The Latest: Wall Street shares AC's casino expansion concern


Save Story
Leer en español

Estimated read time: 3-4 minutes

This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) — The Latest on the debate over expanding casinos into northern New Jersey, near New York City (all times local):

11 a.m.

Wall Street shares Atlantic City's concern about what the addition of two new casinos in northern New Jersey could do to the struggling seaside resort.

Eric Green Sr., managing director of Penn Capital Management, told a major casino conference in Atlantic City that he's "pessimistic" about the city's chances if two new in-state casinos are approved.

He adds his company would not invest in Atlantic City right now, knowing northern New Jersey casinos are a possibility.

Andrew Zarnett, managing director of Deutsche Bank Securities, says some of the weaker Atlantic City casinos could fold if new casinos are added in the northern part of the state.

But, he did not specify which ones, or estimate how many might close.

____

9:55 a.m.

The businessman who made Reebok a worldwide name says his proposed casino in northern New Jersey would target gamblers from New York City, not Atlantic City.

Footwear magnate Paul Fireman told a major casino conference in Atlantic City that his proposed casino, costing nearly $5 billion, would primarily capture visitors from New York City, just across the Hudson River.

Fireman says he aims to take money from New York, rather than letting New York take money from New Jersey tourists.

Fireman's is one of two announced casino proposals.

New Jersey voters will decide in November whether to authorize two new casinos, though no locations have been specified.

____

9:50 a.m.

The owner of the Meadowlands Racetrack who is proposing to build a casino in East Rutherford, New Jersey, says a referendum to authorize new casinos in the state is Atlantic City's last chance to survive.

Opponents of the two proposed new casinos near New York City fear it could cause three to five of Atlantic City's casinos to shut down.

But Meadowlands Racetrack owner Jeff Gural says the proposed $200 million in revenue from north Jersey casinos that would be sent to Atlantic City is the "last chance" for struggling Atlantic City to save itself.

Panelists at a major casino conference in Atlantic City are debating the pros and cons of the proposed north Jersey casinos.

No locations have been picked, but leading contenders are in East Rutherford, where the NFL's Jets and Giants play, and in Jersey City

____

9:45 a.m.

An Atlantic City casino operator says allowing two new casinos in the northern part of the state could cause up to five of Atlantic City's remaining casinos to go out of business.

Resorts president Mark Giannantonio (Gee-ann-ann-TOE'-nee-oh) predicts 23,000 jobs could be lost in Atlantic City if voters authorize the new casinos near New York City.

Panelists at a major casino conference in Atlantic City are debating the pros and cons of the proposed north Jersey casinos.

No locations have been picked, but leading contenders are in East Rutherford, where the NFL's Jets and Giants play, and in Jersey City.

____

9:30 a.m.

The head of New Jersey's state Senate says it's time to start a campaign to drum up support for two new casinos in the northern part of the state, near New York City.

Steve Sweeney told the East Coast Gaming Congress and iGaming Institute that it won't be easy to get voters to approve the new casinos in a November referendum.

Gov. Chris Christie says those proposed casinos are on life support right now with the public, due to the turmoil surrounding Atlantic City and its inability to balance its books, even with eight casinos in town.

Analysts say they could be among the most successful casinos in the country. Atlantic City officials fear they could cause three to five of the surviving eight casinos to close.

Copyright © The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

Most recent Business stories

Related topics

Business
The Associated Press

    STAY IN THE KNOW

    Get informative articles and interesting stories delivered to your inbox weekly. Subscribe to the KSL.com Trending 5.
    By subscribing, you acknowledge and agree to KSL.com's Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.

    KSL Weather Forecast