To say that New Jersey's casino and racetrack interests are at odds could be the understatement of the year thus far. Although, one of the few things that the two camps do agree on is that legalized sports wagering in the state would solve a lot of financial problems -- just ask Donald Trump
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“The sooner it (sports betting) can happen in New Jersey, the better,” Trump, who maintains control of three Atlantic City casinos, was quoted as saying in a nj.com article. “Atlantic City has a lot of competition right now. It needs an edge.”
As the article explains, pro-horse racing Senator Ray Lesniak is pushing an amendment to the state constitution which would allow sports betting in cash-strapped New Jersey, as well as the legalization of internet gaming through Atlantic City casinos. Therefore, there is an outside shot that the question of legalized sports betting could be up for referendum later this year.
Lesniak isn't pulling any punches in terms of how he feels about New Jersey residents not being able to legally place wagers on sporting events while others in the United States can.
“It’s ridiculous to me that New Jersey and 45 other states cannot legally bet on sporting events, but citizens in four states can,” he was quoted as saying. “We are being discriminated against.”
(With files from nj.com)