It has been announced that New Jersey's Assembly Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee will be holding a July 19 hearing at the Meadowlands to discuss the idea of full-blown casino gaming eventually coming to the famed East Rutherford raceway.

“The reality is that Atlantic City is losing many of its North Jersey customers to newly-opened casinos in Pennsylvania and New York,” Assemblyman Ralph Caputo was quoted as saying via release. “We ignore that fact at (our) own peril. Pennsylvania recently surpassed New Jersey to become the second-largest casino market in the country behind Las Vegas. Bringing gaming to the Meadowlands can help us reclaim the market and bring back much-needed revenue to New Jersey. Starting this discussion is common sense.”

As a report by John Brennan in The Bergen Record explains, the hearing is to get underway at noon, but no legislation in regard to northern gaming expansion will be discussed.

(With files from The Bergen Record)