The Garden State is challenging a judicial decision that halted a contentious tax incentive for casinos. An appeal has been filed by the state, with a hearing set for October 7th. Issued in August, the initial ruling favored a coalition of small businesses. They contended that the tax benefit, which disregards online gaming income when determining casino liabilities, unjustly privileged casinos and breached the state’s constitution. New Jersey asserts that postponing the tax break during the appeals process would negatively impact Atlantic City’s financial standing and hinder the intended advantages. A watchdog organization, the Liberty and Prosperity Association, lauded the judge’s determination, proclaiming that the state hadn’t demonstrated that shifting the tax burden from casinos would genuinely aid Atlantic City’s broader economic landscape.
The director of the gaming regulation department, Christopher Glaum, emphasized that if the legal system invalidates the amendment, the prior legislation would be reinstated. This could result in a decline in reinvestment within casino resort properties, mirroring the period between 2009 and 2017. Glaum cautioned that this would carry substantial financial and societal ramifications not only for Atlantic City, but for the whole state.