Last week a Deutsche Bank report stated that the closing of Atlantic City, New Jersey casinos in combination with the state budget shortfall at the end of the last financial year is increasing the pressure for a casino at Meadowlands. The report also said that if one or more casinos were allowed to be built in the northern part of the state they could generate more than half a billion dollars, which would then put as much as $275 million into the state’s bank.

Last year, Senate President Stephen Sweeny said they had been in discussion in regards to the possibility of expanding casino gambling outside of Atlantic City. However, a poll released in early March showed public support for the idea waning.

The chief executive of MGM Resorts, James Murren said that he would be interested in the prospect of building a casino in northern New Jersey if gambling was legal there. Last year the Star Ledger reported that Paul Fireman, a venture capitalist, was meeting with lawmakers in order to push for a casino in Jersey City.