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N.J. gives online gambling go-ahead for 12:01 a.m. Tuesday

Online gambling will be available to the public in New Jersey just after midnight, earlier than the anticipated state time of 9 a.m. Tuesday, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement director David Rebuck said Monday.

Joseph Brennen tests Harrah's online casino from a rest area in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., last week. The state's Internet gambling system officially launches Tuesday, after a five-day test period. (AP Photo)
Joseph Brennen tests Harrah's online casino from a rest area in Egg Harbor Township, N.J., last week. The state's Internet gambling system officially launches Tuesday, after a five-day test period. (AP Photo)Read more

Online gambling will be available to the public in New Jersey just after midnight, earlier than the anticipated state time of 9 a.m. Tuesday, New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement director David Rebuck said Monday.

The gaming regulator issued orders allowing six of Atlantic City's casinos with Internet gaming permits to start marketing their gambling websites, lifting the limit of 500 players at a time that has been in effect since Thursday.

"We found no significant widespread regulatory problems or any technical barriers to going live," Rebuck said on a conference call with reporters.

Rebuck created some ambiguity when he said their would be not stoppages in the operations of the websites, as was originally planned.

If a member of the public succeeded logging on to the Borgata's website and succeeded before 12:01 a.m., "I'm not going to fine Borgata," Rebuck said.

Trying to clarify himself, Rebuck said: "They are authorized to begin 24-7 Internet wagering at 12:01 a.m."

One casino, Golden Nugget, will remain in restricted-play testing for about a week to continue testing its websites.

"We determined that it was important to improve the customer experience," Thomas Winter, Golden Nugget's vice president of Internet gaming operations, said.

Rebuck said the number of people who registered for the soft-play period - more than 10,000 in the first three days - was greater than he expected.

"I'm pleased with that," he said.

hbrubaker@phillynews.com

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@InqBrubaker