Politicians work to put off Atlantic City casino closures

State Sen. Jim Whelan, who sent the letter with Assemblymen Chris Brown and Vince Mazzeo, said he wants the planned closure dates extended four months.

He told The Press “the longer the better, because first of all, it would keep people working, and secondly, it would maximize the possibility of someone (interested in buying the property) having enough time to do their due diligence.”

Matthew Levinson, chairman of the Casino Control Commission, said in a statement that the agency is “reviewing the letter from Senator Whelan and Assemblymen Mazzeo and Brown. I certainly share the very serious concerns they raised about the welfare of workers and all of the businesses that will suffer if casino properties close their doors.” He said the commission’s power to direct casino business is limited under the Casino Control Act, and that the agency will continue reviewing “novel issues” in these “unprecedented” times.

The planned closures of Showboat and Trump Plaza, set for Aug. 31 and Sept. 16, respectively, don’t afford enough time “for potential buyers to do the appropriate research that acquisition of either property may require,” the letter said.

It also asked the commission to forbid deed restrictions that prevent properties from being used as casinos after they’re sold. Earlier in the month, Chris Brown, R-Atlantic, publicly denounced such restrictions, which were used by Caesars, the owner of Showboat, when it sold the Claridge and the now-closed Atlantic Club. Brown said he aims to ban such restrictions outright in a bill he plans to introduce in the Legislature.

Tuesday’s letter, he said, is a bipartisan effort by local politicians. “Protecting middle-class families and their livelihood is not a Republican thing or a Democrat thing, it’s the right thing to do,” he said. “This is how government is supposed to work, putting aside party affiliation and working on behalf of the public’s best interest.”

Assemblyman Vince Mazzeo, D-Atlantic, echoed that sentiment. “If we’re on the same side of the issue ... then we certainly should move forward and work together and make things happen,” he said.