Shuffle Up and Deal: New Jersey Casinos Prepare to ReopenLawmakers Agree on Budget, Casinos Wait to Hear When They Can Reopen |
|
New Jersey State legislators have come to terms on a new state budget, but it's still unclear when the casinos of Atlantic City will reopen.
The dozen casinos of Atlantic City, which were forced to close their doors July 5 due to a budget impasse, are anxiously waiting for state officials to tell them when they can unchain their doors and welcome paying customers.
At the Borgata, which is suppose to be in day two of its Borgata Summer Open, a recorded message expresses optimism that the casinos will soon be open, but doesn't confirm an exact time or date. It says:
"We are currently preparing to reopen our casino just as soon as we receive official approval to do so."
The casinos were shuttered because the Casino Control Commission was one of the many government offices that were ordered to close after lawmakers allowed July 1 to pass without a new budget. Without a budget, the state's workers could not be paid. Without employees of the Casino Control Commission on the job, the casinos could not operate because there would be no inspectors on the clock to keep an eye on casino operations.
The casinos appealed the Commission's decision earlier this week, but a state Supreme Court judge sided with the state and said the casinos must close, putting about 36,000 casinos employees out of work and costing the state about $1.3 million a day in taxes.
A representative of Trump Taj Mahal said they haven't yet received official word when they will be allowed to resume operations. Gov. Jon S. Corzine is expected to make a budget announcement later this afternoon or early tomorrow.
Representatives of the state's Casino Control Commission could not be reached for comment.
The Borgata Summer Open is scheduled to go on until the end of the month. Officials at the Borgata have not yet decided how the Open will be rescheduled. Keep an eye on CardPlayer.com to find out more information as it develops.
Click here and here to read past articles about this issue.
Copyright © 2001-2024
CardPlayer.com. All rights reserved.
