Voter Support For North Jersey Casinos Dwindling, Poll Results Show

Voters are increasingly against bringing casinos to North Jersey, based on the latest results from a statewide poll show.

Just 35 percent of respondents approve the amendment that will be placed on the ballot in November, while 58 percent disapprove, the results of a poll from the Rutgers Eagleton Center for Interest Polling show, a four point decrease from the last poll taken.

Only 40 percent of respondents agree that gambling should be permitted somewhere other than Atlantic City, poll results show.

Half of respondents agreed that gambling should be limited to Atlantic City, a one point increase.

“Eagleton has been polling on permitting gambling in other parts of the state since 1979, and New Jerseyans across a number of demographics have never warmed to the idea,” said Koning. “If this pattern continues, there is little hope for the ballot amendment passing.”

Politicians are championing bringing at least one casino to North Jersey as a way of fixing the state's Transportation Trust Fund and increasing tourism to the Garden State. Voters must approve the constitutional amendment presented to them in November to end the monopoly Atlantic City has had on casinos and gambling since the 1970s.

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.

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