New Jersey state's legislature on Monday approved ballot in November to decide the expansion of casino in northern part of the state. If voters approved, the new location will be built 72 miles of Atlantic City.
Currently Atlantic City is the only gambling hub in New Jersey, and the state is looking to expand gambling resort to other part of New Jersey. However, since either state's legislature and governor do not have the right to approve the plan, referendum will be held to decide the expansion plan.
NJ.com reported that people in New Jersey are split on two key issues regarding Atlantic City. The first issue is whether the state should step in and help stabilize the financially ailing city. While the second issue is whether casino gambling should be expanded to the northern part of the state.
Based on survey from Rutgers-Eagleton released on Wednesday, 51% of residents believe the state should interfere to help Atlantic City, while 44% said the state of New Jersey should take more control. The result showed a reverse from earlier survey in February, in which residents strongly agreed for the state to take control of casino operation.
According to assistant director of the Rutgers-Eagleton poll Ashley Koning, "A number of New Jerseyans see both sides here, but public opinion is ultimately against the takeover legislation proposed by Gov. Christie and state Senate President Sweeney," she said regarding the survey.
"Whether this is due to residents' issue with a state takeover of any kind or ever-fading hopes of a bright future for Atlantic City, it seems that the resort town is no longer treasured by New Jerseyans as it was decades ago," miss Koning added.
Bloomberg reported that if voters approve the expansion, the lawmakers will authorize construction in two counties on properties at least 72 miles from Atlantic City
Although new location is not specified, but two highly possible ones are Meadowlands sports complex in East Rutherford, and the other one in Jersey City. Meadowlands sports complex are the home of two football team Jets and Giants.
Meadowlands was one of a preferred location as CBS New York reported, that last year a proposal to build a casino was revealed. The casino will have retail stores, rock and roll museum, 200 card tables and around 5,000 slot machines.
New Jersey Assemblyman Ralph Caputo from Essex Country are delighted with the ballot, "This is a very historic day for New Jersey," he said.
"In 1976, casinos were approved for Atlantic City. It was a monopoly that existed for many, many years; many people benefited. But conditions change, and when conditions change and you don't adapt, you become a dinosaur and you become extinct."
The decision is now in the voters hand, to approve the expansion of casino in New Jersey beyond Atlantic City. A referendum will be held in November as states legislature on Monday approved the ballot plan.
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