Now, they would be better off proposing a real regulatory system rather than hiding behind one that would provide no regulatory control over an already controversial industry. In contrast, the Virgin Islands borrowed a tried regulatory structure by adopting the New Jersey system almost verbatim. Whether the New Jersey system as originally adopted worked in New Jersey was a matter of considerable debate. But what is certain is that it will not work in the Virgin Islands. The difference between the two places is obvious.
New Jersey has a multi-billion dollar gaming industry.
It has the ability to support an expensive regulatory system both in terms of costs to the government and to the regulators. Moreover, things like bans on credit and restrictive advertising may have a purpose in New Jersey where most visitors are from surrounding cities, but only serve to hurt the ability of a tourist-casino to compete for customers. The Virgin islands failed to take into account the fundamental differences between their situation and New Jersey in adopting their gaming laws Both the Virgin Islands and Guam, if the initiative is passed, will have real struggles to achieve a productive casino industry for different reasons. Guam s failure to provide a good regulatory system could plunge it in scandal and corruption. The Virgin Island s system is so burdensome and expensive that it may not attract any casino investors.