Residents of New Jersey seem to be divided as to whether casino gambling should be expanded outside Atlantic City. The city, which was once among the most popular gambling destinations in the world, has been holding the statewide casino gaming monopoly for more than four decades now.
According to a Rutgers-Eagleton poll, the full results of which are set to be published later today, 49% of the interviewed New Jersey residents believe that casinos should not be built outside Atlantic City and 44% expressed their support for the proposed expansion.
State lawmakers are to vote on a question to be put before voters at the November ballot later in March. Generally speaking, New Jersey residents will be asked whether two casino licenses for the operation of gambling venues in North Jersey should be issued. Jersey City and East Rutherford are the two locations that are most likely to host the two new casinos, if their construction gets the necessary support.
People aged 35 to 49 seem to be most supportive of the proposed changes in the state’s gambling regulations. About 51% of the interviewed New Jersey residents belonging to that group stated their approval for the potential casino industry expansion. Residents over the age of 65 expressed the lowest support. About 37% of those said that they would welcome such expansion.
The poll was conducted statewide from February 18-23. A total of 801 adults were interviewed about their opinion on the matter.
The results were not much different from polls conducted in previous years. Towards the end of 2014, another Rutgers poll pointed that 47% of the interviewed respondents were in favor of ending Atlantic City’s monopoly and 43% opposed the change.
Once-popular gambling destination, Atlantic City has seen its casino industry decline over the past years. Both revenue and tax contributions have been falling, which resulted in the city facing serious financial problems. Things got worse in 2014 when four gambling venues closed doors.
Many have said they believe the establishment of two casinos in North Jersey would worsen Atlantic City’s situation. Others have expressed hopes that this would actually help the struggling resort as it would receive a boost from the two new venues. In fact, 55% of the poll’s respondents answered that the proposed casino expansion would be good for Atlantic City, while 14% stated that it would hurt the city.
