Depends on Who You Ask 

Whether or not slot machines have a future at racetracks really depends on who you ask. There are those that believe that absolutely there will be slot machines at the tracks, and others who believe that this is a pipe dream that the tracks have wanted to come true for years. The thing is, with gambling doing so poorly in New Jersey right now, almost anything is possible. 

The state has been doing very poorly with their slot machine revenues. A combination of poor economy and an influx of slot machines in the surrounding states have made it very tough on the once gambling Mecca that is known as Atlantic City. But for years the racetracks have stated that they needed slot machines to compete with the surrounding tracks that already offer them, and the casinos have been dead set against it. They said that it would offer too much competition. They offer them a subsidy every year instead, but the tracks say that this is not enough. 

But now that the governor has commissioned a study to see how slot machines might fare at the tracks, many in the casino community are very upset. They say that their slot machines are already taking a beating from the outside sources; they can’t compete within their state as well. The tracks say that if the bill goes through that brings in online gambling to the state, that would give the casinos much more money to play with – and would be the perfect opportunity for them to have slot machines brought in.  

The legislature is split down the middle as some think that it might be a good idea to give them slot machines, but others say that it is never going to happen. Only time will tell which side is right.

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