TRENTON, NJ—As state lawmakers work on the fine points of a referendum that would allow casino gaming beyond the border of Atlantic City, some local politicians are already touting their respective jurisdictions as prime gambling locations.

“There's only one place that every major casino operator in the country already has come to check out, and that's Jersey City,” says Jersey City mayor Steve Fulop. “It's not rocket science. We're closest to Manhattan. A casino here would be the highest-grossing in North America, bigger than any Las Vegas casino.”

Jim Kirkos, the head of the Meadowlands Regional Chamber of Commerce, believes the Meadowlands Sports Complex is a prime location considering The American Dream, Izod Center, MetLife Stadium and a potential convention center will drive traffic to the gaming facility.

State Sen. Paul Sarlo, a staunch proponent of a Meadowlands casino, is convinced that the legislature would approve issuing only two licenses if the referendum secures voter approval, according to The Record.

“We'll have some sort of geographical boundary, whether it's north of the Driscoll Bridge (in Middlesex County) or a listing of eligible counties,” Sarlo says. “We'd be looking for the most tax revenues, someone who can build immediately, and have their financing in place. And this is open bidding. The Meadowlands (Sports Complex), Jersey City is a viable option, Secaucus, Newark—there are lots of viable options, and we should not rule out any of them.” See story in The Record.