Atlantic City, N.J.

New Jersey's Senate president said he doesn't see the state asking voters again whether to authorize a casino near New York City "anytime soon, if ever."

Steve Sweeney told The Associated Press on Monday he doesn't think the state Legislature will put a second referendum before voters in 2018 or 2019. Voters decisively rejected a ballot question two years ago to authorize two new casinos in the northern part of the state, and 2018 is the earliest proponents could try again.

But the Democrat from southern New Jersey said that is unlikely.

"I don't see it anytime soon, if ever," he said. "I don't see any way where it comes back; it was crushed."

Sweeney said he can't guarantee a future state Senate president won't try to revive the referendum.

"I just don't see it reasonably coming back and making sense," he said.

Sweeney also predicted that the U.S. Supreme Court will rule in favor of New Jersey's effort to legalize sports betting, which he said will help horse racetracks "in a dramatic way."

The owner of the Meadowlands Racetrack, where the new casino would go, says he's prepared to wait five years or more to let voters approve a casino there.