Sweeney denounces casino 'scrum'
TRENTON -- New Jersey Senate President Stephen Sweeney says the push to expand gaming beyond Atlantic City has devolved into a legislative “free for all” that has little chance of making the ballot in November.
The race to put gaming on the ballot this year heated up last week when three North Jersey lawmakers proposed a constitutional amendment that would allow the state to establish up to three casinos in Essex, Hudson, and Bergen Counties.
Sweeney and others warn that an amendment might not pass this year, when Assembly elections top the ballot and voter turnout is expected to be low. Plus, Sweeney says, lawmakers haven't reached a consensus on how to tax new gaming revenues and how much would be directed to nongaming development in Atlantic City.