North Jersey casinos plan caught in Atlantic City’s predicament
Governor Christie declared that all the bickering regarding Atlantic City’s takeover has put the prospect of expanding gambling to North Jersey “in big trouble.”
US.- A compromise bill to delay a state takeover of Atlantic City infuriated Governor Christie, who said that it has put the prospect of expanding gambling to North Jersey “in big trouble.”
Christie used to support the plan to put two casinos in North Jersey, a proposal that state voters will decide on in November. However, amid the battle for control of Atlantic City, he said that if he didn’t get broad authority over the city’s finances he would campaign against casinos in the north. Christie blamed Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto and his Hudson County ally, Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop, for endangering that plan.
“I think the speaker and the mayor of Jersey City have effectively put [North Jersey casinos] at almost complete flatline,” Christie said. “They did it. Because what they did was they scared off all the people who thought New Jersey would be a hospitable place to engage in gaming in the northern part of the state when they saw the way they treated people in Atlantic City and conducted themselves.”
The November ballot question was approved by the state Senate and Assembly in March. It will ask voters to approve a constitutional amendment to allow casinos in North Jersey, ending Atlantic City’s 40-year monopoly on gambling houses. Under the amendment, a portion of revenue from the new casinos would be allocated to help Atlantic City. Christie made clear in the past that if Prieto blocked his favoured plan for a takeover of Atlantic City, he would pull his support for North Jersey casinos, which could bring US$2 billion in construction and hundreds of jobs to North Jersey.
Prieto’s response to Christie was: “I don’t have anything to say about the governor’s comments, other than I look forward to him signing my bill that gives Atlantic City an opportunity to succeed and North Jersey gaming — as has always been the case — will succeed or fail on its own merits with the voters.”
