Debate Drags On Over Possible Gaming In Northern New Jersey

By David Madden

TRENTON, N.J., (CBS) -- Separate measures were debated in New Jersey legislative committees aimed at putting a question of voters that would allow casinos outside Atlantic City. But it's unlikely those current efforts will succeed given one major difference in the competing plans.

It comes down to who would get two North Jersey licenses. The Assembly wants an open process to award one of them, while the Senate ties both licenses to current Atlantic City casino operators.

South Jersey is looking to kill the idea all together. Cape May County Senator Jeff Van Drew (D) suggests if those new casinos were to open, the Atlantic City gaming market would be damaged beyond repair.

"The potential is there for this area of Southern New Jersey to become a ward of the state," Van Drew said, "and for us to have to do a great deal more just to enable them to survive and to move forward."

On the Assembly side, Republican Chris Brown said proponents of the plan are pursuing personal agendas and not being honest with the electorate. "If anybody's trying to say to them that somehow this gaming referendum is somehow going to help Atlantic City, you're not being truthful and you should stop it," Brown said.

But unless leaders in both houses can reach a compromise, the question will be punted to the next legislative session, which starts next week. The rules would change to get the question on the November ballot, requiring a three-fifths super majority and, therefore, the support of some Republicans.