Major League rip-off: New Jersey online betting

New Jersey is the home state of The Meadowlands Racetrack and Freehold Raceway. With The Meadowlands being the undisputed capital of North America harness race wagering where handles of $3 million are expected on every card, one would think horseplayers in New Jersey would get the highest consideration over any other state in the union. Yet, the exact opposite is true.

A July 4^th story about a contract dispute between The New York Racing Association (NYRA) and TVG/Fan Duel highlights just the opposite. This dispute has temporarily (at least) removed the capability of TVG customers from wagering on NYRA races. Currently those NYRA races are held at Belmont at The Big A.

Maybe, by the time this article is published, the dispute will have ended. But that does not end the lack of freedom for the New Jersey horseplayer.

If you live in New Jersey, and all of your wagers are online, you were not able to place any wagers on the races at Belmont at the Big A on July 4^th, because it is against the law for you to wager with any other provider outside of 4NJ Bets. Yes, you read it correctly – AGAINST THE LAW!  And 4NJ Bets is a TVG/Fan Duel product.

Note: MonmouthBets is a different form of wagering and is not offered for harness racing.

How ironic is it that this event highlighting the lack of freedom for New Jersey horseplayers occurs on July 4^th? Does this lack of freedom have a direct impact on the bottom line for New Jersey horseplayers? Yes, and big time. The Meadowlands has a nice rebate program for on-track players. I believe other tracks and wagering providers might have better plans, but the Meadowlands track rebate policy is monumentally better than the rebates offered by 4NJ Bets.

Plus, there are many other online providers offering generous online betting rebate deals. Ok, non-New Jersey horse players — get ready to get jealous (sic) when you see the 4NJ Bets rebate plan. How about a $5 rebate for every $2,500 wagered. NOT A TYPO. That is .2% or one-fifth of one percent.

Compare this to TwinSpires, for one.

If you are an occasional player or bet small enough where the opportunity for a large rebate means little, there are many reasons to prefer the TVG product. But for New Jersey players who enjoy stepping out, many are literally losing thousands of dollars, as opposed to bettors in other states. In fact, if you bet enough, it might be incentive enough to move out of New Jersey. This lack of freedom is nothing short of highway robbery.

Similarly, is Freehold Raceway the only track in the nation that does not offer any rebate whatsoever to their racetrack guests?

The Governor of New Jersey just signed a bill into law that provides $100 million to New Jersey horse racing through 2029. This makes horse owners, track owners, breeders and workers who depend on horse racing for their livelihood, very happy.

But the New Jersey horseplayer, who is the horse racing customer, is still getting royally screwed. Let freedom ring, New Jersey.

Power to the punter.

by Gil Winston, for Harnesslink