(07/07/06) TRENTON ? Dealers in New Jersey?s casinos may end up doling out cards to gamblers as early as Friday night in the wake of a budget agreement reached by Governor Jon Corzine (D-NJ) and top lawmakers.

Legislators may be ready to vote on the proposed budget compromise Friday night. At that point, Corzine would have to sign an executive order that would end the weeklong government shutdown. The closure, which also included New Jersey?s parks and beaches, left more than 80,000 people out of work. Under the compromise reached Thursday, the sales tax in New Jersey will be raised from 6 percent to 7 percent. Half of that revenue would go toward property tax relief, the other half would go toward balancing the budget.

Casino hotel workers say they?ve been inundated with calls regarding a timeframe for reopening. A New Jersey Casino Control Commission representative says the commission chair will reopen the casinos immediately after Corzine ends the shutdown. According to the representative, casino inspectors are ready to spring into action once the reopening is ordered. One representative from the Trump Taj Mahal doesn't think gambling will resume until after 10 p.m.

Related information: Despite agreement, New Jersey lawmakers must still fine tune budget Governor Corzine, top legislative leaders strike budget deal Senate President Codey comments on the deal Comments from Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts Jr. Click here to Sound Off! on the NJ government shutdown News 12 New Jersey In-Depth