He argued that the bill would help the casinos recover from COVID-19 pandemic losses.

Sweeney said he spoke with officials from the Casino Association of New Jersey and 'they painted a very clear picture' of the financial trouble they could be in if the bill is not passed. The Associated Press reported that the bill would modify an existing law to allow casinos to make payments to Atlantic City, Atlantic County and the school system instead of property taxes. I don't want to have a situation where it's, 'I told you that place was going to close, and it closed.''

'There are four casinos in jeopardy of closing,' Sweeney said. Sweeney, a Democrat, spoke at the state Senate's budget committee hearing Monday. New Jersey's outgoing state Senate President Steve Sweeney said that four of Atlantic City's nine casinos could close if legislators do not pass a bill providing them with property tax breaks.