(TRENTON) – Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Chairman Ruben J. Ramos, Jr. on Thursday announced his committee will hold a July 19 hearing to discuss the prospect of bringing casino gaming to the Meadowlands.
The Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee will meet on Thursday, July 19, 2012 at noon in the Hambletonian Room at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford. The committee will hear testimony from invited speakers on the prospect of gaming at the Meadowlands.
“We need to at least discuss the potential for casino-style gaming in North Jersey and its potential to create jobs and economic growth and position New Jersey’s gaming industry to better compete against other states,” said Ramos (D-Hudson). “Ignoring the fact the out-of-state competition exists is foolhardy. Expanding gaming options to the Meadowlands could strengthen New Jersey against that competition that has already lured customers away. Any option to bring additional revenue and create jobs deserves careful consideration, and this is where the discussion starts.”
“The reality is that Atlantic City is losing many of its North Jersey customers to newly-opened casinos in Pennsylvania and New York,” said Assemblyman Ralph Caputo (D-Essex), a member of the panel and longtime advocate of expanding gaming to North Jersey. “We ignore that fact at own peril. Pennsylvania recently surpassed New Jersey to become the second-largest casino market in the country behind Las Vegas. Bringing gaming to the Meadowlands can help us reclaim the market and bring back much-needed revenue to New Jersey. Starting this discussion is common sense.”
No bills will be considered at the hearing, but Caputo is sponsoring legislation (ACR53) asking voters whether to amend the state Constitution to allow the establishment and operation of casinos in Bergen County.
