Sports betting could come to NJ strip mall through loophole

A Camden County strip mall could possibly see sports betting thanks to a loophole in the state legislation to bring sports wagering to New Jersey.
The law signed by Gov. Phil Murphy states that sports gambling can take place at New Jersey casinos, racetracks and any former tracks that were licensed for horse racing in the last 15 years. One such place that fits that description is Towne Place at Garden State Park in Cherry Hill.
The strip mall used to be the Garden State Park Racetrack, which closed in 2001.
Supporters of a plan to bring gambling to Towne Place say that they want to attract gamblers from the Philadelphia area without making them drive down to Atlantic City. And as Politico.com pointed out, the developers also have close ties to South Jersey political power broker George Norcross.
Although there is no sports book open just yet at the strip mall, some local residents tell News 12 New Jersey that they would not be opposed to it.
“I have no problem with sports betting at all. I think they should start off the way they are in those particular venues, casinos, etc. and see how it does,” says one local resident.
There are no immediate plans for sports betting at the mall. It would be subject to approval by local officials.