An initiative to allow New Jersey to have casinos outside Atlantic City is going to face local resistance
A Fairleigh Dickinson University poll conducted March 20–28, 2026 shows 49% of New Jersey registered voters oppose expanding casino gambling beyond Atlantic City, with 44% in favor and 7% undecided. The sample size was 805 registered voters, contacted via live telephone and text-to-web surveys by Braun Research of Princeton, with a margin of error of ±3.9 percentage points.
Those numbers have barely moved in over a decade. FDU polled the same question in August 2014 (42% favor, 50% oppose) and January 2016 (41% favor, 50% oppose). The only substantial historical shift comes from March 2009, when opposition stood at 70% with just 24% in favor.
The current legislative push would amend the state constitution to allow casinos at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park racetracks, partly in response to new casinos opening in New York.
Any amendment requires passage by the legislature in two consecutive sessions, then voter approval in a referendum, potentially as soon as November 2026. A previous referendum on the same question failed in November 2016 with 77% opposed.
Opposition is highest among voters 65 and older, at 58% against and 38% in favor. Voters under 30 are nearly split at 49% opposed and 45% in favor. By party, Democrats oppose 49% to 43%, Republicans oppose 51% to 44%, and Independents are effectively tied at 47% each way.
Geographically, the strongest opposition comes from Bergen and Passaic counties, surrounding the proposed Meadowlands site, where 56% oppose and 38% favor. Counties around Atlantic City come in at 50% opposed and 43% in favor.
