New Jersey Gambling Summit

Democratic lawmakers in New Jersey began the first of three gaming summits Friday morning.

Gov. Chris Christie appointed a task force charged with considering the idea of the state taking over some section of Atlantic City and privatizing the horse tracks. The lawmakers are meeting to essentially answer some of the questions posed by the task force.

Ten of the state’s top lawmakers met today at the Atlantic City Convention Center and their goal was to hear from a variety of union leaders, vendors, developers and casino executives. Two of the state’s top democrats – Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester), the senate president, and Sheila Oliver (D-Essex), the assembly speaker, were participating.

State senators have already said they are committed to horse racing. One element of a proposed bill would eliminate horse racing at the Meadowlands. It’s less clear how lawmakers feel about the element of a bill that would allow the state to take over elements of Atlantic City gaming. That proposal, similar to many other state’s proposals that would allow states to run online casinos, would help bring needed revenue to the state and might even help to improve the financial standing of many Atlantic City casinos.

Other hearing will be held in Trenton and at the Meadowlands.