New Jersey Horsemen Fight For VLT’s

More than 600 members of New Jersey’s horse racing industry heeded last week’s call from Tom Luchento to attend Friday’s gaming summit and show their support to the Meadowlands.

Luchento urged horsemen and gamblers alike to show Legislatures that they would not be able to take horse racing out of the state without a fight.

“If we have to race for hay and oats, that’s what we’ll do, but we’re not going anywhere,” said Luchento. “Horse racing is a part of the fabric of this state.”

Luchento is the head of the Standardbred Breeders and Owners Association of New Jersey and has been charged with the task of preparing a master plan to save the industry without state support. The Governor has asked for the report within the next six months.

Luchento says that as part of that plan, the organization is considering cutting back on the number of races offered during the season and expanding off-track wagering, however is faulting the Governor’s stance on not allowing video lottery terminals at the track, saying that allowing VLT’s at Meadowland could help them raise $500 to $700 million a year and is the easiest way to eliminate the need for state subsidy.