New Jersey lawmakers agree to let voters choose casino future

Jersey governor Chris Christie has announced that a deal has been made to let voters decide whether two new casinos should be built in the state.

Christie was joined by Senate President Stephen Sweeney and assembly speaker Vincent Prieto, who were in contention to get their proposals passed.

Christie said: "I’m pleased, after a lot of effort and a lot of conversation amongst the three of us, that we can announce today that we have an agreement on how to move forward on North Jersey gaming."

The new deal would give current Atlantic City operators six months after a referendum in November to propose projects in north Jersey.

The proposal would require operators to invest at least $1bn into their casino projects.

Sweeney said: "We want real investment in the state of New Jersey. We don't ‘want slots in a box’.

If no applications are made within the deadline, the new casino licences will be open to groups outside the state.

Prieto's initial proposal was for one of the two casinos to be opened by a New Jersey company.

He said: "I don't care who builds them as long as they get built in the right fashion."