Hopes for casino expansion in the northern part of New Jersey may be revived after the state’s gubernatorial candidates of the two major parties said during a final debate on Thursday that they would support the move. GOP candidate Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and Democratic Nominee Phil Murphy will be contending for the post of New Jersey’s highest ranking official on November 7.
Mr. Murphy voiced outright support for the potential expansion of New Jersey’s casino industry beyond Atlantic City. On the other hand, Lt. Gov. Guadagno said that the state will first have to wait until Atlantic City is stabilized from its financial predicament before the casino expansion question is put on a ballot once again.
New Jersey voters were given the chance to cast their votes on whether they supported the construction of two casinos in North Jersey last November. The proposal was rejected almost overwhelmingly.
Campaigners spent more than $20 million on lobbying efforts in support of and against the measure, which made the casino expansion ballot question the most expensive one in New Jersey’s history.
Florida-based casino operator Hard Rock International expressed interest in building a casino in North Jersey. The company mulled partnership with New York real estate developer Jeff Gural, who owns the Meadowlands Racetrack in the northern portion of New Jersey. Hard Rock eventually secured entry into the state’s casino market by purchasing the shuttered Trump Taj Mahal casino resort this spring. However, sources believe that the major developer has not given up hope of building a rock-themed resort in North Jersey.
When Can the Casino Expansion Question Be Returned to the Ballot?
Under New Jersey’s law, a constitutional amendment that had previously been rejected can be voted on again no earlier than two years after the initial vote. In other words, voters will be able to cast their votes on the potential expansion of casino gambling outside Atlantic City next November at the earliest.
If the expansion is approved, it will put an end to Atlantic City’s long-standing monopoly over casino gambling in the state. Opponents of the move have argued that if casino properties open doors in North Jersey, they would cannibalize revenue from the city’s existing venues.
Supporters on the other hand have pointed out that two new casinos would generate new jobs for residents and would prevent the loss of patrons and gambling revenue to gambling venues in neighboring states.
During Thursday’s debate, both Lt. Gov. Guadagno and Mr. Murphy said that the North Jersey casino expansion would be a major job creator and that the two new casinos could help Atlantic City in its revitalization effort by contributing portions of their revenue to the city.
However, while Mr. Murphy seemed confident that the state should consider the matter at the earliest opportunity, his rival said that a move of this kind should only be discussed after there are clear signs that Atlantic City is on the right path to revival.
