The Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, New Jersey, is buzzing as it prepares to host the 100th Hambletonian, harness racing’s most prestigious event, on August 2. Yet beyond the historic celebrations, a pressing reality looms — the decline of horse racing and the urgent need for reinvention.
Despite the frenzied energy in the paddock — horses clattering over concrete, trainers fitting harnesses, and sulkies rolling by — the grandstand, home to the FanDuel Sportsbook, tells a quieter story. Most wagering today takes place online, not in the stands. In fact, 96% of New Jersey’s $12.7 billion in sports wagers were placed via mobile or web apps in 2024, making physical attendance less essential to the bottom line.
Owner Jeffrey Gural acknowledges this shift. “People still come for fun,” he said, referencing themed events like wine festivals and the quirky Corgi Cup, but concedes the track’s future may depend on something far bigger — a casino.
Horse Racing in Decline
Horse racing was once among America’s most beloved sports, but the numbers paint a different picture now. The number of thoroughbred races has dropped from 71,000 in 1988 to under 31,000 in 2024, according to The Jockey Club. New Jersey’s Freehold Raceway shut down in 2024, leaving just two active racetracks, both reliant on $20 million in annual state subsidies.
“Without state support, they couldn’t survive,” Gural admits. Attendance at the Meadowlands has also dwindled. Even with the $100 million grandstand built in 2013, crowds are thin outside marquee events like the Hambletonian, which may draw 15,000 to 20,000 fans this year.
Betting on a Racino Future
Looking ahead, Gural is betting on transforming the Meadowlands into a “racino” — a racetrack with a casino. He sees this as a strategic move, especially with New York City poised to approve new casinos, possibly in Hudson Yards or Queens.
“Why would people fight traffic to lose money in NYC,” he said, “when they could come here instead?”
While legislation is still pending, a constitutional amendment could be on New Jersey’s ballot by 2026, asking voters whether to allow casinos at racetracks. A Meadowlands casino could cost up to $2 billion and would require a partnership with an established gaming operator. It would also need to offer luxury amenities to compete with both Atlantic City and online platforms — think indoor pools, premium shows, restaurants, and even niche bets on slapfighting.
In the meantime, the racetrack stays true to its roots with the Hambletonian, often dubbed the “Super Bowl of harness racing.” First held at the Meadowlands in 1981, the event’s popularity once drew crowds over 30,000. John Campbell, six-time Hambletonian winner and president of the Hambletonian Society, still considers it the sport’s pinnacle.
Yet even the legacy of a century-old race must now share space with slot machines, sportsbook apps, and casino dreams.
As the Meadowlands straddles its storied past and uncertain future, one thing is clear — if it hopes to remain relevant in a rapidly shifting gambling world, innovation is no longer optional.
