John Forbes said the thoroughbred community has had a mixed reaction to the report on the state’s gaming, sports and entertainment industries presented by Gov. Chris Christie on Wednesday.

[Thinkstock photo]

However, the casino industry has opposed continuing payments to the racing industry.

Forbes said $17 million to $20 million of the $50 million in prize money this year is from the casinos, which have been paying the racing industry as part of a deal in which the racing industry wouldn’t lobby for slots or video lottery terminals at racetracks.

“We feel the casinos are obligated” to continue the payments, Forbes said.

With Christie now opposed to racetrack casinos, Forbes said the racing industry is owed more money from the casinos.

“Without an additional funding source, we would not be able to duplicate” the success of this season, Forbes said. He said betting is up 130 percent this year due to the improved races prompted by higher prizes this year, with attendance also increasing above expectations.

Forbes said the horsemen recognize the racing industry needs to be profitable in the state, but said the casinos have worked to destroy the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the racing industry.

“We don’t think it’s understandable that the sports authority and the racing industry be flushed” while the state aids casinos, he said. He said the industry did everything it could as its share of legalized gambling in the state fell from 81 percent to 2 percent. The efforts included Sunday racing, pioneering simulcasting at racetracks and expanding off-track betting.

A call to a casino industry spokesman requesting comment was not immediately returned.

E-mail Andrew Kitchenman at akitchenman@njbiz.com