Legislators in New Jersey have put forth a new bill that could pave the way for the establishment of casinos at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks. This proposal has reignited a politically charged discussion as New York advances its plans for three additional casinos in New York City.
The initiative, spearheaded by Democratic state senators Vin Gopal and Paul Sarlo, may lead to a public referendum as soon as November. Since the State Constitution prohibits casino gambling outside of Atlantic City, any expansion would necessitate voter approval.
The urgency of this proposal stems from concerns that gambling activities and tax revenues could migrate to New York once the new casinos open across the river. This potential loss has motivated the owners of the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks to urge state officials to support a new legalization effort in northern New Jersey, despite a similar proposal being decisively rejected by voters in 2016.
Proponents of the bill argue that both racetracks are sensible choices for casino operations, given that they already host sports betting and horse racing. Gopal emphasized that New Jersey should not allow New York to attract its gamblers without considering a counter-response.
In his argument, he highlighted that gambling is already occurring at these venues. “We’re already doing sports betting on site, we’re already betting on horse racing on site,” Gopal stated in a report by The New York Times. “Gambling is already happening. How is this any different?”
The legislation also aims to alleviate opposition from southern New Jersey by designating at least 10% of tax revenue from any new casinos to support tourism in Atlantic City. Political leaders from South Jersey, who have historically defended Atlantic City’s casino sector, have already expressed their resistance.
Michael Suleiman, chair of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee, described the New York casino expansion as an “impending meteor,” but affirmed that regional leaders would continue to oppose any efforts to authorize casinos in Monmouth and Bergen Counties. “We will have to defeat it,” Suleiman remarked.
Several casinos in the area closed down about ten years ago, and the nine remaining establishments have had to contend with newer gambling options in neighboring states. Governor Mikie Sherrill has also prioritized the revitalization of Atlantic City during her administration.
Former Governor Chris Christie, who supported the unsuccessful 2016 expansion attempt, remarked that the public delivered a clear message through their vote. He noted that nothing in the past decade indicates a significant change in public interest for casinos outside of Atlantic City, and he believes that New York’s expansion is unlikely to severely impact the seaside resort’s standing.
Nevertheless, developers are striving to garner support. Jeff Gural, managing partner of the group owning the Meadowlands, stated that their goal would be to collaborate with Atlantic City casino operators if the initiative progresses. “Our plan is to sit with the Atlantic City casino industry and devise a strategy to safeguard their interests,” Gural explained.
Gural also suggested that New Jersey might adopt a licensing framework similar to that of New York, where successful bidders are required to pay a minimum of $500 million upfront. He argued that the most significant competitive pressure from new casinos in North Jersey would likely affect the upcoming New York properties rather than Atlantic City, which he views as a distinct destination market.
Assembly Democratic Majority Leader Louis Greenwald acknowledged that the proposal merits discussion but indicated that lawmakers require more detailed information before taking a stance, including projected revenues and the overall plan structure.
A source familiar with the private discussions revealed that the administration is contemplating the proposal without making a definitive endorsement or rejection, according to The New York Times. Senator Gopal noted that conversations with the governor’s chief of staff, Alex Ball, have been productive, but he recognized that the administration would need time for thorough evaluation before deciding whether to support the bill.