Sports betting still on hold at Monmouth Park

The wait continues for Monmouth Park.

The Supreme Court of the United States did not issue a decision Tuesday morning on New Jersey’s case seeking to legalize sports wagering in the state, thus extending the seven-year legal battle Monmouth Park has helped fight.

The Supreme Court released one decision Tuesday, and will not release any more this week. The next possible day for a decision is Monday.

With New Jersey voters having overwhelmingly voted down a referendum that would have expanded casino gaming outside Atlantic City in November 2016, sports betting is viewed as a much-needed alternative revenue stream for Monmouth Park.

The track has struggled to maintain the quality of its racing product amid increased competition from tracks in neighboring states, which receive money from associated casino operations to supplement purses and operations.

While Monmouth Park officials are reluctant to put a dollar figure on their expected share of the annual sports betting windfall, the number has been estimated at upward of $50 million annually, with the track to split the proceeds with William Hill, having partnered with the British betting company on sports wagering.

Monmouth Park has been leased from the state by the New Jersey Thoroughbred Horsemen’s Association since 2012, when former Gov. Chris Christie privatized the horse racing industry and eliminated annual subsidies from Atlantic City casinos that were used to supplement purses, in exchange for racetracks not pursuing slot machines.

The track has used $1 million it received for a two-year sponsorship of the Haskell Invitational from William Hill to convert an existing area into the William Hill Sports Bar, which could be quickly converted into a sports book. The track recently expanded the area.

The racing meet at Monmouth Park is set to open on May 5, Kentucky Derby Day.

Stephen Edelson is an Asbury Park Press columnist: sedelson@gannettnj.com; @SteveEdelsonAPP