(TRENTON) – Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Essex) has been appointed chairman of the Assembly Tourism & Gaming Committee.
Speaker Vincent Prieto cited Caputo’s advocacy for New Jersey’s gaming industry and extensive experience in the casino industry in naming him committee chair.
“Assemblyman Caputo has been at the forefront of legislation to protect and boost our gaming industry, which has taken a hit as neighboring states replicate what we first brought to the East Coast,” said Prieto (D-Bergen/Hudson). “I am confident that as chair, he will steer this committee in a direction that will help New Jersey’s gaming industry better meet the challenges of today and thrive.”
“I am honored to serve in the Assembly’s Tourism & Gaming Committee. I have 20 years experience as a casino executive, and I look forward to putting that experience to work and using what I have learned to help me make the right decisions for the state and the industry,” said Caputo.
“New Jersey’s casino and gaming industry has been affected by growing competition in neighboring states, but not defeated,” added Caputo. “This is an industry that employs thousands of our residents and is important to the economic well-being of our state and the municipalities that host them. As we move forward, we should look to advances in the industry to make ourselves more competitive. There is much work to do, but I am optimistic and ready to work with my fellow committee members to bring forth policies and ideas to strengthen our place as an industry leader.”
The Assembly Tourism & Gaming Committee is responsible for monitoring issues that affect casinos and the tourism industry.