“Although Mr. Gural and Mr. Fireman recently ended their advertising campaigns in favor of this initiative, I am not stopping,” says Berger.

Berger said he is continuing his efforts because advertising by an opposition group, Trenton's Bad Bet, is funded partially by Genting Group, a Malaysian company that operates the Resorts World casino at Aqueduct Racetrack in Queens, NY. Berger says he believes the group's opposition is actually intended to protect its business interests in the Northeast; a gambling venue in Northern New Jersey would draw away part of its customer base.

“These foreign backers are spending many millions of dollars to spread lies that gaming in our northern counties would hurt New Jersey,” Berger says. “In fact, it would hurt their establishments.”

Trenton's Bad Bet's messaging tells the public that Trenton politicians will give casino operating licenses to their friends, and that establishing more casinos would hurt seniors, which Berger says is simply not true. “A portion of casino revenue goes to state programs that reduce costs for our senior citizens. That will not change. The statements that these Malaysian entities are putting forth are lies, perpetrated through their false ad campaign, which I am counteracting.”

“New York City is the world's biggest tourist destination. The transit connections mean that both NYC residents and tourists can come enjoy gambling in less than half an hour. We'd also incorporate the light rail station that was built for Riverfront Stadium into the casino; Amtrak or NJ Transit riders could get off at Penn Station and take the light rail right to the casino. The land and the infrastructure are there.” Berger's plan also calls for Division Street to be vacated by the city in order to combine the two parcels of land to create this project.

The Berger Organization has been in discussions with two Atlantic City hotel operators who also operate casinos in Las Vegas and worldwide. The six-month advance application time frame stipulates that only those parties with existing casino licenses, operating currently in Atlantic City, and who can meet the minimum capital investment of one billion dollars may apply. After the initial six months, the application process is open to anyone who meets certain criteria.

“It's been thrilling to see the revitalization and development of downtown Newark, and this needs to continue,” says Berger. “A casino hotel in downtown Newark will be a tremendous advantage to the city and Essex County.”