Fuggedabout North Jersey Casinos — Here’s the Real Deal
Hey Folks,
Here we go again… and this time, it’s not just talk — it could actually end up on the ballot.
There’s a push right now to change the New Jersey Constitution to allow casinos outside of Atlantic City — specifically up at the Meadowlands and down at Monmouth Park. That means voters could be asked to decide whether to break a rule that’s been in place since 1978, when casino gaming was intentionally limited to Atlantic City.
And that part matters.
Atlantic City wasn’t chosen by accident — it was designed to be the destination. The idea was simple: concentrate gaming in one place to drive tourism, jobs, and long-term investment in South Jersey.
Now, the argument being made is that this expansion helps New Jersey compete — especially with New York adding new casinos. But here’s the reality…
This isn’t creating new demand. It’s shifting it.
You’re taking the same customers and spreading them across more locations in an already crowded market. That’s not growth — that’s dilution. And historically, when that happens, nobody wins long-term — not North Jersey, not South Jersey.
And down here? The impact is immediate.
Atlantic City casinos support an entire network of small businesses — florists, bakeries, linen services, transportation companies — all tied into the casino economy. When that weakens, the ripple effect is real.
We’ve seen it before.
The last time this went to voters in 2016, nearly 80% said no. And today, you’re seeing something rare — bipartisan leaders from South Jersey standing together again, saying: don’t expand… invest.
Build up Atlantic City. Add more attractions. More experiences. More reasons to visit.
Right now, we’re seeing real revitalization happening — from the Inlet to Midtown to Downbeach. Developers are investing across the city, including K. Hovnanian and Kushner Companies with the Caspian Point project (formerly the Garwood Mills site), the Residences at The Orange Loop by Trax Partners and Zoubek Properties, and projects from Hauck Construction at 2501 and 2505 Pacific Avenue.
You’ve got Asbury Park developer Pat Fasano and Authentic Partners bringing new brick-and-mortar builds and repurposing vacant properties, Lighthouse Row moving into Phase 2 with Phase 3 on deck, and Mark Collazzo continuing to invest on Tennessee Avenue with Top Hat and multiple other projects.
You get the idea — we don’t need to divide this momentum.
That’s how you grow.
Because once you start chipping away at what makes Atlantic City unique, you don’t just hurt one city — you risk weakening an entire region.
And that’s not a gamble worth taking.
Live-Work-Play-AC!
See you on the 48
AC Mike
Thanks for reading AC Mike’s Newsletter.
I would be against a provision like this because of the unique means by which AC is special. I always thought of AC of the playground of the Northeast.
I don’t agree with you what was unique is the old AC the City allowed it to go to shit.I dont gamble neither do X amount of other people.Bring back the Family atmosphere.
I disagree with you Mike. I was in Atlantic City when casino gaming was cutting edge. Atlantic City has many attributes and gaming in other locations can work to benefit Atlantic City. Asbury Park could be an issue, but maybe not even there. South Jersey has an airport that is hardly utilized. South Jersey has space for expansion complete with what is cutting edge today. Protectionism is not competing and I am a believer in the potential of Atlantic City. Probably no in my usable lifetime but I have to reason beyond that box.
I don’t agree with you what was unique is the old AC the City allowed it to go to shit.I dont gamble neither do X amount of other people.Bring back the Family atmosphere.
AC IS THE BEST
This time around the vote will be different,when NYC casino open and NJ gambling tax revenue declines there will be a all out push for North Jersey casinos it’s not if but when ,just a matter of time Tic Tic Tic
Mike the state needs money not just Atlantic City. Allow at meadowlands but smoke free ! With amusement park, stadium,arena , horse racing just allow it there ! You draw from New York smoke free like New York and there’s lots to do creating jobs and paying taxes to me a win/win