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EAST RUTHERFORD, N.J. (Associated Pres) While New Jersey lawmakers heard pros and cons Thursday on the prospect of casino gambling at the Meadowlands, Gov. Chris Christie, who opposes the idea, called the discussion futile.
"I think any conversation about extending gaming to the northern part of the state or any place else in the state is a waste of time," Christie said at an unrelated bill-signing in Trenton. "As a practical political matter, it's not going to happen."
Members of the New Jersey Assembly's Regulatory Oversight and Gaming Committee planned to hear from more than 30 speakers during the meeting at the Meadowlands racetrack in East Rutherford, where opinions on the proposal were sharply divided.
"The surrounding states are eating our lunch when it comes to gaming revenue," said Sen. Paul Sarlo.
The Bergen County Democrat argued that a casino at the Meadowlands would not undermine Atlantic City.
"This is not about North versus South, Meadowlands versus Atlantic City," Sarlo said. "It's about capturing the revenue from others states here in New Jersey."
Supporters like Sarlo say gambling at the Meadowlands could strengthen New Jersey against competition from nearby states. Competition from other states has sharply cut casino revenues in Atlantic City, which has been on the decline since the onset of casino gambling in Pennsylvania in November 2006.
But Christie and other opponents of the idea want to make sure Atlantic City's revitalization plan has time to turn around the resort's fortunes before allowing what they say would be an in-state competitor for revenues, jobs and gambling customers.
Christie said Thursday that the state can always add gambling later and is not losing anything at this time by staying committed to Atlantic City.
"We'll see if it succeeds or fails," he said.
Atlantic County Republican Rep. Chris Brown, who opposes a casino at the Meadowlands, told the committee the racetrack has little to offer customers compared to the "resort experience" that Atlantic City has been aggressively trying to market.
"It's like putting a $10,000 saddle on a $10 racehorse," Brown said of the Meadowlands.
Even discussing the idea of allowing casinos in northern New Jersey could potentially unnerve would-be Atlantic City investors, he added.
Others who questioned why the committee was having more discussion on the issue rather than taking action raised the ire of Assemblyman Ralph Caputo. The Essex County Democrat, a committee member, said lawmakers were doing the right thing by hearing from all sides.
"Not having this discussion is counter-productive," Caputo said. "All these ideas are important so we can synthesize them and make the right decision."
