After being instrumental in defeating a public referendum to allow two casinos to be built in northern New Jersey—which voters defeated by a 4 to 1 margin—Trenton’s Bad Bet says it will now oppose a plan to allow online gambling “cafes” at two New Jersey racetracks.
The plan has been proposed in the state Assembly and would allow two New Jersey racetracks—Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport and Meadowlands Racing & Entertainment in East Rutherford—to partner with online gambling providers already operating in the state to allow for online gambling areas, similar to internet cafes.
Critics, however, have charged that the plan is simply trying to circumvent the will of the state’s voters who overwhelmingly defeated an attempt to expand gaming in the state.
“This continued effort to expand gaming outside of Atlantic City after such a significant defeat at the ballot box is a slap in the face to New Jersey voters and reinforces the case that special interests will stop at nothing to get their way,” said Bill Cortese, executive director of Trenton’s Bad Bet in a press statement. “New Jersey residents spoke loud and clear that Trenton should focus on more pressing matters starting with meeting pension obligations and ensuring school districts receive adequate funding—not on another attempt to expand gaming to the benefit of billionaire developers.”
There is also a move in the state legislature to allow video lottery terminals at racetracks, which are similar in play to slot machines. However, attempts to put VLTS at racetracks in the state have failed several times in the past.
As for the online gaming bill, the Casino Association of New Jersey has already come out against the bill and Governor Chris Christie has called the bill’s passage unlikely.
Still, Trenton’s Bad Beat spent about $14.4 million during the campaign on the public referendum to allow new casinos and has vowed to fight attempts by the legislature to expand gambling without another public vote.
The group is funded primarily by casino interests in Pennsylvania and New York, including the owners of racinos at Yonkers Raceway and Aqueduct.
