Lawmakers spar over casino in North Jersey

Members of the New Jersey Assembly’s Tourism and Gaming Committee sharply disagree on whether casino construction should be permitted in North Jersey.

 

Even the discussion about a casino in North Jersey is hurting Atlantic City, said Assemblyman Chris A. Brown, R-Atlantic.

“Continuing this dialogue about a North Jersey casino scares away and deters private investment into Atlantic City,” he said during a hearing Thursday.

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Assemblyman Ralph Caputo, D-Essex, said he supports changing the state constitution to allow casinos beyond Atlantic City.

“I think investment has already been discouraged when you see a $2 billion project go down the tubes, the Revel,” he said, referring to one of the four casinos that closed this year. A fifth casino is expected to shut down next week.

Lawmakers do agree that stabilizing Atlantic City’s tax base and finances is mandatory before moving ahead with casinos in other parts of the state.

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