“Let’s put some casinos in other locations in New Jersey. I don’t understand the stranglehold Atlantic City has on New Jersey when all the legislators that I talk to want a casino at the Meadowlands, at Monmouth, and we’re losing all this business. What is going on in New Jersey? It does not make any sense.”
Those are the words of New Jersey Senator Michael Doherty. According to a report by the Asbury Park Press, Sen. Doherty's comments came Monday, June 24 during a floor debate.
The article explains that Doherty is one of five Senators that are saying that the State is missing out on a windfall of revenue by not allowing gaming expansion outside of Atlantic City. The report states that Atlantic City has lost 41 per cent of its gambling revenue since 2006.
"…Governor Christie and the Senate president made a deal to give Atlantic City five years to get on its feet, and we’re about three years into that time line,” Monmouth Park's Dennis Drazin has been quoted as saying. “Unless Senator Sweeney posts a bill and the governor says he’ll sign it, we’re still in that holding pattern.”
(With files from The Asbury Park Press)