Freehold Raceway, located in Monmouth County, is the oldest racetrack in the United States, with horse racing taking place informally there since the 1830s.

Horse racing has also had a significant impact on gambling in New Jersey. However, lotteries were eventually banned in the state in 1844 due to concerns about corruption and abuse. In the early days of New Jersey’s history, lotteries were prevalent and played a role in funding the construction of Queen’s College (now Rutgers University) and the College of New Jersey (now Princeton University). Gambling has a long history in New Jersey, with the state historically being more lenient towards gambling activities than other states.

The College of New Jersey – Founded on this day in 1855 as the New Jersey State Normal School