There have been a number of efforts in recent times to rejuvenate Atlantic City’s ailing gambling industry with limited success. The latest plan was given approval earlier this week as the Atlantic City Tourism District became a reality.
The Casino Reinvestment Authority approved the state supervised area on Tuesday and the boundaries of the area means that it will cover large parts of the city. It will include the casinos, Boardwalk, and Bader Field airport property, plus the Marina District and Gardner’s Basin.
As we mentioned earlier its goal is to help out the state’s ailing gambling industry. That has taken a nosedive since neighboring states began legalizing gambling and the economic downturn also had a detrimental effect.
State Governor Chris Christie dismissed the criticism of the plans and commented that, “It has become a necessary situation because of the complete incompetence and corruption in Atlantic City over decades. Is it my normal bent to want to do that? No. But they left us with no alternative.”
I wonder if he watches Boardwalk Empire?
Christie continued, “There is pure evidence of incompetence in running that city. I understand the City Council and the mayor are upset about it, but that’s the way it goes. They should have done something about it long before I came to town,” all said whilst Christie was beating that ample chest of his.
His comments came after Mayor Lorenzo Langford had reportedly criticized the plans saying, “There is a feeling that part of the plan is about seizing control of the assets of Atlantic City,” as he submitted the lone “no” vote.
