With the upcoming election less than three weeks away, Assemblywoman Connie Wagner is encouraged by a new poll released on Wednesday showing New Jersey voters overwhelmingly support a proposed constitutional amendment to legalize sports betting in New Jersey.
Wagner is one of the sponsors of the proposed constitutional amendment (ACR-167) that asks voters whether New Jersey should allow sports betting at Atlantic City casinos and horse racing tracks in the state, if federal law is changed.
The Rutgers-Eagleton poll shows 58 percent of likely voters support the proposal, which will be decided by voters in the Nov. 8 election. The poll found 31 percent oppose it.
“I think it’s clear that a majority of voters understand the boost this would bring to our state in terms of much-needed revenue, jobs and economic growth,” said Wagner (D-Bergen). “Not only would this be a boon for Atlantic City, but even more so for our racetracks which are struggling to attract new audiences.”
Under the proposal, bets could be placed at a casino or racetrack site on the results of professional, college or amateur sport or athletic events, except on college games that take place in New Jersey or in which a New Jersey college team participates.
“Every day we see new ventures in neighboring states threatening the dominance New Jersey once had as the gaming capital of the Northeast,” added Wagner. “In order to protect our racetracks and casinos, we need find new offerings that will enable us to maintain a competitive edge.”