ASSEMBLY, No. 579

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

Introduced Pending Technical Review by Legislative Counsel

PRE-FILED FOR INTRODUCTION IN THE 1996 SESSION

By Assemblyman LUSTBADER

An Act concerning the hours of operation of casinos and amending P.L.1977, c.110.

    Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

    1. Section 97 of P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-97) is amended to read as follows:

    97. Hours of Operation. a. No casino licensed pursuant to this act shall operate between the hours of 6 a.m. and 10 a.m. on Saturdays, Sundays and State and federal holidays, or between the hours of 4 a.m. and 10 a.m. on all other days, except that the commission may extend the hours of operation, up to and including 24 hours of operation, on any Saturday, Sunday, or State or federal holiday, or on any day that an extension of operating hours would, in the judgment of the commission, have an economic impact on the casino industry and on Atlantic City which would justify the extension of those hours. In making this finding, the commission shall consider, among other factors: (1) the anticipated volume of visitor, convention, or tourist traffic in Atlantic City as a result of any scheduled meetings or events; (2) any special promotions or market expansion programs undertaken by the casino industry or others to increase such traffic; or (3) any other basis for the conclusion that an extension of operating hours would, under the circumstances, effect a significant impact on the volume of casino business and thereby on the State revenues dependent thereupon. The extension of operating hours to 24 hours may be authorized for up to five continuous days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and State or federal holidays, but in no case shall the number of days with 24 hours of operation, including Saturdays, Sundays, and State or federal holidays, exceed 12. Application to the commission for the extension of operating hours shall not be made earlier than 30 days prior to the first day of any requested period of continuous days of 24-hour casino operations which consists of or includes days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and State or federal holidays, or, in the case of a single day which is being requested, prior to that day. At least two days with the specific operating hours authorized in this subsection shall elapse between each period of more than three continuous days, including Saturdays, Sundays and State and federal holidays, of 24-hour casino operations. Any resolution approving an extension of operating hours shall be considered at a regularly scheduled meeting of the commission held pursuant to the "Open Public Meetings Act," P.L.1975, c.231 (C.10:4-6 et seq.).

    b. A casino licensee shall file with the commission a schedule of hours prior to the issuance of an initial operation certificate. If the casino licensee proposes any change in scheduled hours, such change may not be effected until such licensee files a notice of the new schedule of hours with the commission. Such filing must be made 30 days prior to the effective date of the proposed change in hours.

    c. Nothing herein shall be construed to limit a casino licensee in opening its casino later than, or closing its casino earlier than, the times stated in its schedule of operating hours; provided, however, that any such alterations in its hours shall comply with the provisions of subsection a. of this section and with regulations of the commission pertaining to such alterations.

(cf: P.L.1992, c.36, s.1)

    2. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

    This bill places limits on the operation of 24-hour gambling. The Casino Control Commission may extend the operating hours of casinos to 24 hours for up to five continuous days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and State or federal holidays, but in no case shall the number of days with 24 hours of operation, including Saturdays, Sundays, and State or federal holidays, exceed 12. Application to the commission for the extension of operating hours shall not be made earlier than 30 days prior to the first day of any requested period of continuous days of 24-hour casino operations which consists of or includes days other than Saturdays, Sundays, and State or federal holidays, or, in the case of a single day which is being requested, prior to that day. At least two days with the specific operating hours authorized in the "Casino Control Act," P.L.1977, c.110 (C.5:12-1 et seq.), shall elapse between each period of more than three continuous days of 24-hour casino operations.

Places limits on operation of 24-hour gambling.