Cash-starved New Jersey will study whether putting video lottery terminals at the Meadowlands Racetrack can raise hundreds of millions of dollars without hurting Atlantic City casinos.

Sen. Paul Sarlo said New Jersey has little choice but to put the machines at the North Jersey sports complex as nearby states expand and add gambling.

"I don't want New Jersey to remain at a disadvantage to our neighboring states because the money is going somewhere fast,'' said Sarlo.

Sarlo and Sen. Joseph Coniglio, both D-Bergen, estimate that putting video lottery
terminals … electronic gambling games that can simulate casino games such as poker and slot machines … at the Meadowlands could generate $300 million per year to help ease chronic budget woes.

State Treasurer Bradley Abelow said he didn't know if those numbers were realistic, but Treasury spokesman Tom Vincz said the department will hire a consultant to do a comprehensive study of how the terminals, if legalized, would impact the state.

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