Atlantic City casinos

A public hearing on one of two competing plans to ask voters whether to authorize two new casinos in northern New Jersey will be held Jan. 7.

Pressure is building on state lawmakers to agree on a ballot question to put before voters asking whether to approve two new casinos in northern New Jersey.

This struggling East Coast gambling resort made it through a full year without another casino closing in 2015, and crucial developments over the next 12 months could shape its future for years to come.

It's no longer such a sure thing that New Jersey voters will be asked in November whether to approve two new casinos in the northern part of the state.

New Jersey lawmakers still cannot agree on how to ask voters whether to allow two new casinos in the northern part of the state.

The Borgata casino asked a judge Monday to order Atlantic City to pay more than $62 million in tax refunds that the court has already determined the casino should get -- a move that could end in seizure of some of the seaside gambling resort's assets or even bankruptcy.

One New Jersey lawmaker thinks legalizing marijuana in Atlantic City could help spur an economic upswing at a time when the city continues to struggle by job and revenue loses from the closures of four casinos in 2014.

Projects that will have a huge impact on Atlantic City are moving through the New Jersey Legislature, including plans for an expansion of casino gambling to the northern part of the state, and a financial assistance package for the seaside gambling resort.

State Senate president Steve Sweeney refused to back off his demands on ownership of two casinos proposed for northern New Jersey as serious differences remained Thursday between competing plans for a statewide referendum on the topic.

An altered financial assistance plan for Atlantic City and its struggling casino industry is headed for a vote in the state Assembly, which is likely to adopt changes requested by Gov. Chris Christie.