NFL May Be Dealing With Gambling Issues With Meadowlands Casino
The Meadowlands will play host next year to the biggest sporting event in the US, the Super Bowl. For decades the Super Bowl has been an economic windfall for the host locations, and New Jersey is hoping the event can bring much needed funds to a state that has an ailing gaming industry.
New Jersey lawmakers believe they have a way to bring the economic impact even greater during Super Bowl week. Legislators have been discussing for months a plan that would authorize a new casino at the Meadowlands. Governor Chris Christie is adamantly against the plan, but lawmakers believe they can gather enough votes to avoid having Christie rule on the issue.
The quickest way for legislators to bypass Governor Christie is a voter referendum. If voters approve a plan to bring a casino to the Meadowlands, it would then be up to legislators to ensure the casino was operational before the 2014 Super Bowl.
One of Christie's biggest reasons for opposing casinos in North Jersey is his directive to revive a struggling Atlantic City gaming industry. Christie held a series of gaming summits last year, and is dedicated to helping AC casinos out of the hole that was dug during the 2008 economic recession. The plan put in place by lawmakers for Atlantic City will take five years to carry out, according to Senate President Steve Sweeney.
New Jersey is in a fierce battle with Maryland, Pennsylvania, and now Massachusetts for gaming dollars in the Northeast. Pennsylvania has become the top gaming destination on the East Coast over the past year, and Atlantic City casinos have been unable to regain customers that were lost to Pennsylvania.
The Super Bowl annually accounts for billions of dollars to the local economy where the event is held. Senate Majority Leader Loretta Weinberg recently told WCBS radio that a casino, even a temporary facility, at the Meadowlands could mean thousands of additional visitors and millions in additional revenue for New Jersey.
The NFL has long been against gambling, specifically betting on their sport. The NFL has held the Super Bowl in many locations where casino gambling is prevalent, including Michigan, Florida, California, and Louisiana.
August 2, 2012
Posted By April Gardner
Staff Editor, CasinoGamblingWeb.com
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