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Even after spending half a billion dollars in a casino in Atlantic City, Hard Rock still hopes to build one in northern New Jersey near New York City
Jim Allen, Hard's CEO Rock. "We own a property in the Meadowlands, and we have the exclusive right to operate the gaming operation there," he said.
A proposal to allow this was flatly defeated by voters in 2016. But Allen said the company did not give up the idea.
Speaking Thursday at the opening of the new Hard Rock Casino to what was the Trump Taj Mahal, Allen said each study projects that a casino at Meadowlands would do well, with 14 million people living in less than 50 miles from him.
"Yes, we would certainly be interested," he said on Thursday.
An Associated Press analysis of the Meadowlands casino proposal in 2015 found that it could be among the most successful in the country – at least until a casino be open in New York itself, if it ever happens.
Jeff Gural, who operates the Meadowlands Trail, estimates that a Meadowlands casino would take in between $ 800 and $ 900 million a year of players, making it one of the best in the country. Some analysts believe that a Meadowlands casino could exceed $ 1 billion in annual revenue, at least before having a nearby competitor in northern New Jersey.
And since then, the US Supreme Court has authorized 50 states to legalize sports betting, which New Jersey has done quickly. The Meadowlands plans to start taking sports bets on July 15th.
Allen's comments Thursday echoed those he did just after the state-wide referendum was beaten by about 80% at 20%. But key details about the project have never been explained, including precisely where the casinos would go and the rate at which they would be taxed.
And at least for the moment, there remains little appetite among the state-controlled legislature to try again for another public vote on the expansion of the casino . The constitution of New Jersey limits the casino game in Atlantic City;
New Jersey Senate President Steve Sweeney told the AP in December that the expansion of casinos was, at best, the order of the day
"I do not see him soon, if ever, "he said at the time. "I do not see where he comes back, he was crushed."
Sweeney said that he can not guarantee that a future Senate Speaker will not try to revive a public vote.
Sweeney reiterated this position on Friday.
Hard Rock was one of two closed casinos in Atlantic City that came back to life on Thursday. The former Revel Casino, closed in September 2014, reopened as Ocean Resort Casino.
The Trump Taj Mahal closed its doors in October 2016 and Hard Rock bought it from its former owner Carl Icahn in March 2017. While reiterating The long-term development plan of a casino in Meadowlands, Allen said he is determined to make his Atlantic City property a success
"If that (Meadowlands Casino) seems like it's going to happen, we will certainly not forget the Half billion dollars, we invested in this building, "he said.
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Follow Wayne Parry at http://twitter.com/WayneParryAC
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