SBOANJ response to Hanson report
July 21, 2010,by Carol Hodes, for the SBOANJ
Manalapan, NJ — Our preliminary reaction to the Hanson Report is that promises to provide for the future of horse racing and horse farms may have been broken.
We do not want to be dependent on state subsidies. We want a new gaming model with quality racing and a chance to revitalize our product.
Yet the Hanson Commission that prepared the report for Governor Chris Christie was never allowed to consider slots or video lottery terminals at New Jersey’s racetracks. Without alternate gaming as an option, the racing and breeding industry is handcuffed.
We do not want to be on state welfare. We want to build a new gaming model with slots at our tracks the same as Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and other states.
This is not a speculative solution. It is a proven business plan that has benefited every state that has introduced racinos and whose governors and legislators have been able to lower taxes with the revenue from gaming.
The Report fails to discuss the loss to the state of the thousands of acres dedicated to equine operations in New Jersey which will relocate to more business-friendly states.
We do not understand why the state would be willing to spend taxpayer money to protect private companies, such as the casinos in Atlantic City and the investors in Xanadu, while at the same time dismissing the racing industry as unimportant.
It has been popular lately to bash the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority and the horse racing industry. We hope we are wrong and see a more equitable and reasoned treatment of racing when we have a chance to review the full report.
We look forward to Senate President Sweeney’s Gaming Summit in August where a rational and global plan for all New Jersey gaming will be discussed.
- Report: Meadowlands Racetrack may be sold — for $1 (Tuesday, July 20, 2010)
Preliminary press reports say that New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie will announce on Wednesday the sale — or possible closure — of the Meadowlands Racetrack as part of a makeover of the state’s struggling gaming industry.
- Christie welcomes recommendations of New Jersey Advisory Commission (Wednesday, July 21, 2010)
Governor Chris Christie today hailed the recommendations of the New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment Advisory Commission as a guide for creating and sustaining a healthy economic environment to support the long term viability of the State’s gaming, professional sports, and entertainment infrastructure.
- What New Jersey stands to lose if there is no horse racing in the state (Tuesday, July 27, 2010)
The following is a response to the Report of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on New Jersey Gaming, Sports and Entertainment from the Rutgers Equine Science Center.
- Gaming Summit meeting held in Atlantic City (Friday, August 06, 2010)
The first of three public meetings to develop a sustainable plan for the co-existence of horse racing and casino interests in New Jersey was held on Friday morning in Atlantic City, New Jersey.
- Second New Jersey Gaming Summit set for September 10 (Tuesday, August 31, 2010)
The second New Jersey Gaming Summit will be held September 10 at Meadowlands Racetrack’s Pegasus restaurant.
- New Jersey Dems present their plan to aid racing (Tuesday, October 19, 2010)
New Jersey Democrats have reportedly formulated a plan to aid the state’s racing industry: The plan calls for shortening race meets at The Meadowlands and Monmouth Park, opening more off-track wagering parlors, and permitting tracks to offer in-state Internet wagering — if approved by voters.