NJ Gov. Murphy Hopes Atlantic City Casinos Could Reopen by July 4

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy has revealed that he believes Atlantic City casinos could reopen by July 4, with certain restrictions in place.

The governor said in a radio interview that his administration is “trying like heck” to get the casinos opened earlier but said the task is enormously complicated to ensure the safety of gamblers and workers.

“It’s probably still too early to give you a specific answer,” Murphy said of an exact date but stressed it would likely be around Independence Day.

Murphy said he is working with casino owners and local officials on a reopening plan but did not offer what a casino floor would look like during a pandemic. Like indoor-seating at restaurants, Murphy said casinos present a unique problem because of stagnant air and close contact among patrons and staff.

Last week, Atlantic County Democratic Chairman Michael Suleiman asked Murphy to come up with a plan to safely reopen Atlantic City casinos by the July 4 weekend.