by Richard Savner, New Jersey Assembly Republicans

Trenton, NJ — Legislation sponsored by Assembly Republican Ron Dancer to protect the simulcasting of horse races in Atlantic City casinos was signed into law today by Gov. Christie. The bill, S-2626/A-3972, allows casinos to negotiate with out-of-state racetracks for signal fees.

The Borgata is the last remaining horseracing simulcast facility in Atlantic City. Current law limits the fee a casino can pay for the transmission signal. Without the enactment of this bill, permitting a higher fee, The Borgata would have lost the signal for races from Churchill Downs in Kentucky, some of the most prestigious races in the country. The new law allows casinos and out-of-state racetracks to negotiate how much casinos pay to simulcast horse races.

“We only have one casino left where you can bet on and watch the horses,” said Dancer, R–Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex and Monmouth. “This is a matter of survival. For simulcasting to continue in Atlantic City, it needs to be able to show the top stakes races and the best horses. This new law is about keeping pace with the market.”