North Jersey Casino Gambling Campaign Might be a Bust

A referendum to expand the casino gambling in North Jersey seems to have taken a turn that might end up disappointing the citizens of the state. This news may cause some amount of displeasure among those who were looking to place their bets on the upcoming elections.

 

Raymond J. Lesniak, a Democratic state senator, says that there might be no chance the casino gambling expansion will take place. He has been a long-time supporter of the measure, but after the referendum, he believes the state may not see any expansion at all.

 

This referendum has now raised the question regarding how severe the loss will be. The Mayor, Don Guardian, who is also a Republican, called on the measure’s opponents during the Atlantic City board walk rally that took place on October 27, 2016, and asked them to deliver a mandate that will discourage supporters from reviving the measure.

 

Over the past two years, Atlantic City has seen the shut down of five casinos and thousands of people have lost their jobs. The local government seems to be waiting with baited breath for a potential takeover by the state.

 

If the referendum is passed, it will allow North Jersey to open new casinos located close to the residents and tourists of Manhattan. Supporters of the measure, however, argue that this expansion is vital to the state to prevent gamblers from moving to other states looking for casinos.

 

After peaking in 2006 at US$5.2 billion, New Jersey has seen terrible loss in casino gambling. Atlantic City once reigned supreme, but the empire crashed when surrounding states opened their doors to gambling halls hoping to rake in some extra tax revenue.

 

The Northeast market has become saturated, according to analysts. More than 30 tribal gambling spots, racetrack slot parlours, and casinos operate between Maine and Washington, and this number is only increasing.

 

Proponents of the measure want to build casinos in North Jersey arguing that New York and Pennsylvania have stolen their business worth billions in gaming revenue. The new casinos will bring in hundreds of millions of dollars which can be used to refurbish Atlantic City as well as finance various state programs focused on older adults.