The development of a casino in northern New Jersey is up for debate by the US state’s Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee.
This is a move likely to be supported by the Meadowlands racetrack and criticised by Atlantic City. The bill would create a state casino gaming study commission that would evaluate the potential for a casino outside Atlantic City, specifically in Bergen County.
Bergen County is home to the Meadowlands, which has long wanted expanded gaming. Meadowlands chairman Jeff Gural said last year that a casino there could generate $350m a year in revenue for the state.
Others who are apparently supporting the idea are state Senators Richard Codey and Raymond Lesniak, saying a casino upstate could plug the loss of casinos heading to New York as gaming expands there. Bergen County is the state’s most populous county and considered part of New York City’s metropolitan area.
In opposition would be Atlantic City casinos and South Jersey legislators, who argue adding a casino upstate would further hurt the already struggling AC gaming market. Governor Chris Christie has also opposed gaming outside AC, putting in place a five-year plan to help the city recover.
