Lawmakers in New Jersey are moving forward with a bill that would allow smaller casinos in Atlantic City. If approved,
Over the past month, gambling summits have been held in New Jersey, with Democratic leaders pushing to take control of the AC casino industry. The Senate on Thursday approved a bill that would allow for much less of an investment to bring a casino to Atlantic City.
The bill would allow for a 200 room minimum for the resort, down from the current laws that mandate at least 500 rooms. The biggest casinos in the city have over 2,000 rooms, but many of them have remained unoccupied while the casinos deal with the aftermath of the economic recession.
In Florida, the Seminole Indians have already expanded their operations in the Sunshine State. The Seminoles recently completed a compact with the state that allows them to operate blackjack and baccarat at five of their seven casinos. The Seminoles have already said that they would be interested in building a casino resort in Atlantic City if the laws were changed.
The opposition to the new bill has come from existing casinos that want new investors to play by the same rules that they had to when they built their resorts. The addition of smaller facilities could also thin out what already is a struggling market.
Atlantic City has been considered to be the top gaming destination on the East Coast for decades. Other states, however, have made their move into the casino industry, taking customers from New Jersey along the way. Pennsylvania has become the biggest threat to New Jersey's casinos.
September 30, 2010
Posted By Terry Goodwin
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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