On Monday, December 13, 2010, the New Jersey State Senate and Assembly approved legislation that tries to bolster horse racing and casino gambling revenues in the state by expanding various gambling authorities. One such expansion, for example, would be to permit racetracks and casinos to offer sports betting. Another would be to allow online sports betting on horse racing by out-of-state residents. Expanded off-track betting provisions will also be included.

The vote swung 36 to 3 in the Senate to put the question to voters about allowing sports betting, and 54 to 17 in the Assembly, with 4 absentions, to approve the proposal, which was included as part of a larger package of 7 bills.

If approved by the voters in November of 2011, SCR-132 will amend the New Jersey state Constitution to permit racetracks, casinos, and former racetracks to offer sports betting. The main advocate for the bill, democratic Senator Raymond J. Lesniak explained that the bill would not only sports betting on any amtaeur teams or sporting events. Lesniak filed a federal district court lawsuit to have a federal ban on sportsbetting in N.J. overturned, argument it violates no less than three constitutional amendments (the 5th, 10th and 14th).

Other related bills approved include A-1705, permitting entities besides the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority to offer off-track betting, which received final legislative approval, passing 72-1 and A-2926 to allow exchange wagering on both in-state and out-of-state horse races, which also received its final legislative approval, passing 74-1.