 NJ Officials to push gambling measure
Officials to push gambling measure
By BILL DUHART
Courier-Post Staff
Feb 23, 2006
The odds may be against them, but a group of assemblymen plan to promote a measure today in the state Legislature to legalize sports betting in New Jersey.
Assemblyman Louis Greenwald, D-Voorhees, one of the bill's sponsors, said it would challenge a federal law limiting legalized sports betting to four states. New Jersey failed to meet a 1994 deadline allowing it to join Delaware, Montana, Nevada and Ore-gon in legalized sports betting.
Voters would need to approve a referendum to allow it.
Greenwald said it's a coincidence that discussion of legalizing sports betting here came on the heels of an indictment earlier this month, dubbed Operation Slap Shot, of an illegal sports betting ring based in New Jersey.
"This is something we've been working on for four years," Greenwald said Wednesday.
Greenwald and other sponsors of the bill, Assemblymen Jeff Van Drew, D-Dennis, and Jim Whelan, D-Atlantic City, believe revenue from gambling is key to funding many state programs including a prescription drug program.
Residents, however, have mixed views.
"I'm against it," said Timothy Booker, 37, a corrections officer from Merchantville. "I think it will bring a different type element to New Jersey that we don't want. I think it will bring crime."
But Ellis Carpenter, 51, a business owner from Medford, said he thought it would reduce crime.
"Legalize gambling, legalize prostitution, tax it and put the money toward schools," Carpenter said. "Some say it brings crime. It doesn't bring crime. If you police it, there will be no problem. Why give it to the mob? Give it to the schools."
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02-23-2006, 09:54 AM
