June 04, 2015
Contributed Art/Renderings from Meadowlands Racing
A rendering of a proposed Hard Rock casino for the Meadowlands.
Plans for a Hard Rock Cafe casino at the Meadowlands Sports Complex were revealed Wednesday, a day after a group of lawmakers held a press conference advocating for an expansion of gambling beyond Atlantic City and into North Jersey.
The new casino could open as quickly as 2016, according to nj.com. Plans include a facility with 5,000 slot machines, gaming tables and restaurants.
Before a casino can be built, however, the state’s constitution will need to change. Currently, casinos are confined to Atlantic City.
In recent years, Atlantic City's gaming industry has declined as new casinos in nearby states have lured customers away. By expanding gaming to other parts of New Jersey, some legislators believe a Meadowlands complex could bring gamblers back to the Garden State.
Sarlo and others want a constitutional amendment to expand gambling on November's ballot. The measure would need to pass for the Hard Rock casino plan to move forward.
Officials predicted the casino would generate about $400 million in tax revenue, NJ.com said.
You can read more about the plans here.
