O’Scanlon and DiMaso Urge Removal of Punitive Language From Sports Betting Bill

The William Hill Sports Race & Sports Book at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO.

Senator Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso (both R-Monmouth) today urged the Legislature to remove punitive language which would discourage sports betting from commencing operations prior to the approval of regulatory framework legislation.

“We understand the motivation to level the playing field which was the apparent goal of this language in the bill, however that goal was achieved already—sports betting has been held off for weeks,” said O’Scanlon. “This language only serves to enable sports betting to get caught up in the complicated—and apparently contentious—budget battle. The Legislature needs to amend, move, and pass this legislation by tomorrow without any unnecessary punitive language.” Read the rest of this entry »

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Murphy could hold sports betting bill as a chip to play in budget negotiations

The William Hill Sports Race & Sports Book at Monmouth Park in Oceanport, New Jersey. Photo By Bill Denver/EQUI-PHOTO.

Dennis Drazin and his partners at Monmouth Park were ready to accept sports bets on Memorial Day weekend.  They wisely didn’t after Senate President Steve Sweeney announced he was inserting a provision in the state legislation regulating sports betting that would prohibit anyone who took bets before the regulations were passed from getting a license.

Sweeney was looking out for the Atlantic City Casinos who weren’t ready to take bets yet.   In the meantime, Delaware passed their spots betting regulations and bets will start being taken there today.  New Jersey loses out again.

What was considered a two or three week delay while legislation was passed now threatens to deprive New Jersey’s racetracks and casinos of sports betting revenue, and the related jobs, for a third or more of their summer season.  According to a report on Politico, Governor Murphy is prepared to hold the sports betting bill as a chip to play as he negotiates his first state budget with the more moderate Sweeney and Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin.

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Did U.S. Supreme Court just boost hopes for N.J. sports betting?

TRENTON — The U.S. Supreme Court on Tuesday gave new hope to New Jersey’s years-long effort to legalize sports betting — and to the prospect that such wagering could soon be allowed throughout the country under incoming President Donald Trump. In an unexpected move, the nation’s highest court delayed issuing a decision on whether it will… Read the rest of this entry »

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If casino vote fails, should N.J. put video lottery machines at racetracks?

TRENTON — A state lawmaker has a backup plan if New Jersey voters reject next month’s ballot referendum to bring casino gambling to the northern part of the state: Installing slot machine-like gaming at the Garden State’s racetracks. Assemblyman Ralph Caputo said Monday that should the referendum fail — as polls predict it will — he… Read the rest of this entry »

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N.J. loses again in quest to bring sports betting to state

WASHINGTON — A federal appeals court on Tuesday threw out New Jersey’s sports betting law, once again blocking the state from expanding its gambling options to augment Atlantic City and the horse-racing industry. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals in Philadelphia ruled that the state’s law violated a 1992 federal ban on sports betting, the Associated… Read the rest of this entry »

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N.J. sports betting case will go before U.S. appeals court again

State Senator Joe Kyrillos, whose district includes Oceanport, the home of Monmouth Park, said, “This court reversal puts us back on the right course to create opportunities here, improve the quality of life, and enhance the state’s economy and job creation and retention at Monmouth Park and Atlantic City. As I’ve said for months, we will prevail, and the repeals that this legislature enacted on a bipartisan basis will ultimately stand.”

TRENTON — New Jersey’s years-long battle to legalize sports betting will get another day in court — and experts say the outlook for the state is suddenly a positive one. Nearly two months after a three-judge U.S. Third Circuit Court of Appeals panel rejected the state’s latest bid to legalize sports wagering at casinos and racetracks,… Read the rest of this entry »

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What’s next for American Pharoah after convincing Haskell win?

Could it be possible that American Pharoah is actually getting better? That was the prevailing belief after the recently stamped Triple Crown winner cruised to a 2-1/4-lengths triumph Sunday in the Haskell Invitational, winning the 1 1/8-mile race in a brisk 1:47.95 despite galloping home under wraps. “It was pretty easy,” said jockey Victor Espinoza, who… Read the rest of this entry »

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Monmouth Park announcer on American Pharoah running in Haskell: ‘I’d be surprised if he didn’t go’ to Jersey Shore

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Atlantic City Race Course racetrack closing down Jan. 16

ATLANTIC CITY — The Atlantic City Race Course will close down “permanently” next week, the track’s owners said in an online statement. Greenwood ACRA said the last day for simulcasting and to cash winning tickets will be Jan. 16. Winning tickets may be cashed after that date at Vineland OTW on South Delsea Drive. Joe Wilson,… Read the rest of this entry »

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Judge issues restraining order on N.J. sports betting

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