After a laborious fight that has spread from the state’s legislature to the governor’s office, New Jersey looks to be back on track with opening up internet gaming and sports betting. However, public opinion appears to be split on the issue.

On Monday, the Assembly Budget and Appropriations Committee passed A2578, a bill that would allow New Jersey to open up shop for internet gaming, including poker. While its present status would only allow Garden State residents to participate online, a provision in the bill would allow players from other states or even other countries to join in if any Federal regulations allow it.

In addition to the bill regarding internet gaming, the New Jersey Legislature is looking at becoming only the second state to permit active sports betting outlets, something that currently only occurs in Nevada.

Reasoning for the fast-track movement by New Jersey officials is based on a decline in gaming revenues in Atlantic City casinos due to competition from surrounding states like Pennsylvania, New York, and Delaware. Any laws regarding internet poker or gaming would put servers in Atlantic City, which could provide the casinos offering such activities a boost to their bottom lines. The current bill would prevent any bars, restaurants, or internet cafes from hosting or advertising internet gambling.

But, there are hurdles to overcome before New Jersey can begin. Governor Chris Christie (pictured), a rumored 2012 Republican Vice Presidential candidate, has flip-flopped on the issue, vetoing a bill last yearthat would have opened up the New Jersey market and then offering his support for such a measure earlier this year.

Christie has also said he would veto any bill that would cut into a potential recovery for Atlantic City. Some members of the General Assembly are against the bill not because of its internet nature, but because they want gambling to be offered in other areas of the state besides just Atlantic City.

Adding to the discussion between the legislature and Christie are lingering concerns about internet technologies. Such issues as the ability to ensure players are of legal age and the prevention of problem gambling continue to arise, giving ammunition to opponents of the legislation.

With the passage of A2578 out of committee – and with a companion bill ready for action in the Senate – the ball is now in the court of the New Jersey Legislature to come up with legislation that Christie is comfortable signing into law.

The flurry of activity in New Jersey is peculiar in that its residents seem to be behind expanding Atlantic City’s offerings to include sports betting, but against any form of internet gambling. In a poll conducted by Fairleigh Dickinson University in May of 797 residents, internet gaming was rejected by 58%, while 31% favored such activity. In contrast, betting on sports was favored by 60% of respondents, with 26% against.

It doesn’t seem to be a Democrat/Republican issue, either. 58% of Republicans rejected internet gaming, while 60% of Democratic respondents opposed it. Women opposed internet gaming at a 65%-25% margin and men opposed it as well, albeit at a 52%-37% rate. The only demographic that approved of internet gaming were those 30 years old and under; every other age group was against it.

“Online gambling may be a good bet for new state revenue, but lots of voters don’t think it’s a good bet for New Jersey,” Peter Woolley, the director of the poll, said to the Associated Press last month. “I suppose there is something to be said for losing money without the inconvenience of leaving town, but that’s usually called property tax or alimony.”

With elections being held in November and a new legislative session beginning in January, any issues on the docket that haven’t been passed would die with the new session. Thus, the pressure is on New Jersey politicians to make a decision regarding internet gaming before November.