New Jersey racing tracks to offer internet gambling?

According to an Associated Press report today (Thursday) the New Jersey House of Assembly is scheduled to vote on a bill seeking to authorise state racetracks to offer internet gambling on their premises.

This facility would be conditional on the tracks establishing partnerships with Atlantic City land casinos or online affiliates of such operations.

Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, a former casino executive, claims that the new law will assist the struggling racing industry by providing it with a new source of revenue, and could attract more punters to the tracks.

New Jersey already allows legal online gambling within its borders, provided operator servers are located in Atlantic City.

Dennis Drazin, chairman and CEO of the Monmouth Park racetrack said that the proposed legislation represents a win-win for the racing industry and the casino industry, and is not being forced on either tracks or casinos.

He sees a cross-over whereby racing fans can place online casino wagers between races, with the tracks receiving rewards for sending new business to the online operations of Atlantic City land casinos.

The tracks would set up appropriate equipped areas where punters can go online to gamble, with the proposed legislation making the tracks exempt from state law that bans internet cafe-style illegal gambling.

The position of the Casino Association of New Jersey is not at present clear on the proposal, but internet gambling has proved to be a success in New Jersey since it was legalised .

The state Senate has not yet scheduled a vote on the measure, which is being considered in a committee.