Two of New Jersey’s biggest backers of gambling bills will leave the state Senate in 2017.
James Whelan, 68, a former Atlantic City mayor and a major sponsor of online gambling and sports betting bills in the chamber announced he will retire and not seek re-election this year.
Meanwhile, State Senator Raymond Lesniak—the principle force behind the state’s online gambling law and a major backer of the state’s sports betting battle—announced he will run for Governor in 2017 and will not seek re-election in the Senate.
Lesniak has been a major proponent of expanding gambling in the state, including the recent failed attempt to get state voters to approve new casino construction outside of Atlantic City. He also introduced the state’s current sports betting law. That law has been struck down by federal courts, but the state has appealed the rulings to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Should Lesniak win the governorship, the state would have a strong gambling proponent in office.
Whelan has also been an advocate of gambling, though as Atlantic City’s state Senator he opposed casino expansion. He however, was considered by many in the statehouse as an expert on gambling issues and also supported online gambling and sports betting.
