Corzine Must Rethink Slots Situation

Governor Jon Corzine has been putting the issue of slots at the racetracks in New Jersey on the back burner, and the racing association says it is time to change that. They say that they are suffering badly from the lack of funds, and with surrounding tracks adding slots while New Jersey ones cannot; it is only putting them at a further disadvantage.

The citizens of NJ have already approved an amendment to the state’s constitution that would allow for off track betting on horse racing, and they have seen a positive change in the industry. However, the casinos do not want the tracks to get slots as it will greatly reduce the number of people coming to their tracks as it is.

All of the steps that the racing industry has taken up until now would seemingly assure the tracks a beneficial existence – but the health of the industry is quickly declining without being able to offer slots. The tracks are competing with slots, lotteries, etc. that are offered at out of state tracks, and are therefore losing their business to the other businesses.

Many in the industry thought that once they got a new governor that a long term solution to the slots for tracks issues that the tracks and the casinos keep battling over, but so far there as been no relief. In fact, many feel that Corzine has simply closed his eyes to the problems of the tracks and is choosing to honor long standing commitments that he has with his casino cronies.


 

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