The DGE in New Jersey is a law enforcement agency that investigates and enforces the Casino Control Act. This involves duties such as investigating license applicants, enforcing regulations, and monitoring the daily activities at casinos. Another duty is the testing of casino equipment and verifying its operational integrity. The workforce consists of accountants, attorneys, and investigators.
History of the DGE
The DGE was established in 1977 to ensure the integrity of gambling in New Jersey. Its mission is to protect the public interest and make sure casinos are legitimate and free from the influences of organized crime.
The DGE is supervised by a director appointed by the governor. In April 2011, Governor Chris Christie appointed David Rebuck as Director of the DGE. This led to the examination of all casino regulations to verify they were consistent and to eliminate any redundancy. The task was the result of Gov. Christie signing into law Senate Bills that altered the landscape of gambling and made the Division the main gaming regulatory agency in New Jersey.
In February 2013, the New Jersey legislature passed a bill that amended the New Jersey Casino Control Act to allow Internet gambling in the state. As of December 2013, the DGE had issued seven internet gaming permits to Atlantic City casinos.
License applicant investigations
One of the duties of the DGE is to conduct investigations of license applicants. It reports to the Casino Control Commission (CCC) on its findings. It conducts a public hearing to deny or grant a license. Individuals and entities seeking licenses have to meet certain criteria regarding integrity and honesty.
Regulatory enforcement
Enforcing the rules of the Casino Control Act includes investigating many activities related to the day-to-day running of casinos. These include checking for underage drinking and gambling and violations of the exclusions list. According to the Casino Control Act, licensed casinos in New Jersey can establish a list of persons who can be excluded or ejected. This can help to prevent compulsive gamblers from falling into debt.
Enforcing the rules also includes checking for:
- Non-compliance of employees
- Complaints from patrons
- Integrity of information systems
- Security and CCTV surveillance
- Accounting and internal controls
- Fairness of game rules
- Gaming equipment integrity
DGE state investigators monitor casino operations around the clock. They will address any regulatory concerns or violations to ensure regulatory compliance. The New Jersey State Police handle any criminal law enforcement concerns.
Technical Services Bureau (TSB)
According to the official website, the TSB tests and evaluates all electronic gambling equipment, including slot machines. It will also analyze and verify slot machine jackpot payouts. Inspecting casinos includes the security and property accounting of slot machines. Engineers test and approve all games before casinos can use them. Statisticians evaluate the odds and payouts of games to check if they are fair. This means players at licensed casinos in New Jersey know they can play games without worrying they are unfair.
