From a Monmouth Park release
In a move long supported by Monmouth Park Racetrack, the New Jersey gaming community and the people of the Garden State, the administration of New Jersey Governor Chris Christie today issued an Attorney General’s Directive through Acting Attorney General John Hoffman allowing sports wagering, without fear of criminal or civil liability, at New Jersey racetracks and casinos.
“I am so pleased that Governor Chris Christie has decided to continue his fight to support sports betting,” said Dennis Drazin, advisor to the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association and Darby Development LLC, operators of Monmouth Park Racetrack. “Today’s decision will certainly breathe new life into New Jersey’s gaming community and this courageous move by the Governor will surely help stabilize our already struggling industry.”
In 2012 New Jersey passed the Sports Wagering Act, which permitted the licensing and regulation of sports betting. The State was subsequently sued based on a 1992 statute – the Professional and Amateur Sports Protection Act (PASPA). The U.S. District Court ruled that New Jersey could not proceed with sports wagering and the State appealed. The Third Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the District Court’s ruling; however, that Court stated that there was nothing that could stop New Jersey from removing prohibitions against sports wagering.
It is based on this ruling that Governor Christie has acted, specifically stating in a release today that, “The Attorney General’s Statewide Directive follows the Third Circuit’s ruling and concludes that nothing under New Jersey law prevents casinos and racetracks from operating a sports pool effective today.”
“It will be in the very, very near future that sports wagering will be offered at Monmouth Park,” Drazin said. “We have always stated we would take sports wagers as soon as possible, and thanks to the Governor, Legislature and everyone who has worked extraordinarily hard to see sports betting in New Jersey, that day is on the very near horizon. “We want to offer special thanks to Senator Ray Lesniak, who has led the fight to legalize sports betting; Assemblyman Ron Dancer, who initially sponsored the Assembly’s version of the bill; and all the legislators who voted for the bill, which passed the Senate 38-1 and Assembly 63-6.”
Located in Oceanport, New Jersey, Monmouth Park Racetrack opened in 1946. It was privately held until a 1986 sale to the State of New Jersey. In 2012 the racetrack was leased by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association for five years, with three 10-year extension options. With live world-class Thoroughbred racing from May through September, Monmouth Park attracts over 500,000 visitors annually.
