New Jersey

New Developments (updated 2/14/01)

Waterborne gaming legislation: Assembly Concurrent Resolution (ACR) 23, sponsored by Assemblywoman Nilsa Cruz-Perez (D-Camden), would authorize a statewide referendum on the question of whether the state constitution should be amended to permit the New Jersey State Legislature to allow waterborne gaming (on boats that cruise or remain permanently docked) if a bordering state authorizes any form of casino gaming.

The measure provides that only holders of Atlantic City casino licenses would be licensed to conduct casino gaming on waterborne platforms; that no single license holder in Atlantic City would be licensed to conduct casino gaming on more than three boats; and that waterborne casinos would be subject to the same tax rate on gaming revenue as that which now applies to land-based casinos.

ACR 23 was introduced in January and referred to the Assembly Commerce, Tourism, Gaming and Military and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

An identical measure, Senate Concurrent Resolution 15, is pending in the Senate Judiciary Committee. Sen. Wayne Bryant (D-Camden) is the sponsor.