Slew of Gaming Bills Filed in New Jersey, Topics Range From Smoking to More Casinos
Posted on: January 15, 2026, 10:40h.
Last updated on: January 15, 2026, 11:11h.
- New Jersey lawmakers will consider various bills related to gaming in 2026
- Perhaps most critical is whether a casino will be authorized for North Jersey
- Casino smoking discussions are also likely
The New Jersey Legislature began its 2026 session this week with a new General Assembly makeup after Democrats strengthened their stronghold on the lower house last November by flipping five seats blue.
Along with incoming Gov. Mikie Sherrill (D) and the party-controlled Senate, Democrats hope to accomplish a series of legislative goals this year. The New Jersey Legislature’s 2026 session runs through December 31.
Gaming will once again be a major legislative talking point. With New York signing off on three downstate New York casinos, with one in the Bronx and two in Queens, New Jersey lawmakers will determine if the state would be smart to expand casino gambling outside of Atlantic City.
Two resolutions, Senate Concurrent Resolutions 31 and 66, seek to initiate a statewide referendum asking voters to amend the New Jersey Constitution to allow slot machine gambling at horse racetracks. The goal of the statutes is to bring a casino to the Meadowlands in North Jersey, with the thinking that a casino there would keep critical gaming tax money in the Garden State instead of it flowing into neighboring New York once Bally’s, Hard Rock, and Resorts World open their full-scale casinos.
Smoking Bills
Along with the North Jersey casino resolutions, two bills have been filed to eliminate casino smoking. The 2006 New Jersey Smoke-Free Air Act included exemptions for slot machine and simulcast wagering facilities.
Senate Bill 1500 and 698, both sponsored by Sen. John Burzichelli (D-Gloucester), would amend the state tobacco law to require casinos, racetracks, and off-track betting parlors to maintain smoke-free indoor environments. The casino lobby down the shore opposes a smoking ban on claims that it would push some players away and force the resorts to lay off workers.
Sherrill has expressed support for making Atlantic City smoke-free. Sherrill has rebuked the industry’s claims that smoking bans are bad for business. The governor-elect believes smoking bans might actually be good for the casinos, as younger people are smoking at rates far below those of their elders.
Younger people don’t smoke cigarettes. If you’re looking at younger people and the future, it seems like a weird fight to have,” Sherrill said last May about casinos’ hostility of a smoking ban.
Sherrill takes office on January 20.
Sweepstakes Casinos
New Jersey lawmakers will also consider whether to pass a law authorizing sweepstakes casinos. Senate Bill 1500 from Sen. Joseph Cryan (D-Union) would qualify dual-currency online sweepstakes casinos as a form of internet gambling regulated by the state’s iGaming law.
Last year, New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) signed legislation banning the unauthorized operation of sweepstakes casinos.
If passed, SB1500 would allow sweepstakes casinos to pursue the appropriate license from the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement, so long as they adhere to the appropriate regulations and direct 19.75% of their gross revenue to the state.
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