The basics:
- 44% of NJ voters support casino expansion outside Atlantic City; about half oppose
- Public opinion on casino expansion remains largely unchanged for over a decade
- Nearly 78% of voters support plug-in balcony solar panels, with bipartisan backing
- Support for solar reflects practical motivation to reduce electricity costs
New Jersey voters remain firmly opposed to expanding casino gambling beyond Atlantic City. Meanwhile, they overwhelmingly back a separate effort to allow small, plug-in balcony solar panels, according to the latest FDU Poll.
The survey of 805 registered New Jersey voters took place March 20–28, 2026. It has a margin of error of +/- 3.5%.
On casino expansion, attitudes have barely shifted in more than a decade.
About 44% of voters support allowing the gaming houses outside Atlantic City, while roughly half remain opposed. The results are virtually unchanged from polling in 2014 and 2016. And far from the 77% rejection the idea received in the 2016 referendum.
“People made up their minds about casino expansion a long time ago,” said Dan Cassino, FDU professor of government and politics and executive director of the FDU Poll. “Unless something dramatic happens, putting the issue in front of voters is going to lead to the same outcome as it did before.”
The idea has resurfaced in Trenton, where developers and some lawmakers are again discussing casinos at the Meadowlands and Monmouth Park.
Even with renewed interest among those stakeholders, public opinion has stayed steady. Cassino noted that while those developments matter to those pushing for expansion, “it doesn’t seem to matter to the voters.”
“The only thing that’s changed since last time this was tried is more casinos opening in New York,” said Cassino.
No dice
Opposition is especially strong among older residents. Fifty-eight percent of voters 65 and older against casino expansion versus 38% in favor. Those under 30 – who are most likely to use betting apps, are also opposed. Among that group, 49% are against and 45% in favor.
“Older voters remember the commitment that casinos were only ever going to be in Atlantic City, and they’re holding the state to those promises,” said Cassino.
Opposition is particularly strong in and around Atlantic City, where just 43% of voters support expansion compared to 50% opposed.
It is even higher near the Meadowlands, with only 38% in favor and 56% opposed in Bergen and Passaic counties.
In contrast, voters show broad, bipartisan support for allowing plug-in balcony solar panels. Nearly 78% favor the proposal (Senate Bill 4786), compared with just 19% opposed.
The appeal cuts across party lines, though it is strongest among Democrats (86%) and somewhat lower – but still solid – among Republicans (68%). The policy would allow residents to use relatively inexpensive, easy-to-install panels to reduce electricity costs – addressing the hottest hot-button issue impacting all New Jersey residents and business owners.
Cassino said the strong support reflects a practical motivation: “Among Republicans, there’s some suspicion of any clean energy initiative. But right now, voters like anything that’s going to bring down their electricity bills.”
The full poll results are available here.
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