Atlantic City Keeps Casino Exclusivity as North Jersey Vote Is Delayed

TRENTON, N.J.: A proposal to allow casinos in North Jersey has missed the deadline for New Jersey’s 2026 ballot. The delay preserves Atlantic City’s exclusive right to host the state’s casinos and pushes any statewide vote to at least 2027.

The proposed North Jersey casino amendment would permit gaming at Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park Racetrack. The official Senate Concurrent Resolution 66 remained introduced and had not received the legislative approval needed before the August 3 deadline.

Deadline Passes Without Legislative Vote

New Jersey’s Constitution requires proposed amendments to be published at least three months before being submitted to voters. With the general election scheduled for November 3, lawmakers needed to complete the required legislative action by August 3 for the casino question to appear this year.

A proposed amendment can reach voters after receiving support from three-fifths of the members of both legislative chambers. An alternative route allows passage by simple majorities in both chambers during two consecutive legislative years.

Neither chamber voted on the North Jersey proposal before the deadline. The measure would have authorized lawmakers to regulate and tax casino games at the two racetracks, subject to approval by a majority of voters in a statewide referendum.

Meadowlands operator Jeff Gural said he had expected the question to advance. “I was disappointed and truthfully shocked that I wasn’t able to get it on the ballot,” Gural told NorthJersey.com.

Monmouth Park operator Dennis Drazin attributed the lack of movement to lawmakers’ focus on difficult state budget negotiations. The proposal was sponsored by state Sens. Vin Gopal and Paul Sarlo but did not progress beyond its introductory stage.

Atlantic City Keeps In-State Exclusivity

Casino gaming has been restricted to Atlantic City since New Jersey voters authorized it there in 1976. The current market consists of nine casino hotels, which generated $2.89 billion in in-person casino win during 2025.

Figures released by the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement show casino win reached $1.1 billion through June 2026. That represented a 2.3% increase from the same period in 2025, although June revenue declined by 0.7% year over year.

The ballot delay removes the immediate prospect of new in-state competition at the Meadowlands or Monmouth Park. It does not prevent lawmakers from reviving the proposal for a later general election.

New York Competition Strengthens Expansion Debate

Supporters have presented North Jersey casinos as a response to gambling expansion across the Hudson River. The debate reflects broader concern over how New York’s casino expansion could affect Atlantic City as new resorts compete for customers across the metropolitan area.

The New York State Gaming Commission licensed three New York City casinos in December 2025: Resorts World New York City, Hard Rock Metropolitan Park and Bally’s Bronx. Resorts World began offering live table games at its existing Queens property in April 2026, while the Hard Rock and Bally’s developments remain longer-term projects.

Opponents of North Jersey expansion have argued that additional casinos could divert customers and investment from Atlantic City. With the 2026 window closed, supporters would need to secure the necessary legislative votes more than three months before the 2027 general election for the question to reach next year’s ballot.

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