The recent endorsement of three additional casinos in New York City has revitalized conversations in New Jersey regarding the potential for casinos outside of Atlantic City. Legislators and industry leaders are once again considering the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks as favorable locations.
On December 15, the New York Gaming Commission provided its final endorsement for two casinos in Queens and one in the Bronx, while proposals for Manhattan were declined.
Although New Jersey gaming officials were primarily worried about a casino in Manhattan diverting business from Atlantic City, the recent approvals have reignited the discussion about whether New Jersey should broaden its in-person gaming offerings to keep gambling revenue within state lines.
State Senator Paul Sarlo, D-Wood Ridge, stated that the locations in New York present minimal competitive threat to New Jersey’s casino industry, yet emphasized the importance of moving forward with comprehensive plans for expansion.
State Sen. Paul Sarlo
“Even with the approvals for two venues in Queens and a Bronx casino, these pose minimal competition to New Jersey gaming,” Sarlo commented in a statement.
According to Sarlo, focus should shift to development initiatives following New Jersey’s hosting of the FIFA World Cup next July. “After we conclude our role on the world stage with the FIFA World Cup, we should prioritize the creation of a premier convention center and casino at the Meadowlands and expand gaming at the Monmouth Racetrack,” he expressed.
Currently, all nine brick-and-mortar casinos in New Jersey are situated in Atlantic City. Any potential expansion would necessitate voter endorsement through a constitutional amendment. A proposed referendum would ask residents whether casinos should be allowed at the Meadowlands Racetrack in East Rutherford and the Monmouth Park Racetrack in Oceanport.
For a constitutional amendment to be presented on the ballot, it must secure either a supermajority vote in both the state Senate and Assembly or achieve simple majority votes on two occasions in both chambers.
Dennis Drazin, CEO of Darby Development, which manages Monmouth Park, would like to see the referendum on the ballot by next November, which would necessitate legislative approval by June. Drazin noted that Morris Bailey, who is developing 298 rental units and a 200-room hotel close to Monmouth Park, is likely to spearhead the development of a casino in Oceanport. Currently, Caesars operates the sports betting facilities at the racetrack.
At the Meadowlands, owner Jeff Gural indicated that a casino project would need to partner with an established gaming operator and could carry a price tag of up to $2 billion. Gural mentioned that a referendum in 2026 is still being contemplated. “We wouldn’t propose anything for the ballot unless we are confident it will be successful,” he remarked.
Gural was instrumental in a 2016 North Jersey casino referendum that saw a 4-1 defeat. “It was structured to fail,” Gural stated in a 2024 interview, maintaining that the proposal permitted a casino to be established anywhere in North Jersey. “Residents generally don’t want a casino in their neighborhood,” he added.
Market analysts suggest that any new casinos should function as destination venues, rather than relying solely on gambling. Bill Pascrell III, a lobbyist for the gaming sector, asserted that future casinos must offer entertainment, dining options, accommodations, and specialized betting alternatives. “A casino cannot merely function as a gambling establishment; it must be a destination,” Drazin has previously indicated.
Independently, the Meadowlands Chamber of Commerce continues to advocate for a proposed convention center near MetLife Stadium, with an estimated cost of $1.6 billion, alongside an additional hotel development anticipated to be worth $1 billion. Chamber President Jim Kirkos warned, “If we remain stagnant and fail to envision the future, neighboring states will continue to outpace us.”