ATLANTIC CITY, N.J.: A five-day trial period of Internet gambling began at 6 p.m. Thursday when players invited by casinos made bets online to test the systems.
The test period was established to determine whether sophisticated technology designed to ensure that all gamblers are within New Jersey and that they are 21 or older works correctly.
The test also will evaluate electronic payment technology and the integrity and functionality of the casino games.
The only other states to offer online gambling are Nevada and Delaware.
Online betting will mark the biggest expansion of gambling in New Jersey since casino gambling began in 1978.
Regulators say from 500 to several thousand people could be online at any one time during the test period.