N.J. officials ponder expanding casinos beyond Atlantic City
Notice: Undefined variable: article_ad_placement3 in /usr/web/cs-washington.ogdennews.com/wp-content/themes/News_Core_2023_WashCluster/single.php on line 128
ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — With proposals to expand casino gambling to other parts of New Jersey gaining momentum, Atlantic City has two choices. It can fight to try to keep it from happening, or extract the most concessions it can from new, in-state competitors.
It’s a question the city and its political and business supporters need to answer soon. Two bills that would ask voters whether to amend the state constitution to expand gambling beyond Atlantic City have been proposed.
Mayor Don Guardian says a fight is needed to keep the city’s in-state gambling monopoly. Tropicana President Tony Rodio says it would be unfair to let companies who haven’t invested a dime in New Jersey reap the benefits of a casino just outside New York City.
Sen. Jim Whelan believes casinos outside Atlantic City are inevitable. He says the city should get the best deal it can from its new competitors.