It has been reported that New Jersey governor Chris Christie's transition team was starting to grow fond of the idea of a casino resort at the Meadowlands Racetrack, but all mention of the idea was excluded from the final

recommendation.

According to the Asbury Park Press, Atlantic City executives are fighting horse racing officials' attempts to bring a 'gaming mall' to the Meadowlands.

The article states that the gaming mall idea was 'embraced in a report dated January 4, but deleted from the final January 5 report.' Among other individuals, the committee is made up of a Harrah's vice president, a Borgata senior vice president and the chief executive officer of Trump Entertainment.

The Asbury Park Press report states that the apparent change in stance from January 4 to 5 incited panel member Mike Gulotta, a standardbred horse breeder, to submit a minority report. His report protested the issue of omission of the possibility of introduction of video lottery terminals at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

The article cites the deleted recommendation as saying: 'Utilizing existing investment and existing infrastructure at the Meadowlands . . . move forward with the planning and implementation of a world-class, full-service casino resort at the Meadowlands Sports Complex as a way to recapture New Jersey's gaming market share, tax revenues and as a huge job creation mechanism. In addition, certain revenues will be directed to help support purses and NJ (sic) breeding funds.'

(With files from Asbury Park Press)