Casinos

Supporters of a ballot question asking New Jersey voters to amend the constitution to allow casinos outside of Atlantic City are not conceding that it won't happen this year, but they are losing confidence. In order for voters to get the chance in November, a resolution must receive final legislative approval by Aug. 3.

As gambling has continued to expand across the region, it's no secret that, for years, New Jersey casinos have been struggling. Tonight on Townsquare Media's Ask the Governor program, Gov. Chris Christie said he'd support a move to put a question on the ballot that would extend gaming to the northern part of the state.

A major effort is underway to put Atlantic City back on its feet in the post-casino closing era.

Since an emergency management team was appointed in late January to dig Atlantic City out of a financial mess, the manager and his right-hand man have been silent on their plans for the gambling resort town. An initial report is due by early next week, and according to the city's mayor, there's plenty of work going on behind the scenes.

Twenty-six weeks of unemployment benefits are set to run out this month for most of the workers laid off by the recent string of casino closures in Atlantic City.

While efforts to save Atlantic City continue on many fronts, a bitter battle continues on whether to allow casinos in other parts of the state.

Since the beginning of the year, four casinos have shut their doors in Atlantic City. The Atlantic Club shuttered its doors in January. Showboat closed on Aug. 31, Revel went dark on Sept. 2 and Trump Plaza closed on Sept. 16.

Momentum may be building for casinos in New Jersey to be located elsewhere than Atlantic City, with dueling proposals being made for casino-hotel megaplexes at the Meadowlands and in Jersey City.

After spending more than 30 years at what could be argued as the best location in Atlantic City, Trump Plaza is set to close Tuesday, becoming the fourth Atlantic City casino to shut down this year.

The New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development is spearheading a career fair Sept. 10 to help hundreds of unemployed Atlantic City casino workers find new jobs.

Despite three casino closures in a matter of weeks, Atlantic City's mayor isn't too concerned with a potential spike in crime locally.

What's the future of Atlantic City? Legislative leaders, casino industry officials, local representatives and organized labor will gather in Atlantic City today for a historic summit on the future of the city.