VAN DREW: TIME TO GET OFF-TRACK WAGERING
ACROSS THE FINISH LINE IN NEW JERSEY
Tourism and Gaming Chairman Initiates Push
To Expedite Horse Betting Parlors in Garden State (TRENTON) -- The Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee today released legislation Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew sponsored to help New Jersey "get out of the paddock and across the finish line" in establishing more off-track betting parlors in New Jersey.

Van Drew's measure (AR-167) urges the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority (NJSEA) to expedite the creation of off-track wagering (OTW) parlors across the state. The measure expresses the Assembly dissatisfaction with the slow pace of progress on OTW and urges the NJSEA to step up efforts to make the horse betting parlors a reality.

"We have had an OTW law on the books for five years and the state has nothing to show for it," said Van Drew (D-Cape May/Atlantic/Cumberland), who serves as chairman of the tourism and gaming panel. "New Jersey should be at post time on off-track wagering and we don't even have the horses on the track."

Citing how this past weekend's 132nd running of the Kentucky Derby generated hundreds of thousands of dollars in revenue for states across the country, Van Drew said the lack of a single parlor was pathetic.

"The delays on this are costing this state millions of dollars," said Van Drew. "The situation is unacceptable and inexcusable."

In November 1998, voters approved an amendment to the New Jersey constitution allowing the Legislature to authorize wagers on live or simulcast races.

On August 5, 2001, legislation was signed into law by Acting Governor Donald DiFrancesco giving the NJSEA the power to establish 15 off-track wagering sites across the state.

"Expanding off-track wagering in New Jersey would help create a new stream of revenue to relieve some of the budget pressures in the state," said Van Drew. "More must be done if New Jersey is to maximize its investment in off-track betting."

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