North Jersey casinos opponents have two new allies

Oceanport Mayor Jay Coffey and Borough Council President Joe Irace have decided to join the fight against the prospect of two new casinos located in the North Jersey area.

US.- Opponents of the campaign to see two casinos created in North Jersey now have got themselves two new allies. Oceanport Mayor Jay Coffey and Borough Council President Joe Irace have decided to join the fight against the prospect of two new casinos placed in an area other than Atlantic City.

A question will be placed on the ballot this November that would see the venues created, with opponents and proponents of the option coming out in full force as voting draws near. Now, Oceanport is home to the Monmouth Park Racetrack, which would be affected by new casinos if they were allowed to be created nearby.

Recently Coffey and Irace came out in support of the opposition to the referendum. Coffey commented that Trenton continues to keep the public in the dark and expects voters to support a measure that would fail to help the residents as well as industries they claim to help. Coffey believes the expansion would only be of benefit to a small group of the well-connected New York developers instead of the citizens who reside in New Jersey.

On his part, Irace is convinced that the casinos would be a threat to the horse racing venue of Monmouth. According to Irace, the proposed expansion of casinos is a ‘sweetheart deal for developers’ who want to focus on North Jersey at the expense of the Monmouth County horse racing industry. Irace added that Trenton has repeatedly relied on the bait and switch tactic to reach goals but voters will not be fooled by such tactics and will be voting no on question one this November.

The bill does not have a set place where the casino will be located although it does specify how far venues must be from Atlantic City. Jersey City and the Meadowlands have been considered contenders from the very beginning. Real estate developer Jeff Gural is interested in creating a new casino at the Meadowlands, creating a pro-casino group as well as holding a position as chairman of the Meadowlands Racetrack.