The Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey has issued a terse statement in response to the report released this morning by the office of
New Jersey Governor Chris Christie.
This morning's release from the governor is available here. The response from SBOANJ appears below.
Our preliminary reaction to the Hanson Report is that promises to provide for the future of horse racing and horse farms may have been broken.
We do not want to be dependent on state subsidies. We want a new gaming model with quality racing and a chance to revitalize our product.
Yet the Hanson Commission that prepared the report for Governor Chris Christie was never allowed to consider slots or video lottery terminals at New Jersey’s racetrack. Without alternate gaming as an option, the racing and breeding industry is handcuffed.
We do not want to be on state welfare. We want to build a new gaming model with slots at our tracks the same as Pennsylvania, New York, Delaware and other states.
This is not a speculative solution. It is a proven business plan that has benefited every state that has introduced racinos and whose governors and legislators have been able to lower taxes with the revenue from gaming.
The Report fails to discuss the loss to the state of the thousands of acres dedicated to equine operations in New Jersey which will relocate to more business-friendly states.
We do not understand why the state would be willing to spend taxpayer money to protect private companies, such as the casinos in Atlantic City and the investors in Xanadu, while at the same time dismissing the racing industry as unimportant.
It has been popular lately to bash the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority and the horse racing industry. We hope we are wrong and see a more equitable and reasoned treatment of racing when we have a chance to review the full report.
We look forward to Senate President Sweeney’s Gaming Summit in August where a rational and global plan for all New Jersey gaming will be discussed.
To view the report, click here.
(SBOANJ)
"We look forward to Senate
"We look forward to Senate President Sweeney’s Gaming Summit in August where a rational and global plan for all New Jersey gaming will be discussed"
Senate President Sweeney will be eagerly awaiting the NJ horsemens's/ breeders plan to invigorate harness racing. What will SBOANJ be bringing to the table? Pls don't just huddle together with droopy lips waiting for a handout (it may not come).
NJ is definately the worst
NJ is definately the worst and most governmentally corrupt state in the country. I have been going to the Meadowlands from the day it opened. You not only wager there, you make friends there, you have fun there. I spend about $1500.00 each week and enjoy the heck out of it.If he closes the track, this state will see no more of my money spent in it. I never go to Atlantic City, there are better places to visit in NY and PA. I've been a harness horse owner and a dedicat patron of the "BIG M." It's corrupt government that has ruined it! Xanadu! What a joke! The New stadium is not only the ugliest eyesore in the NFL, but no company will even put their name on it. I wonder how much Christie's pockets were lined building that eyesore.Go ahead and close the Meadowlands, the NJ beaurocrats probably need new houses. Thanks for nothing.
State Welfare - Slot
State Welfare - Slot Welfare what's the difference?
"a proven business plan that has benefited every state that has introduced racinos" - Handle has been declining ever since the introduction of Racinos - so you are correct the only groups receiving a true benefit are the state and track owners. SBOANJ What are your plans for increasing the palatability of the harness racing product. Does your new "gaming model" include anything other than slots?