With all the recent talk about Hard Rock International's plans to open a casino at the Meadowlands, Newark wants New Jersey to know the city is willing to host a casino as well.

Officials in the Brick City held a press event Wednesday to remind people that should New Jersey voters agree to allow gambling outside of Atlantic City, Newark would be a great place to build a casino.

"With all due respect to Bergen and Jersey City, Newark is the place the casino should be," says Essex County Executive Joe DiVincenzo.

Many say the projected millions of dollars in tax revenue, employment opportunities and business development that come with a brand new casino would be beneficial to New Jersey's largest city.

"We're not just talking about a casino as a standalone," says Mayor Ras Baraka. "We're talking about an entire community that's going to be developed out of this."

DiVincenzo says Newark is in negotiations with as many as four difference casino operators, but declined to name any of them.

Before any city in North Jersey gets a casino, voters must agree to change the state's constitution.

To put a question on this November's ballot, lawmakers must approve the question by August 3.