Bergen County is home to the Meadowlands, which has long wanted to expand gaming. Meadowlands chairman Jeff Gural said last year that a casino there could generate us$ 350 million a year in revenue for the state.
Others who are apparently supporting the idea are state Senators Richard Codey and Raymond Lesniak, saying a casino upstate could plug the loss of casinos heading to New York as gaming expands there. Bergen County is the state’s most populous county and considered part of New York City’s metropolitan area.
In opposition would be Atlantic City casinos and South Jersey legislators, who argue adding a casino upstate would further hurt the already struggling AC gaming market. Governor Chris Christie has also opposed gaming outside AC, putting in place a five-year plan to help the city recover.