New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy Says Atlantic City ‘Humming,’ Commits to Keeping Gaming Money in Garden State
Posted on: June 19, 2025, 08:05h.
Last updated on: June 19, 2025, 10:53h.
- New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy could be open to allowing casinos outside of Atlantic City
- Three downstate New York casinos will open in the coming years
- The New York properties threaten Atlantic City and New Jersey’s gaming industry
New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) says he’s supportive of steps to ensure the longevity of Atlantic City and the state’s gaming industry as steep competition nears across the Hudson River in New York City.
Murphy, who won reelection in 2021 against Jack Ciattarelli, a Republican who is seeking to succeed him again this November, this week sat down with the Press of Atlantic City’s Wayne Parry to discuss the health of the casino city and how New York threatens the nine resorts.
The headline is that Murphy is “open-minded” to allowing casinos outside of Atlantic City to give gamblers in North Jersey an option without crossing the Hudson or New York Bay.
“As we meet in June, we’re in the sweet spot. This place is humming,” Murphy began regarding Atlantic City and the start of its busy summer season.
I don’t want to lose those dollars out of New Jersey, so I have to color myself open-minded, but with a very clear caveat that I need to understand how all of this impacts Atlantic City,” the governor continued.
By the end of the year, three casino licenses with slot machines, live-dealer table games, and retail sports betting privileges are expected to be awarded for three downstate New York gaming resorts. There are eight bids for the three concessions, ranging from Yonkers and the Bronx to Manhattan, Brooklyn, and Queens.
New York Threat
Casino applications are being prepped for various locations across New York City and Westchester County.
MGM Resorts and Genting, which respectively operate Empire City Casino by MGM Resorts in Yonkers and Resorts World New York City in Queens, racinos that presently can only offer video lottery terminals and electronic table games, are strong candidates for two of the full-scale casino licenses. Billionaire Steve Cohen is partnered with Hard Rock International for a casino at his New York Mets Citi Field Ballpark, also in Queens.
Caesars Entertainment is presenting a casino in Times Square in partnership with SL Green and Jay-Z. Mohegan is aligned with the Soloviev Group for a casino pitch on Manhattan’s East Side next to the United Nations Headquarters. Silverstein Properties has teamed with Rush Street Gaming and Greenwood Gaming for a casino development in Midtown West near the Javits Center.
Saratoga Casino Holdings and the Chickasaw Nation want to overhaul Coney Island with a casino resort, and Bally’s is targeting the Bronx for a gaming development.
Regardless of where the three New York casinos open, the properties will poach gaming dollars from Atlantic City and New Jersey. Murphy seeks to limit the damage.
I have historically liked the notion that if it’s a zero-sum question between New York and New Jersey, I want the gaming dollars and the tourism and everything that goes with it on the New Jersey side,” Murphy said. “But I’m also conscious of what the impact would be on Atlantic City.”
For casinos to open outside of Atlantic City, state voters would need to amend the New Jersey Constitution through a statewide ballot referendum. In May, Sens. Vin Gopal (D-Monmouth) and Paul Sarlo (D-Bergen) filed a resolution to ask Garden State residents if they wish to allow casinos at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks, though Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 130 hasn’t yet cleared a Senate committee.
Atlantic City History
Atlantic City was envisioned as a beach resort destination for the middle class. Its proximity to Philadelphia, roughly 60 miles away, made it an attractive summer vacation spot.
The town boomed during Prohibition (1920-1933) when the city lacked much enforcement, and Atlantic City became known as a place where alcohol continued to flow. Once Prohibition ended, Atlantic City declined with widespread poverty, crime, and urban decay.
After decades of economic struggles, New Jersey voters in 1976 approved a statewide ballot referendum to legalize casinos within Atlantic City’s limits as an urban redevelopment and revitalization tool. It worked, as Atlantic City experienced a renaissance, with its so-called “Golden Era” occurring in the 1980s. The resorts led to a real estate boom, with the construction of high-rise condominiums and nongaming hotels.
As Atlantic City lost its monopoly on casino gambling along the East Coast, another downturn ensued. Five casinos closed between 2014 and 2016, though the market has since stabilized and perhaps “right-sized” at nine gaming floors.
Now, competition in New York, among Atlantic City’s top feeder markets, threatens its future again.
Last Comments ( 2 )
One only has to look at Las Vegas NV to see what impact more casinos has. NJ missed the boat las time, now is the time to grow the market.
Putting Casinos in North Jersey such as The Meadowlands or Monmouth Racetracks will only pull business away from Atlantic City which is a whole other problem, is the State of New Jersey ready for that .?You will probably see more Casinos close in AC. The State of NJ needs to figure which option is best for the State and as of now it doesn't look like there is any now .