New Jersey Online Wager Approved for horse racing..a start in the right direction??

24 September 2004

http://www.casinocitytimes.com/news/article.cfm?contentID=145544



NEW JERSEY ? As reported by the Thoroughbred Times: "Online wagering in New Jersey is likely to begin next month following the state racing commission's approval of the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority's account wagering application at its agenda meeting on Thursday at Monmouth Park.

"The final obstacle to the beginning of off-track betting in New Jersey comes from state Attorney General Peter Harvey, who reserves the right to override the commission's approval. Harvey can either approve or disapprove or take no action within that time frame, according to Michael Vukcevich, deputy director of the commission.

"?The computer wagering system is expected to be functional by mid-October. Telephone account wagering is seen to be up and running in November. New Jersey bettors will initially be able to watch races via streaming video on an Internet site?"

Dante, this isn't much news. Online wagering on racing is legal in many states, it is just New Jersey was behind the times because of their casino industry. Used to be the casino industry held court over racing and put a few tracks out of business and brought the others to their knees. Now the tracks got a little edge in that lawmakers have been hearing their calls for slots so the casinos have made a deal to improve the tracks standing by giving them money and the ability to take wagers through phone and online wagering. The casinos still call the shots and will never give the go ahead for sports betting; they have clearly stated they believe if it happens it should be their domain.