- Casino
- By State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Georgia
- Florida
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Massachusetts
- Maryland
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
- By State
- Slots
- Poker
- Sports
- Esports
Smoking, PILOT Bill Continue to Be Center of Attention in Atlantic City

The New Jersey PILOT bill was presented as a way to help Atlantic City’s nine casinos overcome the hardships of the COVID-19 pandemic. It was a contentious piece of legislation from the start that only became more problematic when it was approved in December. After legal challenges surfaced to try to get the legislation halted, a judge gave New Jersey until yesterday to indicate whether mediation was an acceptable path to resolution. It isn’t.
New Jersey Declines Mediation over PILOT Bill
In December, the PILOT bill passed both the Senate and Assembly. It was quickly signed into law by Governor Phil Murphy and made a significant change in the way that casinos pay property taxes. This resulted in less funding for Atlantic County.
To stop the law from going into effect, the county sued. Mediation was then suggested as a way to avoid a drawn-out and costly legal fight. However, New Jersey isn’t willing to negotiate. The PILOT bill has been approved and, according to state leaders, that’s the end of the story.
Dennis Levinson, county executive, said that he was “flabbergasted” and “very dismayed” by the state’s refusal to use neutral mediators. “We’re going to fight. It is going to cost plenty of money,” Levinson stated, according to the Press of Atlantic City. “They know they violated our consent order that they signed and agreed to. And everyone else knows it.”
This consent order was entered to settle a lawsuit against the 2016 PILOT bill. It provided specific payments that were based on the law and will run through 2026.
Levinson stated that county taxpayers are at risk of losing more than $30 million over the next five years. Oral arguments will be held before Superior Court Judge Joseph Marczyk on February 8.
Cigarettes Smoke Clouds Atlantic City Casinos
Atlantic City casinos have been fighting for – and against – a smoking ban for years. It looked like a ban would be introduced in 2020, but what emerged was only a temporary ban. A group of legislators is going to try, once again, to find support for an across-the-board smoking ban at the casinos.
Six senators have introduced Senate bill S264, which has been referred to the Senate Health Committee. It is anticipated that a companion bill will be prepared for the Assembly and presented soon. Both bills could take several months to see their way through the legislative maze.
No-smoking policies at casinos are becoming the norm. However, officials from the Casino Association of New Jersey, which represents Atlantic City casinos, have stated that forcing smokers to go outside could lead to lost customers. They apparently haven’t bothered to do their homework.
Related Topics:
Erik brings his unique writing talents and storytelling flare to cover a wide range of gambling topics. He has written for a number of industry-related publications over the years, providing insight into the constantly evolving world of gaming. A huge sports fan, he especially enjoys football and anything related to sports gambling. Erik is particularly interested in seeing how sports gambling and online gaming are transforming the larger gaming ecosystem.
Must Read
Legal
August 29, 2025
A23 Challenges India’s Controversial Gaming Ban
More Articles
Casino
September 3, 2025
Dutch Gambling Licences to Require Operator Exit Plans
Industry
September 3, 2025
Lucrative Labour Day Weekend for Virgin Hotels Slot Player
Industry
September 3, 2025
America Sees Sharp Drop in Foreign Tourists in 2025
Industry
September 3, 2025
Illinois Bettors See New Fees as Sportsbooks React to Tax Law
Casino
September 2, 2025
Criminal Boss “Fat Mike” Denied Compassionate Release from Prison
Industry
September 2, 2025
Crypto.com to Power Underdog’s Prediction Markets Foray
Industry
September 2, 2025
Kazakhstan Could Criminalize Influencers Promoting Gambling Content
Slots
September 2, 2025
Discover the Riches of a Molten Jungle in Play’n GO’s Fire Toad 2
Industry
September 2, 2025
California Inches Closer to Banning Sweepstakes as AB 831 Advances
Casino
September 2, 2025
55% of Filipino Gamblers, Unaware of Risks Tied to Illegal Sites
Sports
September 2, 2025
Diego Lopes vs. Jean Silva Noche UFC 3 Odds, Time, and Prediction