US Congressman Frank Pallone released a statement on Friday urging Governor Christie to preserve horse racing in his district by maintaining state control of Monmouth Park, both a major employer and significant entertainment hub in our region. According to Businessweek, Governor Christie has endorsed the recommendation of the Hanson Commission to unburden New Jersey taxpayers of subsidies to race tracks like the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. He is aiming instead at cutting horse racing loose to the will of the marketplace. Monmouth Park must stand on its own or die, according to Businessweek.
The proposals under discussion are all in the context of the multi-billion-dollar gaming industry, mind you, so this is some significant tinkering. It involves not only Monmouth Park but the Meadowlands and Atlantic City as well. To make the horses profitable, the state hopes to totally privatize the tracks, increase off-track betting, and maybe even add slots at the track. Atlantic City isn't pleased with the prospect of so-called racinos, but they are popular in neighboring states.
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