New Jersey and California may be on opposite sides of the U.S. Their comparative weather patterns may be like night and day. But one thing is similar: both are beefing up their horse-racing simulcasting

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An article by Bob Jordan in the Asbury Park Press explains that New Jersey Senate and Assembly committees are scheduled to respectively consider Bill S3115 and A4285 on Thursday, January 5. The bills call for a pilot program to be implemented in the state's northern counties.

The pilot program would make it legal to place wagering terminals in locations where food and alcohol can be served. The possible expansion of the off-track wagering locations is new to the state because even though current law allows for up to 15 OTWs, there are currently only three up and running.

An article by The Press-Enterprise explains that businessman Michael Ryan is looking to house California's fourth mini-satellite off-track wagering site in his Corona establishment.

“I’m trying to create a fun place to go where you can have a nice dinner at a good restaurant with good food,” Ryan was quoted as saying.

“We’re trying to reach people that maybe have stopped attending because it’s too difficult to get to a location,” said Rick Baedeker, of Southern California Off-Track Wagering Inc. “The real hope here is that more people will enjoy making a wager where they never would have had the opportunity before, and so maybe they become interested in the sport.”

Baedeker continued, stating, "If you go to one of these 'minis,' even with the same number of people, the energy level is higher, people are having fun and it’s really a throwback to the way the racetrack used to be when we had the big crowds.”

(With files from Asbury Park Press and The Press-Enterprise)