Republicans: Protect Atlantic City casinos

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. (AP) -- Some Republican state lawmakers are pushing to continue barring casinos anywhere in New Jersey except Atlantic City for two more years.

Speaking at a news conference Tuesday, Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick said he supported continuing the protections until 2016. His pronouncement comes as a venture capital firm has been telling officials about a proposal for a huge casino in Jersey City.

State Senate President Steve Sweeney, a Democrat, has said he's open to the idea of a ballot measure in November 2015 to allow casinos in northern Jersey. Even if that happened, casinos would not be able to open there immediately.

Sweeney and Gov. Chris Christie previously agreed to protect Atlantic City's monopoly into 2016. Bramnick says that should be honored.

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