Other gambling centers had opened to compete with Monaco, many of them successfully.
Adding to the legislators' dilemma is the economic impact the gambling centers have in their areas.
About one-third of all American Indian tribes have gambling centers.
But the pageant, which began here to help lengthen the summer beach season, is still vitally important to this gambling center.
Perhaps the place almost defined by its casino is Monte Carlo, but other places are known as gambling centers.
It became the world's biggest gambling centre in 2006.
For owners of businesses in new gambling centers, the increase in prices for commercial real estate has made many rich.
Together they head to Macau, the world's biggest gambling center, to see just how much they'll risk to sell a story.
Atlantic City may be the gambling center for the state, but it also has its share of summer music.
So why not raise money for it in a gambling center?