Rival plans to ask voters whether to approve casinos in northern New Jersey, and an aid package for Atlantic City are up for consideration in the state Legislature.
Action taken Thursday by lawmakers could have far-reaching effects on the struggling gambling resort.
Committees in the state Senate and Assembly will hold public hearings on rival plans for north Jersey casinos, but both houses still don't agree on a single measure to put before voters.
The Senate version would require that both new casinos be owned by existing Atlantic City casino operators, and would initially send 50 percent of gambling tax revenue they generate to compensate Atlantic City.
The Assembly version only applies the existing ownership requirement to one of the casinos, and would send 35 percent to Atlantic City.
