Zona de Azar USA – Retiring New Jersey Gambling Regulator, a National Integrity Advisor

USA.- March 4, 2024 www.zonadeazar.com David Rebuck, the influential figure who spearheaded New Jersey’s ascent in internet gambling and sports betting and provided counsel to over two dozen states in establishing and regulating their own gambling ventures, retired on Friday, concluding 13 years as one of the most impactful gambling regulators in the United States.

At the age of 71, Rebuck stepped down as the Director of the state Division of Gaming Enforcement after guiding New Jersey through a tumultuous period marked by the closure of some Atlantic City casinos and the state’s emergence as a leader in evolving forms of gambling, including sports betting, following a successful U.S. Supreme Court case that allowed it.

Reflecting on his tenure, Rebuck remarked, “This industry is never dull. There are always going to be challenges and opportunities. We wanted to be the pinnacle of regulating the industry so that the casinos would have a better chance of success while protecting customers.”

Initially appointed by former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie in 2011 during a challenging time for Atlantic City’s casinos facing economic pressures from neighboring states, Rebuck’s mission was clear: implement the recently passed law. The regulatory landscape was streamlined to alleviate some of the casinos’ overhead expenses, yet it couldn’t prevent five out of the 12 casinos from closing within two years. Despite the setbacks, Rebuck stated, “You thought you were doing everything you could do to help them survive in this market, and it didn’t work. It was a tough time.”

In 2013, Rebuck achieved a significant milestone as he presided over the launch of internet gambling in New Jersey, leading the nation in online gambling for a decade until Michigan narrowly surpassed it last year in terms of money won from gamblers.

Even with the change in administration when Governor Phil Murphy succeeded Chris Christie in 2018, Rebuck remained as the chief gambling regulator. In that year, he played a pivotal role in crafting rules and regulations for New Jersey’s sports betting industry after the state won a landmark legal battle against a federal ban, allowing states to offer legal sports betting. Currently, 38 states plus Washington, D.C., have embraced legal sports betting.

Jane Bokunewicz, director of the Lloyd Levenson Institute at Stockton University, praised Rebuck for launching “new gaming products that are changing the industry and keeping New Jersey at the top of the national market.”

Known for his sought-after advice and technical expertise, Rebuck has assisted over two dozen states in adopting new gambling operations or modernizing existing ones. Commenting on this, Rebuck mentioned, “We’d give them our actual book, and say, ‘This is what we do, this is how we do it and this is how you can do it.’ This is a copycat industry; once people see something that works, they want to do it, too.”

Mark Giannantonio, president of Atlantic City’s Resorts casino and of the Casino Association of New Jersey, described Rebuck as “a thoughtful and progressive gaming regulator who advanced so many aspects of gaming in New Jersey.” Giannantonio highlighted Rebuck’s leadership in internet gambling, stating that he “led the team at DGE and built from the ground up the policies and regulations that created a whole new innovative business for New Jersey in a safe and secure manner.” Mary Jo Flaherty, deputy director of the gaming enforcement division, will serve as interim director for an unspecified period.

Edited by: @MaiaDigital www.zonadeazar.com