Freeholders Oppose Any North Jersey Casinos

CREST HAVEN – Casinos may be located in Atlantic City, but the idea of closed gaming halls there coupled with the notion of shifting gaming in or near the Meadowlands drew a resounding thumbs-down from Cape May County freeholders Sept. 23.
At the urging of Director Gerald Thornton, the board, with Freeholder Will Morey absent, unanimously approved a resolution urging the Legislature and governor ”to keep their promise not to permit expansion of casino gambling outside of Atlantic City.”
The thought of gaming in North Jersey, in direct competition with Atlantic City, where many Cape May County residents work, brought about Thornton’s and the board’s action.
“It will hurt Atlantic City, the county and the southern region with a number of employees who work in casinos,” said Thornton. “It would be very, very damaging. It creates a nightmare for the government of Atlantic City itself,” he continued.
“Mayor Guardian is trying to do everything he can,” said Thornton. “I am concerned about the impact of jobs, not only of those who work in the casinos, but the vendors who supply the casinos. It will have impact here.”
Thornton offered the concept that “every county should be eligible to have a casino. That’s how I feel. It’s important for the economy of South Jersey to support those casinos in Atlantic City,” he said.
The resolution stated that “the casino industry in Atlantic City and its related economy are vitally integrated into the fabric of Cape May County, providing thousands of jobs directly through its gaming and hotel operations and indirectly through businesses linked to the casino and tourism industries.”
It pointed to the five-year agreement “forged” by Gov. Chris Christie and Senate President Stephen Sweeney to keep casino gambling exclusively in Atlantic City, “an agreement important to Cape May County as well.”
The resolution also pointed to the Casino Association of NEw Jersey’s study that “concluded casinos in Northern New Jersey would siphon off 45 percent of gaming revenue from Atlantic City and the entire New Jersey casino industry would lose 3,800 jobs, $190 million in payroll, and divert $45 million from services to our seniors and disabled.”
The gaming industry in Atlantic City employs over 31,000, supports many small. local businesses, and is integral in the region’s tourism industry.
“Any discussion, speculation, legislation or ballot question regarding expanding gaming outside of Atlantic City before the end of the five-year agreement and an honest evaluation of the progress of Atlantic City jeopardizes local businesses and employment, private sector investment, visitor confidence, convention marketing efforts, and will harm Atlantic City’s transition to a destination resort.
“The facts tell us casino gaming in North Jersey will negatively impact our regional economy, depress our property values and place 27,000 jobs at risk, thereby making it harder for local families to afford to live in Cape May and Atlantic counties.”