Steven V. Oroho, a state senator from Sparta, in New Jersey’s 24th district, has issued a strong letter urging racinos at New Jersey tracks.
The endorsement, reported on northjersey.com, is one of the first outspoken comments on the issue, which normally has drawn silence because of the power and influence of Atlantic City casinos.
Oroho, in his opinion letter, takes the AC casinos on directly saying, “It is time for New Jersey to release itself from antiquated restrictions and become a player once again in the lucrative world of gaming and to maximize the use of our existing racetracks and casinos.”
He says if video slots were introduced at the Meadowlands, the state’s budget could realize $1 billion a year, instead of seeing New Jersey money heading to racinos in Delaware, Pennsylvania and New York, noting that “Atlantic City is no longer the only gaming option open to East Coast players” and citing the opening of the Sands Casino Resort Bethlehem in Pennsylvania, off major cross-Jersey route 78 and only 15 miles from the New Jersey state line, as the latest threat.
Oroho calls racinos in New Jersey a “win-win proposition,” and his letter concludes, “This is about keeping the ‘green’ in the Garden State -- both the cash of our gaming fans and the green acres of our horse farms.”
Oroho’s letter carries no legislative weight, but is significant as an unusual outspoken challenge to the dominant control of Atlantic City casinos from a member of the New Jersey senate.
Click here to view Oroho's letter on northjersey.com.
(Harness Tracks of America)
Just another NJ politician
Just another NJ politician looking for some media attention. As long as the state of NJ operates racetracks, they will NEVER get slots!!!It is called a CONFLICT OF INTEREST! Only Freehold has a chance to get slots because it is privately owned[Pennwood]. The NJSEA[operators of the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park]would never permit Freehold to get VLT'S or slots. The plain and simple fact is the state of NJ doesn't want to get out of the racetracks because too many political cronies have jobs at the tracks and they are not about to put the brakes on the gravy train.