Senator Jennifer Beck, Assemblyman Declan O’Scanlon and Assemblywoman Caroline Casagrande have called on the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to seek proposals to place video lottery terminals at the Meadowlands, following a recent $600 million offer from a group of
casino industry executives.
“This proposal to pay the SEA $600 million shows that placing VLTs or slots at racetracks could be very profitable for the State of New Jersey,” said Beck. “In the midst of our fiscal crisis in the State, an offer like this cannot necessarily be dismissed out of hand. However, an offer like this cannot also simply be accepted without an open bidding process. That is why I believe that the Authority should seek similar proposals so that it can determine which of these proposals are best for the State and New Jersey’s racing industry.”
The offer to place VLTs at the Meadowlands would also mean that Global Enterprises Meadowlands, the entity that made the offer and is led by former Harrah’s Atlantic City chief executive David Hanlon, would run the track.
“When we’re facing an $11 billion structural deficit,” said O’Scanlon, “it is important to look for revenue streams wherever we can find them. Maybe it makes sense to have VLTs or slot machines at the Meadowlands, and maybe it makes sense for another entity run the track. It’s important that if an offer like this is on the table that it is considered alongside alternatives and that the most educated decision is made. The NJSEA needs to be open to whatever would be the best choice for New Jersey.”
“We are at the point where we need to look at all alternatives,” said Casagrande, “but we won’t know what all of the alternatives are if we accept the first offer to come along. The idea of VLTs or slots at racetracks has been discussed quite a bit, but this is the first concrete offer that the NJSEA has gotten. It’s vital that an open bidding process takes place so that the best choice is made for the citizens of New Jersey.”
(NJ Senate Republicans)