New Jersey Eyes Meadowlands, Monmouth Park Casinos to Combat Threat from New York

^{New Jersey Sen. Paul Sarlo has long been an advocate for gambling in the state and now sees a need to protect their position as a premier casino destination in the region. (Photo: Julio Cortez / AP)}

Two state senators are proposing an amendment to the New Jersey constitution that would allow for two casinos designed to fight back against the coming resorts in the New York City area.

State senators Paul Sarlo (D-Wood Ridge) and Vin Gopal (D-Tinton Falls) introduced the legislation on May 12, which would create a constitutional ballot question for voters to consider whether to allow two new casinos: one at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford, and another in Oceanport at the Monmouth Park Racetrack.

Casinos Would ‘Plant a Flag’ Against NYC Competition

The two lawmakers say that the constitutional amendment would be a direct response to the upcoming approval of three downstate casino licenses in New York. Gaming officials in the Empire State are expected to award those licenses by the end of 2025, and while casinos in Westchester County or Long Island are unlikely to impact New Jersey, a casino in New York City could be a threat to the nine resorts in Atlantic City.

“This plants a flag to send a message to New York State that if they open a casino in Manhattan, that New Jersey is ready to respond to the competition,” Sarlo said in a statement. “New Jersey isn’t going to let gambling dollars in northern New Jersey leave our state for a casino in Manhattan.

But while most gaming officials and lawmakers agree that New York City casinos are a threat to Atlantic City, there’s a wide range of opinion on how to deal with it. In 2016, New Jersey voters overwhelmingly rejected a ballot question that would have allowed for casinos outside of Atlantic City, and while sentiments have likely changed from then, it would take a massive shift to overcome the 77 percent of voters who rejected casino gambling expansion nine years ago.

Atlantic City Fears Cannibalization from Additional New Jersey Casinos

Even among those who support making a move against New York, there’s disagreement on how to fight back. Meadowlands Racetrack owner Jeffrey Gural believes the amendment might have a better chance if only his venue – which is located in North Jersey, just outside New York City – was included in the proposal.

“I think [people] don’t want a casino in their neighborhood,” Gural said, via northjersey.com. “I think people in southern New Jersey look at Monmouth as competition because it’s not that far from Atlantic City. But the Meadowlands would really be competing with the casinos in New York, not so much the casinos in Atlantic City.”

But at least some Atlantic City officials say that adding new casinos anywhere in the state is the wrong approach to a New York City threat.

“The voters of New Jersey have already made it abundantly clear: they don’t want North Jersey casinos,” Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman said in a statement. “The answer to New York’s casinos isn’t to unlock a floodgate for North Jersey casino proposals that cannibalize our own market while doing little to steer visitors away from New York. Yes, Atlantic City faces challenges, but it remains unique – with it’s iconic beaches, vibrant boardwalk, and establish casinos – that sets it apart from the Meadowlands or Monmouth Park.”

In order for a constitutional amendment to reach the ballot in New Jersey, it would require a three-fifths majority vote in both the state Assembly and Senate, or a simple majority in both houses for two consecutive years.