ATLANTIC CITY, NJ — Atlantic City officials and casino owners, still reeling from COVID-19 revenue drops, are scrambling after a proposal to build a casino at the Meadowlands in East Rutherford have once again come to the table.
During the East Coast Gaming Congress held at the Hard Rock casino on Thursday, top executives from major U.S. casino companies discussed the significant opportunities and risks associated with three new casino licenses in downstate New York. These developments are expected to draw away some New Jersey gamblers, who may prefer the convenience of nearby casinos over travel expenses and traffic to Atlantic City.
Furthermore, the operator of a northern New Jersey racetrack, just outside New York City, expressed to The Associated Press his anticipation that New Jersey voters might soon approve the construction of a casino in the Meadowlands. This sentiment is fueled by the expectation that local gamblers will grow weary of the inconveniences associated with accessing New York gambling locations.
Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small highlighted the urgency of the situation at the conference, stating the city recognizes the looming threats and is striving to diversify and strengthen its gambling and entertainment offerings to maintain its competitive edge regardless of where new casinos emerge.