Pro-Casino Advocates To Gather At Tourism Conference Friday

Several state politicians advocating for casinos to expand to the northern part of the state will gather at a conference Friday to discuss why residents should approve the statewide gaming referendum Nov. 8.

Sponsors of the New Jersey Casino Expansion Amendment to the state Constitution, Senator Paul Sarlo (District 36) and Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (District 28) will be joined by Assembly Speaker Vince Prieto (District 28), Assemblyman Anthony Bucco (District 25), and Senator Joe Kyrillos (District 13) will discuss why they think a 'yes' vote makes the most sense for their constituents.

Jeff Gural, owner of the Meadowlands Racetrack, will also speak at the mDest conference.

The conference comes at a time when support for casino expansion outside of Atlantic City is low.

About one-third of people who responded to a Rutgers poll recently approve of the amendment, while nearly two-thirds, 58 percent, disapprove. Only 40 percent of respondents said that gambling should be permitted somewhere other than Atlantic City.

• Related: Voter Support For North Jersey Casinos Dwindling, Poll Results Show

The Meadowlands Racetrack, Jersey City, Newark, and the American Dream Meadowlands have all been discussed as possible landing spots. Residents and politicians on both sides of the issue have worked to get people to vote for their side of the issue.

Although the pro-casino campaign OurTurn NJ have essentially ended its campaign, anti-casino groups like Trenton's Bad Bet continue to rack up the endorsements and send out emailings and mailings advocating for their side of the issue.

• Related: New Group Launches Campaign To Oppose North Jersey Casinos

Former Casino Control Commission Chairman Steven P. Perskie endorsed Trenton's Bad Bet Tuesday, saying casino expansion to the north would "devastate" New Jersey's economy by increasing home foreclosures and losing "tens of thousands" of jobs.

Perski authored the 1976 Constitutional amendment that brought casinos to New Jersey.

“As someone who played an integral part in the New Jersey casino industry from its inception, I know how detrimental casino expansion in North Jersey would be for the state,” Perskie added. “I am voting to protect the New Jersey taxpayers and voting 'no.'"

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