Gov. Chris Christie says he won't sign a bill that would allow smaller casinos to be built in Atlantic City before the rest of an ambitious package to rejuvenate the nation's second-largest gambling market is also approved.
The so-called “boutique casinos” bill has passed both houses of the New Jersey legislature. Hard Rock International has said it would start drawing up blueprints for a new Boardwalk casino immediately should the governor sign the law.
But Christie on Monday put the brakes on the bill, saying it is but one part of an overall package that Atlantic City needs to regain its competitive edge amidst competition from surrounding states like Delaware and Pennsylvania.
It will be at least the first week of January before the state Assembly votes on many of the bills.
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