New Jersey voters will decide whether to expand casino gambling in the state beyond Atlantic City.
Both houses of the state legislature approved such a resolution Monday, placing the question on the Nov. 8 ballot.
The legislation asking voters to authorize two new casinos in northern New Jersey overwhelmingly passed the State Senate 34-6 and Assembly 54-15.
The new casinos would open in separate North Jersey counties at least 72 miles from Atlantic City, which has been only place in New Jersey permitted to have gambling facilities since 1978. A portion of annual revenue generated by the casinos would be directed toward Atlantic City.
"Expanding casinos to North Jersey will contribute to the state's economy with an investment in jobs and economic activity," said State Sen. Paul Sarlo, D-Wood Ridge, who co-sponsored the bill with Senate President Steve Sweeney, D-Gloucester. "We need to recapture the gaming business that has migrated out of state and revive a business sector that has long been important to the state's economy."
Proposals have been floated for facilities at the Meadowlands Racetrack in Bergen County and Jersey City in Hudson County. Hard Rock International, which is behind efforts for a Meadowlands casino, has estimated the venue would generate $400 million in annual taxes for New Jersey.
Sweeney has argued that New Jersey casino expansion is necessary to tap into revenue being lost to gambling venues in nearby states and will ultimately benefit struggling Atlantic City, which saw four of its 12 casinos close in 2014 and is in danger of running out of cash flow by early April absent state assistance.
"This plan will provide the resources needed to help the Atlantic City area make the transformation into a more diversified attraction that includes gaming, which is good for the state," said Sweeney in a statement. "Atlantic City has unique attractions as a destination resort that should be capitalized on."
Some lawmakers spoke out against the bill arguing that expanding casinos in the Garden State will add to an already saturated northeast gaming market and ultimately hurt Atlantic City. Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Northfield, whose district covers Atlantic City, said he will fight the referendum.
"From now until Election Day, we will take our message to people of this state to fight this misguided plan that will devastate Atlantic County," he said in a statement.
