As Atlantic City works through the middle of a five-year plan to revitalize the city, one law maker is hinting at the possibility of giving voters an opportunity to vote on allowing casinos in North Jersey before 2016.

During a meeting with the editorial board for The Record, Senate President Steve Sweeney said he has been discussing expanding casino gambling with stakeholders in the northern part of the state for almost a year and there is a "very real possibility" that voters could decide whether to allow gambling in North Jersey via the ballot box in November, 2015.

Sweeney tells The Record that any plans for gambling in North Jersey must include details on how money from those sites could help Atlantic City.

As casino gaming has expanded in neighboring states, The Atlantic Club Casino closed in January, Revel continues to deal with bankruptcy, Showboat will be closing at the end of August, and experts say at least one -- or more -- casinos need to close to stabilize the marketplace.

 

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