by Carol Hodes, for the SBOA of New Jersey

Manalapan, NJ — Another step toward securing funding for New Jersey’s racing and breeding industries was taken Monday (Nov. 15) when the state senate’s Budget and Appropriations Committee approved a bill which would permit internet wagering based on casino games in Atlantic City.

A provision of the bill appropriates a percentage of the amount of tax generated by internet wagering for the benefit of the horse racing industry, including but not limited to the augmentation of purses.

“We want to thank Senator Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) for his sponsorship of S490 and his leadership in clearing this latest legislative hurdle with one of a series of bills that emerged from the testimony we presented before the senators and assembly members who participated in this past summer’s gaming summits,” said Tom Luchento, president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey.

“We feel that the senate leadership, including Senator Lesniak, Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen, Essex & Passaic) and Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Salem, Cumberland & Gloucester), heard our concerns and have hammered together a legislative package that will help to generate the funding we need to secure racing’s future in New Jersey,” Luchento noted.