It has been reported that on Monday, December 9, a Senate committee in New Jersey released a bill intended on bringing ‘instant racing’ to the state.

As an article by John Brennan in The Bergen Record explains, Jeff Gural, operator of the Meadowlands Racetrack, issued a statement to the committee. Some of Gural’s statements appear below.

Instant racing allows for the horse racing industry to keep up with the times through the use of new technology. As competition continues to mount on all borders, instant racing will help us to compete with our neighbors whose purses and breeding programs are enhanced by slots.

Instant racing will provide a much needed shot adrenaline to our industry by generating a consistent flow of business at the new grandstand and other tracks throughout the state, during a time when the industry is in much need of continued business. Instant racing offers a possible new path towards a more sustainable future for New Jersey horse racing.”

Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey President Tom Luchento also gave testimony to the panel, in part stating, “The revenue from our game (instant racing) would be put back into the purses and operational overhead to make racing self sufficient.”

Luchento went on to say, “This pari-mutuel game will give us the chance to revitalize our breeding industry and bring stallions back to New Jersey.”

(With files from The Bergen Record)