Casinos‘ Request to Stay Open Denied

Trenton – The state Supreme Court has denied casinos a reprieve to stay open amid a shut-down of state government services.

The casinos need state monitors to stay open.

The Casino Control Commission has told Atlantic City’s 12 casinos to lock up at 8 a-m Wednesday.

Assistant Attorney General Patrick DeAlmeida, who argued the case on behalf of the Commission, said that if the casinos won judicial approval to stay open that other private parties would also seek such relief.

Casino association lawyer John Kearney said the casinos were trying to figure out their next step and didn’t know if they would appeal to a higher court before they’re forced to stop taking bets.

A case is still pending on whether the casino monitors are essential state workers who should stay on the job.

The state government closure is the result of a budget dispute involving Governor Corzine’s proposed sales tax increase.