| Atlantic City, NJ Casinos Close Down For the first time in history, the Casinos in Atlantic City, NJ are closed due to state budget political stalemate. The eerie emptiness and quiet slot machines set the tone. |
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| A casino worker closes off the casino floor at Caesar's Atlantic City casino on Wednesday |
Imagine those who, months ago, made a reservation at a casino in Atlantic
City arriving to an empty casino. No slot machines and no table games or
video poker. It happened this week in Atlantic City, NJ when political
grandstanding overtook logic and the New Jersey State Legislature closed
down the casinos. Quite simply, they denied the funding necessary to keep
the states casino oversight employees, the Casino Control Commission, from
performing their duties. Without the Casino Control Commission, there can be
no legal gambling in New Jersey.
City arriving to an empty casino. No slot machines and no table games or
video poker. It happened this week in Atlantic City, NJ when political
grandstanding overtook logic and the New Jersey State Legislature closed
down the casinos. Quite simply, they denied the funding necessary to keep
the states casino oversight employees, the Casino Control Commission, from
performing their duties. Without the Casino Control Commission, there can be
no legal gambling in New Jersey.
The governor of New Jersey, Jon Corzine, said, "Make no mistake, people are
being hurt, and unfortunately more will be hurt in the days ahead,” as he
urged members to “stay here until we meet our constitutional obligations”.
On July 5, 2006, the states parks, beaches, historical sites, and casinos were
all shut down.
being hurt, and unfortunately more will be hurt in the days ahead,” as he
urged members to “stay here until we meet our constitutional obligations”.
On July 5, 2006, the states parks, beaches, historical sites, and casinos were
all shut down.
More than 45,000 state workers were furloughed, including those who staff
state parks and beaches and the gambling inspectors who keep an eye on
the casinos. Without the gambling inspectors, Atlantic City’s dozen casinos
had to shut their doors Wednesday, putting 36,000 casino employees out of
work.
The governor’s staff didn’t immediately know Thursday how quickly shuttered
activities such as horse racing, casino gambling and the lottery would
resume. The casinos stood to lose more than $16 million a day while shut
down, and the state would lose an estimated $1.3 million a day in the taxes
they normally generate.
On Wednesday, state parks, beaches and race tracks were ordered to
closed. Casino dealers were sent home in mid-shift, gamblers cashed in their
chips before being ushered to the exits, and janitors locked the doors behind
them. Atlantic City’s 12 casinos stand to lose more than $16 million a day,
and the state is losing an estimated $1.3 million a day in taxes the normally
generate.
About 36,000 state workers in vital roles, such as child welfare, state police
and mental hospitals, are still working, but without pay.
“No one wants to see people lose their jobs. We hope this gets resolved as
quickly as possible,” said Linda Kassekert, chairwoman of the state Casino
Control Commission.
While gambling ceased, the buildings — which also have restaurants,
showrooms, stores and meeting space — stayed open. But many gamblers
headed for the exits rather than stay around.
At Trump Taj Mahal, 150 people had canceled room reservations by mid-
afternoon. Spokesman Tom Hickey said about 2,500 people would be out of
work at the three Trump casinos.
In Jersey City, Felix Morales showed up at the gate of Liberty State Park with
his family to go fishing, but was turned away.
“Why should the citizens pay for something that the government should have
fixed before it got to this point?” he asked.
The effects of the budget stalemate have also frustrated the state’s plan to
stockpile influenza medicine in case of a flu pandemic. Officials reserved
907,000 courses of antiviral drug Tamiflu from a federal stockpile, but can’t
order or pay for the drugs without a budget, said Dr. Fred Jacobs, the state
health commissioner.
The deadlock was even being felt over the state line in New York, where
limousine services reported cancellations as gamblers chose not to rent cars
and drivers to ferry them to Atlantic City.
“I’m getting killed — people have canceled like crazy,” said Stan Spirn, owner
of Stan’s Limousine Service.
state parks and beaches and the gambling inspectors who keep an eye on
the casinos. Without the gambling inspectors, Atlantic City’s dozen casinos
had to shut their doors Wednesday, putting 36,000 casino employees out of
work.
The governor’s staff didn’t immediately know Thursday how quickly shuttered
activities such as horse racing, casino gambling and the lottery would
resume. The casinos stood to lose more than $16 million a day while shut
down, and the state would lose an estimated $1.3 million a day in the taxes
they normally generate.
On Wednesday, state parks, beaches and race tracks were ordered to
closed. Casino dealers were sent home in mid-shift, gamblers cashed in their
chips before being ushered to the exits, and janitors locked the doors behind
them. Atlantic City’s 12 casinos stand to lose more than $16 million a day,
and the state is losing an estimated $1.3 million a day in taxes the normally
generate.
About 36,000 state workers in vital roles, such as child welfare, state police
and mental hospitals, are still working, but without pay.
“No one wants to see people lose their jobs. We hope this gets resolved as
quickly as possible,” said Linda Kassekert, chairwoman of the state Casino
Control Commission.
While gambling ceased, the buildings — which also have restaurants,
showrooms, stores and meeting space — stayed open. But many gamblers
headed for the exits rather than stay around.
At Trump Taj Mahal, 150 people had canceled room reservations by mid-
afternoon. Spokesman Tom Hickey said about 2,500 people would be out of
work at the three Trump casinos.
In Jersey City, Felix Morales showed up at the gate of Liberty State Park with
his family to go fishing, but was turned away.
“Why should the citizens pay for something that the government should have
fixed before it got to this point?” he asked.
The effects of the budget stalemate have also frustrated the state’s plan to
stockpile influenza medicine in case of a flu pandemic. Officials reserved
907,000 courses of antiviral drug Tamiflu from a federal stockpile, but can’t
order or pay for the drugs without a budget, said Dr. Fred Jacobs, the state
health commissioner.
The deadlock was even being felt over the state line in New York, where
limousine services reported cancellations as gamblers chose not to rent cars
and drivers to ferry them to Atlantic City.
“I’m getting killed — people have canceled like crazy,” said Stan Spirn, owner
of Stan’s Limousine Service.
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