South Jersey Officials Rally Against North Jersey Casino Push

A coalition of South Jersey lawmakers is drawing a line in the sand over casino expansion, telling Governor Mikie Sherrill and state legislators that our community's interests won't be sacrificed for gaming interests in the northern part of the state.

Thirty-four state lawmakers and three members of Congress representing our region have signed a letter opposing Senate Concurrent Resolution 31, legislation that would put casino expansion at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks before voters this November.

The debate isn't new to New Jersey residents. We already settled this question decisively in 2016, when voters rejected a similar proposal by a staggering 77-23% margin. Even voters in Bergen County, home to the Meadowlands, voted against it 73-27%, while Monmouth County residents opposed it 78-22%.

What's Behind the Renewed Push?

The casino expansion conversation has resurfaced following New York's recent licensing of three casino resorts in New York City. Properties planned for the Bronx and Queens have raised concerns about potential impacts on Atlantic City's gaming revenue, which has long depended on visitors from North Jersey and downstate New York.

State Senator Joe Pennacchio, a Republican from Morris County, introduced SCR31 in January alongside Senators Joseph Cryan and Declan O'Scanlon Jr. The legislation proposes allocating 30% of tax revenue from any new racetrack casinos to existing Atlantic City casinos, with another 7% dedicated to recovery and improvement programs for our shore city.

However, the bill hasn't gained traction, remaining stalled in the Senate State Government, Wagering, Tourism & Historic Preservation Committee since its introduction.

Community Leaders Take a Stand

Our elected officials aren't mincing words about where they stand. In their letter to Governor Sherrill and the Legislature, they argued that lawmakers should be addressing the real challenges facing New Jersey families rather than catering to gaming industry interests.

"New Jersey has serious challenges and our time as elected officials would be better spent focusing on issues that matter to the people we represent, not well heeled special interests who want to expand gaming in defiance of the clear will of Monmouth and Bergen County voters," the letter stated, according to reporting by the New Jersey Globe.

The signers went further, pledging to actively fight any attempt to bring the measure to a vote. "We are not just 'no' votes, but 'hell no' to expanded gaming in New Jersey," they wrote, promising to defeat such efforts both in Trenton and at the ballot box if necessary.

What This Means for Atlantic City

The question of how New York City's new casinos—Bally's Bronx at Ferry Point Park, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park at Willets Point, and an expanded Resorts World NYC near JFK International—will affect our local gaming industry remains uncertain.

While Atlantic City has historically drawn heavily from North Jersey and downstate New York, the locations of these new properties in Queens and the Bronx may not pose as significant a threat as some fear. These boroughs aren't exactly convenient destinations for North Jersey residents or those from lower Upstate New York who currently make the trip to our shore.

Additionally, New York already offers numerous gaming options, including four upstate casinos, tribal casinos, video lottery terminals at various locations, and legal online sports betting throughout the state.

For now, our South Jersey lawmakers are making it clear: the will of the voters has already been heard, and they intend to keep it that way. Atlantic City's future, they argue, should be secured through smart policy and investment in our community—not by spreading casinos across the state.