A growing number of state leaders are calling for New Jersey to go “all in” on a new gambling complex at Meadowlands following a decline in Atlantic City’s casino revenues.
Senator Richard Codey (D) told NJ.com: “Let’s just put slot machines in at the Meadowlands and get it over with.”
Supporters claim that a casino at the Meadowlands Sports Complex in Bergen County would produce at least $350m annually in taxes. This would significantly boost New Jersey’s casino revenues, which in January were down $9.5m year on year.
Speaking to InterGaming Law about the topic earlier in 2014, David Rebuck, the director of New Jersey's Division of Gaming Enforcement, did not rule out the idea. He said: “Our goal is to ensure that the state is well positioned to compete regionally and nationally and act as a leader for future innovations in this regulated industry.”
He continued: “Our focus is to continue our efforts with other state and local agencies as we move forward to meet governor Christie’s five-year plan for Atlantic City.”
The Assembly gaming committee had approved a resolution in December to create a commission to study the idea of expanding gambling to Bergen County. However governor Christie believes the state should not consider the expansion until his plan to revitalise Atlantic City is complete in 2016.
It had been hoped that i-gaming would increase tax revenue from the casinos by $200m but the governor’s administration now only expects to gain $34m for the fiscal year ending June 30.
