David Rebuck, the former NJ gaming director who walked in a tough situation thirteen years ago has created a legacy that will be followed.
Do you think that being a gambling regulator is easy in the 21st Century? You can try this on.
The entire state regulatory system has been restructured by your governor. The consolidation of authority was spread across two agencies, and entire functions were jettisoned (such as inspectors at gaming floors), but new digital forms of gaming have been authorized.
David Rebuck was a senior advisor to Governor Chris Christie at the time. Chris Christie, who was the Governor of New Jersey at the time. He was given the mandate to be both effective and innovative (including cost-effectiveness). While you’re there, try to be quick.
Rebuck announced his retirement on February 29. At the East Coast Gaming Congress, he will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award. The event will take place at Hard Rock Atlantic City on April 17-18.
Rebuck nurtured relationship between operators and state
Rebuck’s arrival saw the Casino Control Commission, the primary state licensing and regulation agency, having lost over 30 percent of their staff. The new regulations would force him to make even more drastic cuts. It was not easy to gain popularity by implementing such a reform mandate. It was not guaranteed success.
Rebuck did find a solution.
We set up ten separate committees to examine the regulation within our Division. Rebuck explained that this included the financial reporting process, the licensing of dealers, the oversight of the floors, and the revenue-certification process. The regulated entities were given seats at the tables. We told every owner: you choose who will be on these committees.
This core decision sparked a dialog between the government and the gaming industry. The decision made it clear that the gaming operators were responsible for presenting their needs. It also required that they state what steps could be taken to achieve goals which were set jointly and then shared.
Rebuck stated, “They understood they needed regulations.” Rebuck also said that everyone understood the process of review would be dynamic and needed to be closely monitored. I told the group that we would see what happened with these new rules, and then we’d do it all again next year.
NJ has its own gambling test laboratory
The state gaming laboratory was left untouched. It was established at the beginning of gambling to test slots machines. This group is responsible for reviewing and testing all technologies related to gaming.
New Jersey, unlike most other gaming jurisdictions has not outsourced its testing to private laboratories. Its lab is considered by many to be one of the best in the business. Rebuck’s staff and gaming operators were asked for their opinions, and they said that New Jersey had been very responsive. The industry said that they didn’t see a problem. Therefore, New Jersey continues to run its own lab and does not plan to change.
Rebuck faced his greatest challenge with the introduction of igaming in New Jersey, which is now in place for over a decade. We did not tell you how to do your business plan (casino owners). You can do it however you like, so long as the regulations are met.
Rebuck’s team studied igaming, which has been around for many decades in Europe. They quickly realized that this process wouldn’t work in New Jersey because it would open igaming to other entities, not just the casino operators. It was similar to what Amazon does for selling retail products.
Rebuck said that European operators claimed: “We could flip the switch, and be online tomorrow.” “We are not flipping the switch.
New Jersey’s model gave the authority to offer online gaming to licensed casinos. This allowed them to target a whole new market and to convert digital users into brick-and mortar customers who spent money at multiple cash registers. New Jersey implemented igaming within just nine months.
Rebuck’s legacy is based on mentoring
Rebuck has left a legacy that is not only important, but also enduring. Rebuck has served as a consultant to many other regulators who sought his advice. You think Nevada is a gold standard? Rebuck replied, “I don’t.” We think New Jersey is the gold standard.
It is important to repeat the message he sent to his fellow regulators: effective regulation has been the basis of public trust in the gaming industry, allowing gaming operators to obtain financing from Wall Street and banks, which has led to the growth of the gaming sector throughout the United States.
Rebuck continues the tradition of leadership excellence at Division of Gaming Enforcement. He follows in the footsteps of predecessors like G. Michael Brown and Anthony Parrillo.
David Rebuck is an example of how effective regulation can be achieved through constant dialogue, and by reminding people that it is not a luxury or burden. This is a necessity for success.
Michael Pollock, a former managing director at Spectrum Gaming Group has retired and is now a senior policy adviser with the title emeritus. Former New Jersey regulator and co-founder, East Coast Gaming Congress is the oldest gaming conference in America.
