S1025

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan to amend the State’s Casino Simulcast Act to give casinos the flexibility and profitability to continue partnering with out-of-State racetracks to simulcast high profile races has been signed into law by Governor Chris Christie.

“Given the casino industry’s importance to the South Jersey economy, we need to give our State’s casinos every tool we can to help them be profitable,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, and Chairman of the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. “Unfortunately, the way our Casino Simulcast laws were previously structured, casinos did not have the ability to negotiate a payment to out-of-state tracks that reflected the realities of the market. This was threatening the future of their simulcast business, and to push horse racing enthusiasts out of state to bet on these exciting races. Rather than forfeit profits to racinos out of state, this will allow us to keep those dollars here in New Jersey.”

TRENTON – A bill sponsored by Senator Jim Whelan which would amend the State’s Casino Simulcast Act to give casinos the flexibility and profitability to continue partnering with out-of-State racetracks to simulcast high profile races was approved by the Senate today by a vote of 38-0.

“Given the casino industry’s importance to the South Jersey economy, we need to give our State’s casinos every tool we can to help them be profitable,” said Senator Whelan, D-Atlantic, and Chairman of the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism and Historic Preservation Committee. “Unfortunately, the way our current Casino Simulcast law is structured, casinos cannot pay enough to out-of-state tracks to continue to broadcast their races, and horse racing enthusiasts will instead have to spend their money out of state on these exciting races. Rather than forfeit profits to racinos out of state, we should try to keep those dollars here in New Jersey.”