Just when everybody thought that the gambling expansion plan is already dead in the water, New Jersey lawmakers made a stealthy move to forward a bill that calls for the introduction of alternative gaming areas in at least a few of the state’s horse racetracks.
The move of state legislators to advance Bill A4255 came a month after New Jersey residents overwhelmingly rejected a ballot measure that would have allowed casinos in North Jersey
Politico reported that the new proposal, which hurdled the Assembly gaming committee after a 4-3 vote, may allow the expansion of casinos to the race tracks without amending the state constitution or holding another election.
To be specific, A4255 will allow Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands Racetrack could partner with existing Atlantic City casinos to create what supporters described as “internet cafes” offering online gambling.
If enacted as written, New Jersey could potentially create the sort of “racino” operations that dot New York State and became a multi-billion-dollar industry after starting with simple “video lottery terminals.”
“The racetrack, in effect, would be leasing the casinos some floor space at the race track. It would be in a designated area,” Dennis Drazin, who represents Monmouth Park, told committee members. He said he envisions “nice, upscale” areas where there would be “an environment of camaraderie.”
Democratic Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, who staunchly opposed the North Jersey expansion plan, was caught by surprise since he was expecting something totally different.
“This intent was not what we thought when we came here,” he said after the meeting. “And now that you read into the bill and heard the testimony, there’s something up here. Something doesn’t smell right.”
Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, chairman of the committee and a sponsor of the legislation, said that the filing of the bill should be expected after the North Casino expansion plan’s defeat. He also shrugged off criticism that the move violates the will of the 80 percent of voters who rejected the ballot question 1.
“Once we get that momentum, maybe we can win this time,” he said with a chuckle. “This is another way of winning, isn’t it?”
There is no definite answer as to whether the bill will ultimately advance to the point where it will be the subject of a full-Assembly vote. The article also conveys that it is ‘unlikely’ that A4255 will be addressed by the Senate without some form of amendment.
