One of the casino developers is Pinnacle Entertainment (NYSE:PNK). Corzine and Pinnacle chairman Dan Lee pushed the plunger that demolished the former Sands Casino Hotel last October to make way for Pinnacle's new project. The two other huge casino projects on the drawing board for Atlantic City, Corzine says both the $5 billion MGM Atlantic City development and the $2 billion Revel Entertainment project appear to be on firm financial footing.

"Markets go up and down," Corzine said. 'If they were coming to market today, the markets are not keen on highly leveraged transactions. Whether it be six months from now, a year from now, a year and a half from now, we certainly hope the markets provide windows of opportunity. I would expect that they will."

According to Corzine, the financing plans of MGM are secure. "I think Revel's pretty secure," he added.

Corzine said he would sign a law designating casino inspectors as essential personnel able to work during a state government shutdown.

That's because a 2006 government shutdown resulted in the casinos closing for three days.

Corzine also said Atlantic City is offering 150-acre former airport property at Bader Field for additional casinos.

Penn National Gaming (NASDAQ:PENN) has offered $800 million for the land, and $100 million as a "bonus" to Atlantic City for approving the deal quickly.
 
But, Corzine is cautious about that.

"I believe in open competition," Corzine said. "You have no idea if there's a better opportunity out there or not."

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