New Jersey's horse racing and casino gambling interests at odds over how to compete

New Jersey's horse racing and casino gambling industries still have a long way to go in developing a collaborative strategy to meet the competitive challenges emerging in neighboring states.

Representatives of the longtime rival industries couldn't even agree on what to discuss Wednesday at a meeting of a new commission charged with saving the state's four horse racing tracks.

Track officials wanted to talk about "racinos," the electronic betting parlors that have been introduced at 36 race tracks in 15 states since 1995. However, Joseph Fusco, a spokesman for the Casino Association of New Jersey, spoke for 20 minutes at the meeting without even mentioning the word.

Racinos are now operating in neighboring states, but they're still barred in New Jersey out of deference to the powerful Atlantic City casinos, which have seen their revenue shrink amid the national recession. Racing interests are afraid they're losing valuable time by not joining the trend.

Fusco, an executive vice president at Trump Entertainment Resorts, drew a testy response from racing industry representatives at the end of his prepared testimony by suggesting they focus on improvements "horse racing can generate from its own business."

Thomas F. Luchento, president of the Standardbred Breeders & Owners Association of New Jersey, said the casinos should fix their own problems instead of meddling in racing.

"Our decline is directly related with casinos and lotteries," Luchento said, noting that racing's share of state gambling tax revenue has decreased from 81 percent to 1 percent since casinos were first allowed in 1978.

Casinos have subsidized New Jersey's tracks since 2004 to help them provide the same kind of purses now being offered by racino-equipped tracks in neighboring states. The higher purses are needed to attract the best horses and jockeys. The total amount of the subsidy through 2011 is estimated at $176 million.

However, Chris Scherf, executive vice president of The National Thoroughbred Racing Association, said subsidies don't address the need to upgrade New Jersey's stagnant tracks to compete with the new facilities. Electronic gaming would help pay for those improvements, he said.

The number of racinos in the United States has grown from four to 36 since the trend began in 1995 and is expected to top 45 by 2015.

"It's not horse racing versus casinos," state Sen. Jennifer Beck, of Red Bank, reminded members at Wednesday's meeting of the Governor's Commission on the Horse Racing Industry. "It's New Jersey versus Pennsylvania, Maryland, Delaware and New York."

Ernie D'Ambrosio, a gambling consultant with The Innovation Group, said it's a tough time for racing to push changes on the state's casino industry, which employs 43,000 workers and generates about $1 billion in annual state taxes. Revenue at the 11 casinos in Atlantic City fell 16 percent to $1.62 billion during the first five months of this year from the same period of 2008.

The racing industry has about 2,050 employees and generates about $31 million in annual state and local taxes, according to a 2007 study by Rutgers University.

"It's an election year and Atlantic City is fragile right now," D'Ambrosio said. "So, New Jersey is playing a waiting game." source>>>

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Two More Co-Sponsors Added To Frank Online Gambling Legislation

Representative Barney Frank spent the weekend at the World Series of Poker where he answered questions regarding his online gambling legislation. On Tuesday, Frank picked up more Congressional support for H.R. 2267.

Two more co-sponsors were added to a list that was already forty Representatives long. Rep. Paul Hodes from New Hampshire and Rep. Edolphus Towns from New York signed on to the Bill that has some powerful legislators in its corner.

Frank is taking his second go around at overturning the Unlawful Internet Gambling Enforcement Act. The first attempt last year failed miserably because of the Republican presence in Congress. Now Frank has his fellow Democrats in control, and he feels this is the time the laws will be changed.

"It's odd that we say 'no gambling'," said Frank at the WSOP Sunday, "because the country is in a terrible economic hole because of gambling. The difference is that the law that was passed by the Republicans stop individuals from gambling in thousands with their own money. At the same time they were allowing institutions to gamble in the billions with other people's money."

Even opponents of online gambling have conceded that it will be hard to hold off the public's demand for Internet freedom. Rep. Spencer Bachus acknowledged that Frank and his supporters will be better prepared when the issue comes up for debate in the near future.

Originally, the House Finance Committee was supposed to move forward on the gambling Bill in the summer, but the economic conditions in the US have stalled the process. Frank now believes the issue will be discussed at length in September. source>>>

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MLB Picks and Predictions Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels Odds

MLB Picks and Predictions Texas Rangers at Los Angeles Angels Odds: While sportsbooks MMA betting players get pumped for UFC 100, some of the biggest divisional rivals in Major League Baseball fittingly slug it out this week. Let's explore some AL East and NL West matchups that have important divisional implications. The MLB Betting Odds list Los Angeles Angels -170 favorites to Texas Rangers +160 underdogs heading into this MLB Picks matchup.

Tuesday, July 7, 10:05 p.m. ET Dustin Nippert (NR) vs John Lackey (3-3, 4.70). Don't let John Lackey's mediocre stats fool Active Imageyou; he's starting to look like his old ace self again, allowing three or fewer runs in three of his last four outings. Texas gives him trouble historically (10-10, 5.79) but, even if he allows a pile of runs, he should get plenty of run support. The MLB Betting Odds list the total in this Texas Rangers at Los Angeles game is set at 9.5 runs.

Dustin Nippert, a converted reliever, hasn't pitched yet this season. Not only is he making his first start since being activated from the 60-day DL, he has a 6.42 lifetime ERA. You have to wonder if he should be in the majors at all right now. Best of luck to him - and to anyone brave enough to go against their handicapping software and pick Texas. MLB Predictions choice: Angels source>>>

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MLB Predictions Oakland Athletics vs Boston Red Sox MLB Odds

MLB Predictions Oakland Athletics vs Boston Red Sox MLB Odds: Nomar Garciaparra returns to Boston for the first time since 2004 when he was traded and the Red Sox went on to win the World Series. I expect Nomar to be greeted with open arms as he is still well liked in the area. In return I expect plenty of runs in this game as the A's will be motivated to try and win one for Nomar. The MLB Odds list Boston Red Sox -260 favorites to Oakland Athletics +250 underdogs heading into this MLB Predictions matchup.

Active Image"I think we feel like we need this roster spot for about a week," Red Sox manager Terry Francona told his team's official Web site. "Rather than go make a move, I think we all kind of enjoy promoting from within. ... Hopefully this kid will help us win a couple of games."

John Smoltz has been hittable in his few starts for the Red Sox and the bullpen has struggled in Boston. The pens ERA is over 6 in its last three outings and the over has cashed in five out of the last six games. Ortiz is starting to hit again for the sox and the A's start a lefty in Brett Anderson. The Sox hit lefties at .282 at home this year and Anderson has seen the over cash in three of his last four starts. Nomar will have a great night at the plate and don't be surprised if the A's win. It will be a high scoring affair in Boston. MLB Predictions Bet On the over 9.5 . The MLB Odds list the total in this Oakland Athletics vs Boston Red Sox game is set at 9 runs.

Glen McNeil Weekly MLB Package MLB Picks & MLB Predictions for one week. Picks minimum: handicapper must provide you with at least 7 picks during subscription term, otherwise we will give you another such subscription for free. Join Glen For his MLB Picks & MLB Predictions for entire week at a small price. Bet with Heroes and receive -105 reduced juice MLB games. source>>>

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MLB Handicapping: Revisited MLB Pennant Predictions

MLB teams have now reached the mid-point of their seasons. Once a team has played it's 81st game, it is time to start counting backwards. The MLB season has been 162 games since the early 60s. Prior to that, there was a 154-game slate with plenty of doubleheaders. Then greed set in. There was the addition and eventual expansion of the League Championship Series, and then the addition of the Division Series. Now we have a baseball season that is bookended by snowfall.

In my preseason article on this site my predictions for the teams that would meet for the League Championship were the New York Mets (5/2) and the San Francisco Giants (12/1) in the National League. Over in the American, my prediction included the New York Yankees (3/2) meeting up with the Los Angeles Angels (6/1). The Mets, of course, are in the toilet. The Giants, meanwhile, have been getting consistent pitching and hitting after a so-so start. The favorite Yanks have been on a recent roll. The Angels are a balanced team that has been playing solid baseball. They most likely won't win 100 games like they did last season, but they will win more than enough. They seem to have overcome the grief of losing their young pitcher in an auto crash.

Now at the halfway point, I would like to break down the challengers and make my predictions known. That brings to mind a quote from the late broadcaster, Harry Caray: "What does a mama bear on the pill have in common with the World Series? No Cubs!" In the NL Central, I feel that the Cubs, Brewers, Cardinals, Reds or Astros could win. Who will step up? My pick is St. Louis. They have a decent staff anchored by Chris Carpenter, and I feel that their big bats will be along in time. With Tony LaRussa at the helm they have an added edge. In the West, the Dodgers had that great start. Whether having Manny Ramirez back is a plus or minus is still up in the air. The Giants pitchers and batters have both heated up. I feel that the wild card will come out of this division. I'll stick with my early pick, the Giants, to win it. In the NL East, the defending MLB Champion Phillies have not been able to win at home. Once they start winning at home, they could walk-away with this division. The Florida Marlins have enough tools to stay close and contend for the wild card.

In the American League, all the divisions appear to be wide open. In the East, Boston and New York will always be neck\-to-neck. The defending AL Champion Tampa Bay Rays are still alive too. What makes them a threat is that they have no fear of the Red Sox and Yankees. However, I like both the Red Sox and Yankees to make the playoffs. Over in the Central , the Tigers and Twins will duke it out. Both have excellent managers, but neither team can win on the road. I'll select Detroit. The White Sox won't be a factor unless they go get themselves another front-line hurler. Out West, the Angels, as previously stated, will win it. Texas and Seattle have their fans excited, but will falter down the stretch.

I will take another peak once we hit September, but right now I like the Angels to beat Philadelphia for the World Series crown. source>>>

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