Developer: Deal near on sportsbook partner at former track in Camden

CAMDEN - A developer says it's close to a deal with a gambling company to operate a sportsbook at a former racetrack in southern New Jersey. 

The court filing this week is the latest chapter in a legal battle pitting developer Cherry Hill Towne Center Partners against an affiliate of the company that operated Garden State Park in Cherry Hill. 

Greenwood Racing says a 1999 document bars the developer from operating a sportsbook there and is fighting the plans in federal court. Greenwood operates the Parx casino and racetrack north of Philadelphia.  

The last races were run at Garden State Park in 2001. Under New Jersey law, casinos, racetracks and former racetracks can offer sports gambling.

Since sports gambling was legalized last year, New Jersey gamblers have wagered more than $3 billion.