A fresh poll from Fairleigh Dickinson University dropped, and if you’re a New Jersey resident, there’s something in it worth knowing. The FDU Poll surveyed 805 registered voters across the state between March 20 and 28.
State Senators Vin Gopal and Paul Sarlo have introduced legislation that could put a casino expansion question on the November 2026 ballot. The proposal would clear the way for casinos at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks, with New York moving ahead with plans for three new casinos in New York City as the driving pressure behind it.
Here’s the catch, voters aren’t buying it.
| Year | Favor | Oppose |
|---|---|---|
| 2009 | 24% | 70% |
| 2014 | 42% | 50% |
| 2016 | 41% | 50% |
| 2026 | 44% | 49% |
Those numbers have barely moved in over a decade. The 2016 referendum failed decisively, and the FDU poll suggests attitudes haven’t shifted enough to expect a different result.
Where the Opposition Is Strongest
- 65 and older: 58% oppose, 38% favor. Older voters remember the original promise that casinos would stay in Atlantic City.
- Bergen and Passaic counties: 56% oppose. That’s notable, because the Meadowlands sits right there.
- Under 30: Even the youngest voters, who are the most likely to use betting apps, lean against it at 49% opposed to 45% in favor.
This isn’t just about gambling. It’s about money, jobs, and loyalty to the Shore. Atlantic City currently has nine casinos, and local leaders have argued that expansion would cannibalize their market, not grow it. Michael Suleiman, chairman of the Atlantic County Democratic Committee, said regional leaders would still fight any move to authorize casinos in Monmouth and Bergen Counties.
Senator Sarlo has pitched a broader vision: not just a casino at the Meadowlands, but a convention center that could also host events at MetLife Stadium next door, positioning the area as a year-round entertainment destination following the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Supporters say the competition across the Hudson changes everything. Resorts World NYC has a full casino with table games targeted to open in spring 2026, making it the first operational full casino in New York City. Hard Rock’s Metropolitan Park and Bally’s Bronx are both slated for around 2030.
The argument from expansion supporters: if New Yorkers aren’t crossing the bridge to Atlantic City anymore, why not keep those dollars in New Jersey? How much money will NJ lost when NYC has their own casinos?
FDU Poll director Dan Cassino put it plainly:
“The only thing that’s changed since last time this was tried is more casinos opening in New York. That matters a lot to the folks who want to open casinos, but it doesn’t seem to matter to the voters.”
For expansion to reach the ballot, the legislature needs to pass a constitutional amendment by either a three-fifths majority or simple majorities in two consecutive sessions. The deadline to make November 2026 is this summer. A coalition of three members of Congress and 34 state legislators has already sent a letter opposing the bill.
It’s an uphill climb. The poll numbers say so. The history says so. But with New York casinos opening across the river, the pressure isn’t going away.
Source: FDU Poll, conducted March 20-28, 2026. 805 registered NJ voters. Margin of error +/- 3.9 percentage points.
