A top New Jersey politician says four of Atlantic City's nine casinos are in danger of closing if the state does not pass a financial aid bill for the gambling industry.

Democrat Steve Sweeney says individual casinos and their trade association have convinced him that nearly half the city's casinos could shut down if a bill changing the existing law governing payments the casinos make in lieu of property taxes is not passed.

The measure was advanced by a Senate committee Monday but still needs approval by both houses of the Legislature.