New Bill To Allow Casinos To Remain Open During The Government Shutdown

State Sens. Jim Whelan and Jeff Van Drew and Senate President Steve Sweeney introduced a legislation under which the Atlantic City’s casinos would remain open during any government shutdown.

The current law in New Jersey is that the casinos can stay open for seven days after the state government shuts down. The bill, introduced would change the scenario allowing the casino to keep the gaming halls open permanently.

According to Whelan, D-Atlantic, the casinos are one of the biggest contributors to the economy in the city and shutting them down anytime could be dangerous to the economy and would severely affect the lives of casino workers and their families. The casino industry currently employs more than 50,000 people.

Due to the budget deadlock, many facilities in the state including the parks, historical sites, and Motor Vehicle Commission remained closed, earlier this week.

The lawmakers are further planning to pass legislation that keeps the state-run or other non-profit parks, forests or historic sites and others with the state agreement, to remain open during the ten days government shutdown.