In response to New York recently issuing three downstate casino licenses, New Jersey legislators are now considering a casino for the northern and central parts of the state.
The Garden State’s nine casinos are all located in Atlantic City in the southern part of the New Jersey.
Sen. Joe Pennacchio (R) has been one of those pushing for a northern casino. His district borders New York, and he hopes to keep significant casino revenue in New Jersey.
“New York is charging ahead with three new casinos while New Jersey sits on its hands and watches our gaming revenue drift across the river,” he said in a statement earlier this month. “It’s unacceptable. A Meadowlands racino would be an immediate economic engine for our state, yet leaders refuse to act. I’m renewing my call for racinos because New Jersey can’t afford to keep falling behind while our neighbors eat our lunch.”
Momentum For Casinos Could Build After World Cup
Along with the Meadowlands racetrack, some legislators have called for packaging a casino as part of a plan for a $2.1 billion convention center near the American Dream Mall, according to the Bergen Record.
Sen. Paul Sarlo (D) favors allowing casinos in both northern Jersey as well as in the central portion of the state. He looks to move forward with legislation after the World Cup concludes next year. MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford will host several games in June and July.
“After we leave the world stage when the FIFA World Cup exits New Jersey, our next focus should be constructing a world-class convention center and casino at the Meadowlands and gaming at the Monmouth Racetrack,” Sarlo said.
Monmouth is located further south in Oceanport. Casino executives in the state have expressed concerns about not only seeing New Yorkers gamble more closely to home, but also seeing gamblers in north and central Jersey head to the Empire State when the casinos open.
Going forward with new casinos at the two racetracks would require voters to approve a constitutional amendment. To get that on the ballot, the issue requires a supermajority in the Senate and Assembly, or approval by just a majority twice in both chambers. The amendment would then allow legislators to pass a bill authorizing the two casinos.
Legislators put forward a plan earlier this year. In 2016, voters rejected a referendum to build a casino in northern New Jersey.
