As the November 8 vote on whether New Jersey residents want to expand casino gambling beyond Atlantic City, thus breaking the city’s four-decade monopoly over the state’s casino industry, is nearing, new groups of opponents have emerged attempting to convince New Jerseyans that this may prove to be a bad beat.
Two such groups went public on Friday – one based in Trenton and the other in Newark. Although details about the two groups are still quite scanty, it all shows that they both will be working actively in the months before the November 8 vote to inform people of the negative effects the proposed casino expansion may have.
The upcoming vote was the result from a prolonged battle between North Jersey politicians and their South Jersey counterparts. The first proposed the construction of two casino resorts in the state’s northern part in a bid to help New Jersey’s casino industry revive. Southern Jersey officials argued that such a move would have quite a negative effect on Atlantic City, which already has serious economic issues to cope with.
Eventually, a November 8 ballot question was approved by the state Legislature and it is now up to residents to decide whether they would like to see full-scale gambling venues outside the once-popular gaming resort.
A Trenton-based group of opponents, named Bad Bet, said in a Friday statement that its members represent North Jersey and it is their main goal to inform residents about how the proposed casino expansion may impact their quality of life and local economy. It seems that Bad Bet has gained support outside North Jersey as Bob McDevitt, President of the UNITE HERE Local 54 casino workers union, and Debra DiLorenzo, Chairwoman of No North Jersey Casinos, have joined the Trenton-based group’s efforts.
As for the other group, the Newark-based one, it said that it was comprised of concerned leaders, unions, and residents and that it has claimed support from all around the state. Group members are now focusing their efforts on presenting New Jerseyans with more specific information about the bad effects the casino expansion may have on taxpayers around the state.
Opponents of the proposed construction of two casino resorts in North Jersey have pointed out that it may result in further withdrawal of gambling customers from Atlantic City, due to the increased in-state competition.
According to proponents, however, the expansion would help the state keep gambling customers within its borders at a time when neighboring states are expanding their own casino industries.
Atlantic City casinos are currently taxed at 8% on gambling revenue. If new casinos open doors in North Jersey, they are believed to be imposed much higher levies to compensate for the competition they would represent to the popular gambling hub.
Although the expansion was expected to be welcomed by North Jersey residents, latest polls showed that only 35% of the people based in the region would vote in favor of the move.
