A New Jersey State Senate Committee was urged on Monday by the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey that if a federal ban on sports betting is ever overturned, it should be allowed at the state's racetracks, as well as at Atlantic City casinos. "Racetracks, like casinos, are highly regulated, stand-alone locations currently providing secure wagering operations," Leon Zimmerman, lobbyist for the SBOANJ, told the Senate Committee on Wagering and Tourism.
The Committee took testimony for discussion purposes only on legislation to authorize professional sports wagering at the casinos and racetracks and a resolution to urge the U. S. Congress to lift the current federal ban on sports wagering. No votes were taken, but senators on the Committee indicated their strong support for the idea.
Supporters of the proposal envision a legal fight to overturn the ban, which applies to 46 states. Only Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana are permitted to have sports wagering because of a grandfather clause in the ban.
Zimmerman was testifying on behalf of the statewide association which represents thousands of people involved in all aspects of the standardbred breeding and racing industry in New Jersey - breeders, horse and farm owners, trainers, drivers and caretakers of harness horses that race at the Meadowlands and Freehold Raceway.
He noted that the horse industry in New Jersey has been in decline since the competition of casinos in Atlantic City, and that surrounding states have put slot machines or video lottery terminals at their racetracks to boost purses that will eventually outpace New Jersey's track purses.
Under an agreement awaiting approval by all parties, the Atlantic City casinos would supplement racetrack purses by $30 million a year for three years in lieu of VLTs at the tracks.
"The horse racing industry will be better equipped to survive if it has another form of wagering, such as on sports, available under its roof," he said, noting that revenues produced through sports betting at racetracks would benefit the state, racetracks and purses for horsemen competing at these racing facilities.
Opposition to the professional sports wagering legislation was voiced by a representative of the National Football League. (SBOA/NJ)
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