ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Scott Blumstein's path to winning more than $8.1 million as the World Series of Poker champion started in the online poker rooms of New Jersey.

Blumstein credited his online experience with helping him win the biggest prize in poker after he defeated more than 7,000 players to win the series' marquee no-limit Texas Hold 'em main event early Sunday in Las Vegas.

Internet gambling has helped Atlantic City's beleaguered casino industry begin to recover. New Jersey is one of three states along with Nevada and Delaware to allow online gambling.

Republican New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie signed a measure legalizing internet gambling, including poker, in February 2013.

On Friday, Christie signed a measure urging President Donald Trump and the Republican-controlled Congress not to ban internet gambling.

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