This Tuesday, you’ll have the opportunity to vote on a ballot question that has overwhelming bipartisan support and will clear the path to making New Jersey the 5th state in the country to allow sports betting. According to the American Gaming Association, in 2010, $2.76 billion was legally wagered in Nevada’s sports books. In addition, the National Gambling Impact Study Commission estimated that illegal wagers are as much as $380 billion annually. Without a doubt, sports-betting is a multi-billion dollar industry, and, currently, only four states are allowed by federal law to benefit from legal sports wagering. Voting “Yes” on Ballot Question 1 is the first step towards adding New Jersey to this list, and generating tax dollars for our State budget, creating jobs for New Jerseyans and breathing new life into our ailing gaming industry.
Currently, federal law permits sports betting in Nevada, Delaware, Oregon and Montana. As your Assemblyman, I sponsored legislation (ACR167) to amend our State’s Constitution to allow New Jersey to implement sports gaming at Atlantic City casinos and horse racing tracks in the state. This legislation passed overwhelmingly, with bipartisan support. Now it is up to the people of New Jersey to send a message to Washington D.C. that we want our State to reap the benefits of sport betting by voting in favor of Ballot Question 1. That way, when our voices are heard and federal law is amended, New Jersey will be ready to take advantage of the benefits that sports betting will bring to its economy.
Under the ballot proposal, bets could be placed at a casino or racetrack site on the results of professional, college or amateur sport or athletic events, except on college games that take place in New Jersey or in which a New Jersey college team participates. Illegal internet gambling sites and bookies are already profiting from illegal sports betting. By legalizing the gaming practice in New Jersey, we would produce additional tax revenue for the state, and set Atlantic City apart from competing casinos in neighboring states. Our racetracks and casinos are fighting an unfair fight against the competition and with your support; we’ll be leveling the playing field.
On Tuesday, November 8th, I’m urging all residents to vote YES on Ballot Question 1 and vote the Column A ticket. I look forward to your support.
Very Truly Yours,
Ruben J. Ramos, Jr.
Assemblyman, 33rd District
davidd
7:14 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Ruben is betting people won't realize his allies are manufacturing crisis in Hoboken for his political gain...
Redrider765
7:38 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Well not like he cares about anything but the gravy train. He wants to "get what's his" just like his cronies.
Richard England
11:52 pm on Thursday, November 3, 2011
Sports betting is part of the American social network. The State of New Jersey has taken steps to realize revenues from "numbers" and "horse racing", so why not the rest of sports betting. Football, Basketball and Baseball have all had a history, in this State, of being the focus of wagering. Why not have the State share in what has heretofore be illegal betting?
friendly fire
12:13 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
I agree with Dick.
HobokenReformer
7:50 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
What a loser! Here in Hoboken, his friends of the rogue City Council minority are coming within a hair of ruining the city on a weekly basis, but he couldn't be bothered getting involved in that for the benefit of the citizens and taxpayers. Instead, he wastes his time on gambling. What an utter fool! And we are paying for his lavish lifestyle...
People, wake up and vote hm and his cronies out on November 8!
Redrider765
8:43 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
This man could care less about Hoboken. His silence on the real world problems his town faces every time the 4 clowns do something stupid is deafening. Time to remove him.
blenny
8:51 am on Friday, November 4, 2011
Do what you want with the sports betting question, it means more income for the state but at the expense of residents who should likely be paying bills or saving. But please, vote Ramos out of office! Hoboken residents, and the others Ramos 'represents' have had far more than our share of corrupt and greedy politicians. Enough!!!
Khoboken
8:27 am on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Ah, the incompetent, teat sucking double dipping Ramos shows up. Nothing to do with the hospital , as he never did a damn thing to assist in the matter. Schmuck. Some lame ass betting bill where I am sure Momma is feverishly figuring out how to get a 100k no show job like the one she had at City Hall.
InfotainMe
9:30 am on Saturday, November 5, 2011
Ramos forgot to add the Paid Political Advertisement language. Because there is no chance in hell that this isn't a paid political advertisement.
Who paid this time, Ruben?