New Jersey legislators failed to submit a constitutional amendment for casino expansion to the November ballot. The procedural delay postpones any public vote on gambling venues at the Meadowlands Racetrack and Monmouth Park until 2027.
Legislative Process and Stakeholder Positions
The amendment requires either a supermajority vote in both legislative chambers or a simple majority across two separate sessions. Dennis Drazin, CEO of Darby Development, attributed the postponement to legislative prioritization of the state budget and noted ongoing resistance from South Jersey representatives. Jeff Gural, owner of the Meadowlands Racetrack, stated he was "disappointed and truthfully shocked" by the missed timeline.Proponents argue that facilities in East Rutherford and Oceanport would preserve state gambling revenue amid upcoming casino openings in New York City. Conversely, Atlantic City legislators maintain that additional venues would further strain the region’s nine established casinos. Dan Cassino, director of the Fairleigh Dickinson University polling institute, questioned the likelihood of voter approval, noting that older demographics typically oppose casino growth.
Recent surveys reflect similarly limited support across the wider state population. Source: US legislative records.