Online gambling bill approved, New Jersey

 

 

New Jersey Senate committee advanced a bill Monday that would allow online casino gambling, despite opposition from the horse racing industry that included the threat of legal action.

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed online casino legislation that reached his desk last year, citing several concerns, including a component that would dedicate some of the new revenue to horse racing purse subsidies. Christie said the benefits should go to the Atlantic City casinos.

Bill sponsors Raymond Lesniak of Union County and Jim Whelan of Atlantic County, both Democrats, agreed to delete the help for horse racing, prompting racing lobbyist Barbara DeMarco to say the change could lead to a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the expanded gambling.

Representatives of the Meadowlands Racetrack and the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey also said they don’t support the current bill, citing its impact on horse racing betting.

“We believe it will draw from existing wagering pools,” said Tom Luchento, president of the horsemen’s group.

DeMarco testified that Freehold Raceway and Atlantic City Race Course officials don’t like the legislation, either, adding that “undoubtedly the racing industry will push to have a constitutional amendment.”

DeMarco’s comment set off Whelan, who said a delay could be costly in New Jersey’s bid to have first-in-the nation online poker and other games.

“I feel like I’m being blackmailed,” Whelan said. “I‘m open to discussion but I don’t like a gun being put to my head and being told, ‘You will do this or else we will blow this whole thing up.’”

Christie at a news conference on a separate topic said administration members are “in constant meetings” with lawmakers and their staffs on the proposal, though Christie said he hasn’t been briefed on the progress.

“I have great personal interest in it and want to see what they’re working on and hope we get to a point where we can overcome some of the concerns that I had when the bill was passed before when I issued a conditional veto,” the Republican governor said. “We’re in constant meetings. We had a great meeting with Sen. Lesniak last week. He’s working hard with us.”

The Senate Government and Wagering Committee passed the bill in a 3-0 vote with two abstentions despite the warning from the horsemen.