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There’s a bipartisan effort in New Jersey against the idea of placing casinos outside of Atlantic City.
State Sens. Vin Gopal (D-Long Branch) and Paul Sarlo (D-Wood-Ridge) introduced legislation earlier this year that would allow gambling properties at racetracks in Monmouth Park and Bergen County.
Reps. Donald Norcross (D-Camden), Jeff Van Drew (R-Dennis), and Herb Conaway (D-Delran) are leading the charge against that idea, believing that more investment in Atlantic City casinos is the better way to go.
The three recently wrote a letter to Gov. Mikie Sherrill highlighting their stance.
All in on Atlantic City
After three New York City casinos were approved late last year, New Jersey leaders became concerned. They knew that Atlantic City casinos depend on New Yorkers taking the trip south to relax and gamble.
One group led by Gopal and Sarlo think the best way to combat the expected lost revenue from New Yorkers staying in the city to gamble would be to add casinos in Northern New Jersey.
Norcross, Van Drew, and Conaway disagree. In their letter to the governor, reported by New Jersey Globe, the trio thinks a better solution would be to enhance Atlantic City.
“There can be no doubt there’s been neglect of the type of investment the city and its residents need and deserve. We look forward to working with all of you to develop a comprehensive plan to make Atlantic City the destination we all know it can be.”
The letter to Sherrill was signed by 34 other state legislators.
One confirmed ‘hell no’
The lawmakers say they are adamantly opposed to casino expansion outside Atlantic City.
“We hope that the threatened legislation does not come to a vote. If it does, we will work to defeat it in Trenton and at ballot boxes, just as we did the last time this bad idea was put to a vote a decade ago. We are not just ‘no’ votes, but ‘hell no’ to expanded gaming in New Jersey.”
One of the signees, Assemblyman Cody Miller, followed that up with a tweet on X:
“Two words – hell no. Atlantic County is part of my district – I’m fighting for those workers and our economy. We’ve already rejected this once. It puts South Jersey jobs at risk and pulls investment away from Atlantic City. Glad to see bipartisan pushback.”
The situation in New York puts a cloud over the retail gambling in New Jersey. How the state responds will tell if there will be sunny days ahead.
