New Jersey bill would expand casino gaming beyond Atlantic City
The proposal would allow casino gaming at Monmouth Park and Meadowlands racetracks.
US.- New Jersey senator Vin Gopal has introduced a bill that would allow casino games at the Monmouth Park and the Meadowlands racetracks. The proposal would expand gaming beyond Atlantic City, which is currently the only place in the state where slots and table games are legal.
The amendment to Bill SCR130 would require a constitutional ballot, asking voters whether the state should allow gaming at Meadowlands in East Rutherford and Monmouth Park in Oceanport.
The proposal states that at upong approval of the amendment, the legislature may pass a law prescribing the specific kind, restrictions, and control of operations of such casino games.
The State’s share of revenues derived from casino games at these two locations would go 45 per cent to funding for reductions in property taxes, 20 per cent to extraordinary special education aid, 10 per cent each to state pension systems, cost-of-living adjustments for retired state employees and to support Atlantic City tourism, and 5 per cent to running and harness horse racing.
The proposal comes as neighboring New York City looks to award three casino licences, which would provide new competition for New Jersey’s casinos. In April, New Jersey casino revenue totalled $536.6m, up 5 per cent year-over-year but down 1.7 per cent from March.
Revenue from igaming was $235.2m, up 25.2 per cent year-over-year and down 3.6 per cent from the previous month. Land-based casino revenue was $211m, a decrease of 2.7 per cent year-over-year. Slot machine revenue was $162.2m, up 2.1 per cent, and table games $48.8, down 16 per cent.
