New Jersey legislation signed into law last week will keep the casinos and racetracks open in the event of another budget crisis similar to the one in 2006. During that time the casinos were shutdown for several days when the State could not reach a budget agreement and Governor Jon Corzine ordered all non essential state workers to stay home.

The casino could not operate because New Jersey law requires a member of the Casino Control Commission be on site at all times. Since these workers were considered non essential workers they were not allowed to work and the casinos had to close. The casinos lost about $20 million a day in revenue and New Jersey lost about $1.3 million in taxes. The new law will make sure it does not happen again by allowing CCC member to work during a budget crisis.