Published on: April 27, 2026, 01:23h.
Updated on: April 27, 2026, 01:23h.
- Two lawmakers in New Jersey are advocating for a state vote to permit casinos beyond Atlantic City.
- The Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks are the proposed sites for these casinos.
- Three new casinos are projected to launch in downstate New York by 2030.
A New Jersey senator highlighted that the state’s gaming sector is facing significant challenges without prompt legislative action to broaden casino locations beyond Atlantic City.
Senate Concurrent Resolution 66 aims to introduce slot machines and table games at the racetracks in Meadowlands and Monmouth Park. This legislation suggests that New Jersey voters be asked to amend the state constitution to sanction casinos in these locations, which currently offer sports betting and parimutuel wagering.
“We are at a critical juncture. The gambling revenue in North and Central Jersey could easily shift across state lines when these casinos start operating,” stated New Jersey Senator Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth), one of the sponsors of SCR66, to Politico.
By allowing casinos in Bergen and Monmouth counties, Senator Gopal believes New Jersey can retain a larger share of the gaming taxes currently generated by Atlantic City’s resorts.
In 2025, New Jersey garnered $216.8 million from casino taxes across its nine physical casinos, in addition to $581.9 million from online gaming and $209.1 million from sports betting, leading to a total exceeding $1 billion.
New York’s Casino Expansion
In December 2025, New York greenlit the establishment of three comprehensive casino resorts within New York City, with two located in Queens and one in the Bronx.
The Hard Rock Metropolitan Park at Willets Point, Resorts World New York City at the Queens Aqueduct, and Bally’s Bronx at Ferry Point Park are anticipated to attract visitors away from Atlantic City, due to their convenience for residents in North Jersey. Senator Gopal and his co-sponsor, Senator Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen), argue that offering closer gambling options for those in the densely populated central and northern areas is a strategic move.
To alleviate concerns regarding the impact of the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park casinos on Atlantic City, Gopal and Sarlo have proposed a measure in SCR66 that includes a commitment for economic support for Atlantic City’s tourism. The resolution stipulates that 10% of gaming taxes from the new casinos would be allocated to enhance tourism efforts in Atlantic City.
Most of the tax revenue (45%) is earmarked for property tax relief, with 20% designated for special education initiatives, 10% for the state pension fund, another 10% for cost-of-living adjustments for state employees, and the remaining 5% directed toward the horse racing sector.
Opposition to North Jersey Casinos
South Jersey Forward, a nonprofit think tank and advocacy organization focused on enhancing southern New Jersey, is spearheading the opposition to the expansion of casinos outside Atlantic City. This organization has launched a platform called No North Jersey Casinos, enabling residents to easily contact their legislators about their dissent regarding gambling expansions at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.
“North Jersey politicians assert that casinos at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park would allow us to recover lost revenues from New York gambling. However, as seen with Pennsylvania’s gaming industry, the solution is not to undermine Atlantic City but rather to assist it in growing, diversifying its economic landscape, and addressing local crime issues,” the website states.
“For many years, Atlantic City has been recognized as New Jersey’s primary hub for casino gaming — a hard-earned position that has generated billions in revenue, thousands of jobs, and a distinct economic identity for South Jersey. The introduction of casinos in North Jersey jeopardizes all of this,” the campaign claims.