Racetrack patrons would be permitted to place bets on special mobile gaming devices under legislation signed today (Monday, January 28) by New Jersey Governor Christie sponsored by Assembly Republican Ronald S. Dancer.

“With this innovation, horse-race fans could place a bet and collect their winnings without leaving their seats,” Dancer, R-Ocean, Burlington, Middlesex and Monmouth, said. “Allowing race tracks to take advantage of the technology that has transformed our daily lives will improve the experience for fans and give New Jersey facilities a competitive edge over other states competing for a share of the horse racing market.”

The law, A-2610, updates the state’s horse racing laws to specifically reference mobile gaming devices and give clear legal standing to their regulated use by the New Jersey Racing Commission. The devices would allow patrons to place bets and receive information about wagers, outcomes and other information about racing, such as viewing live horse races on iPads or iPhones.

The bill stipulates that the mobile gaming devices would be permitted to operate in all indoor and outdoor areas of the racetrack.

“This will merge some of the 21st Century into one of the oldest forms of sport,” Dancer said. “People would no longer have to break from enjoying all of the racetrack amenities in order to wait in line to place a bet or collect winnings as they have done for decades. This will put New Jersey at the forefront of using modern technology at the horse track and place this regulated use in state law. I’m grateful that this received bipartisan support from Governor Christie and legislators.

Dancer’s bill has bipartisan support from Assemblyman John Burzichelli and Assemblywoman Connie Wagner.

(NJ Assembly Republicans)