NJ Lawmaker Says Sports Betting Will Be Good For What Ails Atlantic City
By Molly Daly
TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) -- After Gov. Chris Christie today issued a directive that will allow New Jersey's casinos and racetracks to offer sports betting, a longtime proponent of the move says he's delighted.
"I'm glad the governor reversed his course, because he vetoed my legislation doing exactly the same thing two months ago," said state senator Frank Lesniak, of Union County.
Lesniak says he's been pushing for sports betting in New Jersey for five years, in the belief that it's the right medicine for its gambling capital.
"Atlantic City casinos are ailing," Lesniak tells KYW Newsradio. "We have 8,000 people out of work. Our racetracks are losing customers all the time, and that's another industry that needs help. Sports betting will breathe life back into those industries, particularly Atlantic City."
Lesniak says the Garden State's move into Nevada-style sports betting will attract more customers who'll stay in the resort town to gamble, drink, and dine. And he expects the change to come quickly.
"I expect that we'll be taking bets at our casinos in Atlantic City and at our racetracks before the end of the year," he said today.