TRENTON, NJ—Powerful chairman of the Assembly Tourism and Gaming Committee Assemblyman Ralph Caputo came out swinging in response to Caesars Entertainment's bid to build a casino in neighboring New York State.

Caesars, Atlantic City's largest casino operator, was among 22 firm/teams that paid a $1-million application fee to New York State regulators as part of the state's approval process to grant four casino gaming licenses later this year. Caesars has announced plans to build a casino resort in Blooming Grove in Orange County, NY, a few miles from the Woodbury Common Premium Outlets in Central Valley.

"Caesars has been a major roadblock for the state over the past few years," Caputo says. "They are our main opposition to growing the gaming industry in the state and have not supported any opportunity to increase gaming revenue if it meant earning it outside of Atlantic City.

Caputo is the lead sponsor on a bill that calls for evaluating casino expansion in Bergen County, according to the Press of Atlantic City. Caesars spokesman Gary Thompson says the company remains committed to the Atlantic City market. He had no comment on the Assemblyman's remarks.

"For Caesars to impede the progress we could have made in New Jersey, then go to New York to build is plain hypocrisy," Caputo says. "This new move to build a casino resort in New York adds insult to injury." See story in the Press of Atlantic City.