It’s June. For lawmakers who want to have a referendum on the ballot this November, it’s time to scramble.

Partnered with powerhouse Gaming Innovation Group, Hard Rock Casino NJ is one of the newest to launch an online casino platform in New Jersey. They're partnered with their Atlantic City casino, which used to be Trump's Taj Mahal. So is Hard Rock keeping up with the competition? Hard Rock International executives along with Jeff Gural of The Big M announced plans in June of 2015 to form a partnership to build a Hard Rock Casino at East Rutherford`s Meadowlands Racetrack. In January 2016 legislators and Gov. Christie passed a bill allowing NJ residents the final say in whether to allow two new casinos outside of AC.

The deadline for the state legislature to submit public questions for the November ballot is August 3^rd. If lawmakers like state Senator Raymond Lesniak and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney want to have us voting on whether casino operators may build and operate casinos outside of Atlantic City this Fall, they need to do one of two things by August 3^rd:

Pass it with a supermajority (60% of the vote) within one legislative session
Pass it with a simple majority (50% or greater) in two legislative sessions

The ballot measure regarding the proposed development of up to three casinos in northern New Jersey is known as the New Jersey Northern Casinos Amendment (ACR 300). In its current form, it seeks to amend the Casino Control Act to allow for up to three casinos to be built in Bergen, Essex, and Hudson counties. An undisclosed portion of the revenue from these casinos would be used to fund Atlantic City’s continuing redevelopment. Even after years of unwavering support for keeping casino gambling contained to Atlantic City, Christie recently stated that he is in favor of the referendum.

Could the Age-old Debate be Reaching Its End?

The question of amending New Jersey’s Casino Control Act to allow for casinos to be built outside of Atlantic City has been a hot topic in recent years. When the Act was first signed into law, it specified that legal casino gambling in New Jersey could only happen within Atlantic City’s borders. This worked great at the time – Atlantic City became the East Coast’s gaming hot spot. Then casinos began to open in New York, Pennsylvania, and New England, drawing North Jersey gamblers and their money out of state.

With Atlantic City struggling to keep players in New Jersey, lawmakers proposed altering the law to allow casinos to operate in the state’s densely-populated northern half. Governor Christie and South Jersey lawmakers with an interest in Atlantic City’s future pushed hard against this, and in 2011, Christie signed a moratorium on any discussion of a casino outside of Atlantic City until 2016.

Despite this moratorium, legislators are talking. Governor Christie’s campaign to revitalize Atlantic City has been a flop. By the end of 2014, Christie was ready to discuss the possibility of a North Jersey casino with the state legislature. Currently, these are two likely players:

Hard Rock Meadowlands

Earlier this month, Hard Rock casino operators Jeff Gural and Jim Allen unveiled the concept art for their proposed new resort, Hard Rock Meadowlands, at the Bergen County Business Expo at the Meadowlands Racetrack.

At the event, Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco, state Senators Loretta Weinberg, Raymond Lesniak, and Paul Sarlo, and Assemby Speaker Vincent Prieto gave their support for Hard Rock Meadowlands.

If ACR 300 is passed and the majority of New Jersey voters approve it next Fall, this could be the next casino to open in the Garden State. If all goes smoothly, Hard Rock’s representatives said it could be open and operating by Fall 2016. Hard rock hotel sioux city iowa.

A Casino for Jersey City

As we’ve discussed in an earlier article, Jersey City has been proposed as a home for New Jersey’s first casino outside of Atlantic City.

This project, currently known as “Liberty Rising,” is being kept under much tighter wraps than Hard Rock Meadowlands. Artistic renderings of the proposed resort exist, but have not yet been made available to the public. All we know right now is that this casino will likely be significantly larger than Hard Rock Meadowlands, rising to 95 stories and including much more than just a casino and hotel. Liberty Rising, which is being spearheaded by Reebok mogul Paul Fireman, would likely court a more affluent clientele than Hard Rock Meadowlands.

But Would the Voters Approve?

A recent poll showed that only 36% of New Jersey residents approve of expanding casino gambling beyond Atlantic City’s borders. Even if ACR 300 does make it to the November ballot, there’s no guarantee it will pass. First, it just has to make it through the state Senate.

By Brenda Flanagan
Correspondent

With typical panache, Hard Rock International debuted plans for a casino complex built around Jeff Gural’s Meadowlands Racetrack while speakers blared Bruce Springsteen.

Promotional videos showed a modern facade, dominated by Hard Rock’s iconic guitar.

“It’s a beacon in the night. We want people when they’re in Manhattan to see the Meadowlands and see that — on the Jersey side — there’s an amazing entertainment destination,” said Hard Rock International Chairman and CEO Jim Allen.

Hard Rock Exec Allen described an entertainment dome that changes with the seasons, 5,000 slot machines, 200 gaming tables, restaurants and bars, plus a music museum featuring a rotating collection of rock ‘n’ roll’s historic memorabilia. He says they’ll lure customers with star power and branding.

New Jersey Meadowlands Map

“We will bring all of our resources that no one in the world can match to create this iconic destination,” said Allen.

“There is some perception that Jeff and I are thinking about ‘slots in a box.’ Let it be said and done — our renderings and video fly through will clearly demonstrate that’s not what we’re looking to do,” Allen said.

Allen says Phase One could be up and running by next summer, early fall, creating more than 2,300 union construction jobs — that got applause — and giving preference to local vendors. He repeated Gural’s offer to pay a 55 percent tax — generating $400 million to help revitalize Atlantic City’s tanking economy and rejuvenate horse racing in New Jersey.

“We have assurances that from the revenue stream, there’d be money dedicated to horse racing, both for standard and thoroughbred. Monmouth Park would receive a share,” said Dennis Drazin.

Praise flowed from a dais packed with politicians who’ve offered bills to put a referendum authorizing casino licenses outside of Atlantic City before New Jersey voters.

New Jersey Meadowlands Stadium

“I’m for no more than two. I’d be happy to put up a referendum that says one — in the Meadowlands,” said Sen. Loretta Weinberg.

Hotel Meadowlands New Jersey

“We will work together and we will be going to the ballot to ensure that we get this Hard Rock casino built here in the Meadowlands and I promise I will work with colleagues to make this promise become a reality,” said Sen. Paul Sarlo.

Meadowlands Casino Nj

“And this could be an economic engine, not just for this region but for the whole state of New Jersey. That’s how important this is,” said Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto.

Conspicuous by their absence: South Jersey lawmakers — including Sen President Sweeney – who’s been unsure about when
to post the referendum.

“The most important message to be delivered today by me is, this is not a fight between North Jersey and South Jersey. We believe with all my heart this is good for the state of New Jersey,” Gural said.

So the Hard Rock Casino Meadowlands PR machine is off and running, but the finish line — whether that referendum will be held this November or in 2016 — well, that remains undecided.

Hard Rock Casino Meadowlands New Jersey