TRENTON, N.J. (CN) - A New Jersey appeals court has revived a challenge by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen's Association over the New Jersey Racing Commission's plans to distribute out-of-state gambling money among race applicants.
The "Casino Simulcasting Special Fund" was established by the Casino Simulcasting Act, which authorizes casinos in Atlantic City to accept wagers on and receive live transmissions of horse races occurring in New Jersey and elsewhere. The racing commission must deposit a portion of the wagers into the special fund. Horsemen's associations and racetracks then jockey for shares of the surplus.
Though the plaintiff requested one-fifth of the total amount, or about $364,000, the racing commission awarded it only $95,000.
Reversing a ruling for the commission, the appeals court ruled that the vote to distribute funds was based on private discussions in violation of the Open Public Meetings Act. See ruling.
Read the Top 8
Sign up for the Top 8, a roundup of the day's top stories delivered directly to your inbox Monday through Friday.
