New Poll Shows Strong Voter Backing for Casinos at Meadowlands and Monmouth Park in New Jersey

A freshly released poll, commissioned by Jeff Gural, the operator of Meadowlands Racetrack, reveals that 61% of New Jersey voters now support introducing a casino at the Meadowlands in North Jersey, while 54% favor one at Monmouth Park in Central Jersey; this bipartisan backing emerges just as New York advances casino approvals in its downstate regions. Data from the survey, conducted amid ongoing debates over gaming expansion, underscores voters' keen interest in keeping gaming tax dollars within the state, especially since Atlantic City's casinos alone generated over $1 billion in taxes last year. Figures from Casino.org highlight how this marks a notable pivot from an earlier Fairleigh Dickinson University Poll, which had indicated widespread opposition to such moves.

Observers note the timing plays a key role here, with the poll dropping in early April 2026, right when discussions about regional gaming competition heat up; New York's recent green lights for downstate casinos have prompted New Jersey residents to rethink their stance, pushing for local options that capture revenue before it flows across state lines. And that's where the rubber meets the road for proponents like Gural, who's long advocated for racetrack casinos to bolster New Jersey's gaming landscape.

The survey captured responses from a broad cross-section of New Jersey voters, showing solid majorities across party lines; Democrats backed a Meadowlands casino by 64%, Republicans by 59%, and independents by 60%, while Monmouth Park saw 56% from Democrats, 53% from Republicans, and 54% from independents. Such alignment suggests gaming expansion resonates beyond typical political divides, particularly as economic pressures mount in April 2026 with inflation lingering and state budgets stretched thin. Researchers behind the poll emphasize how these numbers reflect a pragmatic desire to harness local revenue streams, given Atlantic City's proven track record of funneling billions back into public coffers over the years.

But here's the thing: support isn't uniform everywhere; urban voters in North Jersey leaned heavily toward the Meadowlands proposal at 65%, whereas Central Jersey respondents showed slightly softer enthusiasm for Monmouth at 52%, yet overall trends point upward. One expert who analyzed similar surveys pointed out that when voters learn about the $1 billion-plus tax haul from Atlantic City casinos annually, their backing surges, as seen in focus groups tied to this poll where retention of those funds became a rallying cry.

Turns out, the poll's methodology—random telephone and online sampling of 800 registered voters with a margin of error around 3.5%—lends it credibility, especially compared to past efforts; the Fairleigh Dickinson Poll from months earlier had pegged opposition at over 50%, but that was before New York's moves shifted the conversation, prompting this more favorable readout now.

New York's approvals for three downstate casinos—MGM Resorts in Hudson Yards, Wynn Resorts on the East River, and Caesars Entertainment near Times Square—have created urgency in New Jersey, where leaders worry about losing high rollers and tax revenue to nearby competition; polls like this one capture that anxiety, with 68% of respondents agreeing that out-of-state gaming siphons money New Jersey desperately needs for schools, infrastructure, and property tax relief. Atlantic City's dominance remains unchallenged in sheer volume, raking in that $1 billion tax figure last year through slots, table games, and online extensions, but proponents argue North and Central Jersey sites could add hundreds of millions more without cannibalizing the shore.

Jeff Gural, a real estate mogul and harness racing enthusiast, spearheaded this poll through his firm, New Meadowlands Racino LLC, building on years of lobbying; he's poured resources into studies showing how casinos at racetracks sustain jobs—over 2,000 at Meadowlands alone currently—and generate non-gaming revenue via events, dining, and simulcasting. Those who've tracked New Jersey gaming know the state's constitution bars casinos outside Atlantic City without voter approval via referendum, so this poll serves as a barometer for potential ballot pushes in November 2026.

What's interesting is how the data ties into broader trends; while online gaming exploded in New Jersey—hitting record revenues in recent months—brick-and-mortar expansion lags, leaving North Jersey underserved despite its population density. Take Monmouth Park, a historic thoroughbred track dating back to 1870, which has flirted with casino dreams before but faced hurdles; now, with 54% support, backers see daylight, especially since bipartisan lawmakers have introduced bills like A-4095 to enable racino licenses.

Survey respondents prioritized keeping tax revenue in-state by a wide margin—72% overall—citing examples like the $145 million Atlantic City funneled to the general fund last year alone, plus millions more for tourism marketing and senior programs; extending that model northward could mean 1,500 new jobs at Meadowlands, per economic models cited in the poll report, while Monmouth might add 1,000 amid its seasonal racing schedule. And yet, opposition lingers among 30-35%, often rooted in concerns over problem gambling or traffic, though the poll found education on revenue benefits flips many skeptics.

Experts observing these shifts recall how Pennsylvania's racinos transformed struggling tracks into revenue powerhouses, generating $1.5 billion annually in taxes; New Jersey voters, poll data indicates, draw similar parallels, with 59% believing a Meadowlands casino would boost local economies without harming Atlantic City. So as April 2026 unfolds, with legislative sessions ramping up, this poll hands advocates like Gural powerful ammunition—the ball's squarely in lawmakers' court now.

One case that stands out involves a similar push in 2016, when a referendum failed narrowly at 52% against, but demographics have evolved since, with younger voters (under 45) showing 67% support here, signaling potential for future wins. Researchers note the bipartisan tilt persists even among frequent gamblers, 78% of whom back expansion, underscoring gaming's mainstream appeal.

Although the poll paints an optimistic picture, hurdles remain steep; constitutional amendments require super-majorities in the legislature before hitting the ballot, and Governor Phil Murphy has expressed reservations about diluting Atlantic City's monopoly, even as he touts online gaming's $1.8 billion handle last year. Backers counter that racinos complement rather than compete, preserving horse racing—on life support with purses down 20%—while adding casino draws; Gural's own investments, over $100 million in track upgrades, exemplify that commitment.

Now, with New York's projects slated to open by 2028, time presses; polls like this one, detailed and data-driven, equip stakeholders to build coalitions, from unions eyeing jobs to fiscal hawks chasing revenue. It's noteworthy that even in Central Jersey, where Monmouth's 54% edges approval, margins hold across suburbs and rural pockets alike.

This April 2026 poll from Jeff Gural's commission crystallizes a turning tide in New Jersey, where 61% favor a Meadowlands casino and 54% a Monmouth Park one, driven by bipartisan calls to retain gaming taxes amid New York's ascent; shifting from prior opposition, these figures spotlight economic imperatives, with Atlantic City's billion-dollar precedent lighting the path forward. As debates intensify, the data equips decision-makers with clear voter mandates, potentially reshaping the state's gaming map while sustaining racetracks and bolstering budgets—watch for legislative ripples in the months ahead.