Several Republican state lawmakers from the 9th legislative district in southern New Jersey have launched an online petition drive to battle possible expansion of casino gaming to North Jersey locations, most notably the Meadowlands racetrack.
New Jersey’s constitution currently permits casino gambling only in Atlantic City.
State Senator Christopher J. Connors, Assemblyman Brian E. Rumpf and Assemblywoman DiAnne C. Gove say the petition drive is intended to protect the regional economy in Atlantic City, which has seen three casinos close this year with the possibility of a fourth closing in November.
The move follows protests from Republican organizations in Atlantic and Cape May counties, which urged colleagues not to expand gaming in the state as Atlantic City retracts.
The Atlantic County Republican Party is planning to give out free “STOP North Jersey Casinos! Nothing is Inevitable” bumper stickers through its Facebook page. The Cape May County Regular Republican Organization is planning to do the same.
“We’re optimistic Atlantic City can reinvent itself and remain prosperous as a resort community,” Rumpf told the Press of Atlantic City, “but unfortunately one of the legs was cut out from underneath it because of the proliferation of gambling in other states. And I don’t think we should compound that.”
The petition posted on the delegation’s legislative website is intended to head off any legislative effort leading to expansion of casinos outside of Atlantic City. The petition’s title page calls for the state “to honor its commitment to Atlantic City.”
The lawmakers issued a joint statement saying specifically that any expansion of gaming within New Jersey would undermine efforts of Atlantic City to recover from the collapse of large portions of its casino industry.
“One of the proposals being bantered about in the legislature is that a certain amount of gross profit generated in the north would be dedicated to assisting the Atlantic City tax base, and I don’t see that as a reliable source of funding as we move forward—it could dry up,” Rumpf said, according to the Press.
