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BURZICHELLI & JOHNSON BILL TO BOOST NEW JERSEY HORSE RACING INDUSTRY SIGNED INTO LAW

(TRENTON) – Legislation Assembly Democrats John J. Burzichelli and Gordon Johnson sponsored to help New Jersey’s horse racing industry continue to create jobs and economic development has been signed into law.
The bill (A-3710) allows the NJSEA to jointly run racetracks, conforms standardbred racing days to off-track and account wagering law and decreases thoroughbred racing days at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands to 71 with horsemen’s consent.
It’s among several measures passed by the Democratic Legislature to boost the horse racing industry.
“These bills all share one single goal – enhancing our horse racing industry to allow it to continue creating jobs and economic development throughout our state for years to come,” said Burzichelli (D-Gloucester/Salem/Cumberland). “We’ve taken many steps in the past year to improve our horse racing industry, and these bills represent another step toward keeping it strong.”
“The horse racing industry is vitally important to our entire state, especially Bergen County,” said Johnson (D-Bergen). “We need a strong horse racing industry if we’re going to have a strong economy from Bergen County to elsewhere.”
Other horse racing-related bills recently acted upon by the Legislature include:
· Propose a constitutional amendment authorizing the Legislature by law to allow wagering at Atlantic City casinos and at horse racetracks on sports events (ACR-167). It goes voters in November 2011 election.
· Authorize exchange wagering on results of in-state and out-of-state horse races. Exchange wagering is defined as a form of betting in which two or more persons place directly opposing wagers on the outcome of a horse race (A-2926). It was signed into law.
· Permit racetrack permit holders to provide for a single pari-mutuel pool for each running or harness horse race (A-3200). It was signed into law.
· Authorize Internet account wagering for residents outside New Jersey on in-state horse races (A-3498). It was approved by the Assembly.
· Allow casinos and out-of-state racetracks to negotiate the amount casinos will pay for simulcast races (A-3580). It was approved by the Assembly.