NJ Would Build Casinos Outside Atlantic City In New Proposal

A new proposal would allow casinos to be built outside of Atlantic City.

The proposed amendment by Sen. Vin Gopal (D-11) and Sen. Paul A. Sarlo (D-36) would allow for casinos at the Monmouth Park Racetrack and Meadowlands Racetrack. It would require voter approval.

“Expanding high quality casinos to our horse racing facilities is a major step forward for New Jersey,” Gopal told PIX11 News.

The bill was introduced earlier this year, though it's been floated for a while. And the concept of expanding casinos into North Jersey has been around for a long time.

The argument is that with new casinos coming to New York City, having more spread out through New Jersey will help keep that revenue in state.

But it's been met with opposition from South Jersey politicians, who prefer that casinos stay in Atlantic City only.

“Expanding casino gaming to North Jersey will do nothing to increase gaming revenues statewide and will only move them from Atlantic City elsewhere,” said Assemblyman Don Guardian (R-2). “Our focus has been to make Atlantic City a worldwide destination for both gaming and non-gaming tourism. We need to continue to work on the infrastructure of the city to not only keep our current visitors but attract new ones.”

Previous attempts to expand casinos to North Jersey have failed. A voter referendum failed in 2016.

The bill has been introduced in the Senate. It has not yet been scheduled for discussion.