New Jersey Governor Chris Christie has once again called for state officials to convene and discuss matters pertaining to Atlantic City gaming.
Summit no. 2 that may include casino executives in addition to the state’s lawmakers will be held on Nov. 12 at the Casino Reinvestment Development Authority. The first summit got underway on Sept. 8 following a spate of casino closings that has reduced the number of operating casinos in Atlantic City to eight.
The official agenda of the upcoming summit has not been released, but the Press of Atlantic City reported that financial matters related to escalating property taxes and maintaining city government will be addressed. Several casinos recently won property tax appeals that reduced their payments, in turn passing a sizeable increase onto Atlantic City residents.
First Summit Addressed Strategy
Following the September summit, it was learned that the closed-door meeting centered around transitioning Atlantic City from a casino town to one that allows for a number of other attractions including entertainment and dining options. One could speculate that such a strategy was inevitable considering that Atlantic Club, Trump Plaza, Revel and Showboat are now shuttered.
While talk of casino expansion into northern New Jersey was also discussed during the first summit, it is believed that that option will be debated at length at some other time. Any such plan will likely include throwing a bone to Atlantic City in the form of financial assistance.
Online Gambling not on Summit Agenda
New Jersey will soon be celebrating its 1-year anniversary of offering regulated online poker and gambling. That milestone is just one month away.
The excitement that was going on one year ago at this time prior to the state’s launch of legalized online gambling has died down. But a new wave of excitement is expected when PokerStars receives approval from New Jersey gaming regulators to enter the market.
The summits being held are more concerned with land-based gaming operations in Atlantic City at this time. However, PokerStars may be the subject of future summits should their previous plan to open a poker room in the Resorts Casino be resurrected following a green light from the Division of Gaming Enforcement.
