According to reports, bills in New Jersey dealing with expanded gaming, simulcasting, and the licensing of off-track wagering locations passed both the Assembly and the state Senate on Monday, January 9. The bills now move on to the office of Governor Chris Christie
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The bills, A4385, A4285 and S3185, deal with sports wagering, off-track wagering locations at bars and restaurants, and licensing of OTWs, respectively.
As an article by pressofatlanticcity.com explains, the state's aspirations of implementing legalized sports wagering still has a long road to travel, as the initiative will have to continue to work its way through the federal courts due to a federal ban on sports wagering in all but four states.
There was a horse racing-related bill which died on Monday and did not get introduced in the Assembly. According to another article by pressofatlanticcity.com, a bill which would've seen the Atlantic City Race Course for thoroughbreds receive 90 per cent of the Casino Simulcasting Special Fund did not get posted in the Assembly.
The article has quoted Republican Assemblyman John Amodeo as saying that members of the Demcat-dominated Assembly "wouldn't post it (the bill) because it had (fellow Republican Assemblyman Vince Polistina's) name on it."
Monday was the last day of the session. Any bills that were not approved died and would have to be reintroduced in the next two-year session, which begins Tuesday, January 10.
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