to have their accounts funded through traditional means with their own bank,” New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement Director David Rebuck said. “They’ll do it through alternate means, or they’ll find other banking institutions that will allow them to. It’s going to be a growing process.”
A five-day trial period during which companies have solicited players to test the systems begins today. Internet gambling is expected to be opened up to the entire state Nov. 26, provided that the Division of Gaming Enforcement gives its blessing.
Rebuck’s comments Tuesday followed Bloomberg reports that Bank of America Corp., Wells Fargo & Co., American Express Co. and PayPal will not process Internet gambling transactions, despite New Jersey legislation that makes online wagering legal in the state. Visa Inc. and MasterCard Inc. told Bloomberg they will allow the transactions on their cards in states where online gambling is legal, but the banks issuing the cards may not.
That does not mean that residents who run into problems with their banks can’t engage in play. Other means of payment processing are available. However, it does mean that those who run into difficulties will have to be diligent enough to pursue other credit cards or other means of payment to access online gambling.
