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Attorney General Says Off-Track Betting Approval Within The Law
By Jo Ann La Russo
TOMS RIVER – In New Jersey, not only is gambling legal, but off-track wagering regulations allow up to 15 gaming parlors to be established throughout the state.
One of them is coming to Toms River
And it is expected to be wildly successful. According to gambling officials, it’s expected to generate gross revenue of $40 million annually.
The decision allowing an off track betting parlor to be opened in Toms River was approved this week by New Jersey Attorney General Stuart Rabner, when he ruled in favor of the New Jersey Racing Commission’s request to place an off track betting facility along Route 37.
The Off-Track Wagering facility, or OTW, is planned for the site of the old Grand Union Supermarket, located at Route 37 and Bananier. Drive. Construction could begin early next year.
“The Favorites at Toms River” will be designed to seat 759 persons, house a restaurant and sports bar, and have an interior décor of wood, marble and granite, with plush rugs.
“Food, beverage and wagering,” said Freehold Raceway president Donald Codey at the Toms River Planning Board’s courtesy review of the project last fall. “We are bringing the race track to the people.”
The proposed 50,000-square-foot facility is expected to employ 75 to 125 persons, and will feature a video wall, along with sports bar and restaurant, a betting area and an event room. More than 100 private wagering terminals are planned, as well as a VIP area, and 430 LCD flat screen televisions located throughout the building. There will be a total of 330 parking spaces at the site.
There will be no admission charge. There are 64 video surveillance cameras planned to scan the area.
Officials in nearby Berkeley Township have sought to stop the project and have challenged the review process, which they say ignored neighboring townships’ needs in the approval of this type of facility.
But Rabner said in his ruling that the Racing Commission met all the requirements of the law in approving the application by Freehold Raceway Off-Track LLC, and Greenwood Racing and Penn National Gaming Inc. to open the gaming parlor.
“The attorney general did the right thing in approving it,” said Toms River
Mayor Paul C. Brush this week, following
announcement of Rabner’s decision. “What he did was good for the township and good for Route 37. There was no justification for him not to do so.”
When asked about possible traffic congestion in that area, Brush said that in his estimation there will be less traffic at that intersection than there was with the Grand Union.
“The facility will bring in an excellent ratable, and attract businesses into town that will lead to further jobs,” predicted the mayor.
Brush said the township has been seeking ways to raise the commercial ratable base from the existing 18 percent. “I would like to see that number at 25 percent,” he stated.
Council president Gregory McGuckin agreed, saying that he is in accord with the decision for the off track wagering facility, and is pleased that the area will be cleaned up and house a business with a good ratable on Route 37.
Brush said that he looks forward to the establishment’s grand opening and ribbon cutting in the future.
“More commercial businesses paying property taxes,” said the mayor “is, from our standpoint, a net plus for the town.”
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