Proposal to allow scaled-down casinos in Atlantic City, NJ, moves forward in state Legislature

Plan for small Atlantic City, NJ, casinos advances

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. — A plan to revive the struggling casino industry in Atlantic City, N.J., by allowing smaller casino-hotels with as few as 200 rooms has been advanced by a state Senate committee.

Democratic state Sen. James Whelan introduced legislation to permit four new casinos of at least 200 rooms. The current minimum is 500, and the newest casinos have more than 2,000 each.

Supporters believe the measure that advanced Thursday could help cure the malaise gripping the nation’s second-largest gambling market, which is struggling under competition from neighboring states.

But many of the existing casinos vehemently oppose the plan. They say it would water down the standard visitors have come to expect.

The legislation goes to the full Senate for a vote.