The issue of expanding casino gambling into northern New jersey will likely have the support of the next New Jersey Governor supports as both major candidates for the office said they were in favor of expansion at their last scheduled gubernatorial debate.
Democrat Phil Murphy and Republican Kim Guadagno said they favor expanding casinos outside of Atlantic City into the northern part of the state.
New Jersey voters, however, overwhelmingly defeated a referendum to allow the expansion last year. Supporters of expansion have vowed to bring the issue back before voters, but will have to wait at least one more year before a new referendum can be put on the state’s ballot.
Supporters had hoped to gain approval to allow two new casinos at unspecified locations in the state, though the Meadowlands and Jersey City were considered the leading contenders. However, a strong advertising campaign by opponents of the plan—including casino interests in Pennsylvania and New York—helped defeat the referendum.
Murphy and Guadagno—speaking at the last scheduled gubernatorial debate before the election—both voiced support for the casino expansion.
Murphy, who is leading the race in opinion polls, said he was a strong supporter of the plan
“It’s a huge job creator, and we’re desperate for jobs. No. 2, if it’s not in North Jersey, before we know it, it will be on the west side of Manhattan,” he said during the debate.
Murphy said new casinos could send significant revenue to Atlantic City to help the city increase non-gaming attractions. That provision was part of last year’s pitch for two new casinos to be built in northern New Jersey. Though it lacked specifics, the plan was to have new casinos contribute revenue for development of non-casino attractions in Atlantic City.
Murphy also said the state must remain competitive with neighboring states that allow casino gaming.
“My fear is if there’s a casino on the west side of Manhattan, they won’t send one red cent to Atlantic City. I’d rather that gaming, and those jobs created, be in New Jersey,” Murphy said.
Guadagno also supports expansion, but said the state should wait until Atlantic City’s finances are stabilized before revisiting the issue.
“Once Atlantic City is stabilized, yes, I believe we should put on the ballot the question of whether we have gaming up north. And I agree, if someone is going to get the jobs, we should get the jobs,” she said during the debate.
The state currently controls Atlantic City’s municipal finances and has been working to reduce the city’s massive debt and return it to fiscal stability. While the candidates both supported casino expansion, they differed on what role the state should continue to play in Atlantic City.
Murphy said he wants to return control of the city’s finances to local officials, but have the state continue to provide assistance.
“Atlantic City has gone through hell and back,” he said. I would undo that state takeover. But we’d be there on the ground working with the local elected officials to keep the progress we’ve seen in Atlantic City and a whole lot more.”
Guadagno, however, said the state’s intervention into the city has been positive, such as development tax credits offered by the state which Murphy has criticized.
“The only thing that keeps Atlantic City alive now and attracts businesses to Atlantic City are those tax credits,” she said. “That’s why Atlantic City is on the way back.”
