But in the 30 years since casino gambling was legalized here, three mayors have left office under clouds of suspicion and dozens of city councilmen have been indicted in corruption scandals.

Not one worked for a casino.

Now some state legislators say they are ready to allow casino workers to run for mayor and City Council in Atlantic City. The state Assembly voted 66-11 last week to approve a bill to allow casino workers who live in Atlantic City to hold municipal office there. Casino workers would still be barred from running for state office.

The bill is scheduled to be discussed, though not voted on, by the Senate Wagering, Tourism, and Historic Preservation Committee today.

Some have argued that with about 22 percent of its population of 40,000 working in the casino industry, Atlantic City is hampered by the law when it comes to its pool of potential political candidates.

Others contend that the 1970s-era legislation - part of some of the strictest casino regulation in the country aimed at thwarting the influence of organized crime - discriminates against the law-abiding backbone of the local economy.

"I think we need to increase the talent pool of individuals who want to run and want to serve in Atlantic City," said State Sen. Jeff Van Drew (D., Cape May), who is sponsoring the bill in the Senate with former Atlantic City Mayor Jim Whelan (D., Atlantic).

"[The ban] is discriminatory and it disenfranchises people from, literally, the right to be involved, which I've always thought was inappropriate," Van Drew said.

In Pennsylvania, gaming employees could run for public office but would have to resign from their jobs once taking office, according to the state Gaming Control Board. Elected officials are not allowed to work for casinos in Pennsylvania during their terms and for one year after they leave office.

Las Vegas, however, allows its casino workers to run for office, Whelan said. He said casinos in Atlantic City had proved themselves reputable but that other city officials had not.

"This is the most regulated, investigated industry in the state and they're the people who are not running for office?" he said. "It's not the casino worker that has had ethical issues and issues of corruption associated with them; it's the Atlantic City government."

Still, some worry that without such controls, the well-funded casino industry, the largest employer in the resort, could influence local elections by positioning and funding candidates who would favor gaming.

Assemblyman Richard Merkt (R., Morris), who voted against the measure last week, said he worried that casinos could expand their political influence on Atlantic City.

"I think we have started down a path from which there is no turning back," Merkt said after the vote. He served as a deputy attorney general from 1983 to 1986 on the state Casino Control Commission.

One current Atlantic City councilman, Marty Small, questions the motives behind the change.

"Of course there's a hidden political agenda there," Small said, but he declined to discuss what it might be.

Small, whose biography on the City Council Web site proclaims his desire to become mayor, said he welcomed more competition.

"If you're doing your job and you're serving your constituents, you shouldn't worry about who you're running against," he said. "You know, bring it on."

He questioned, however, why lawmakers were not expanding the bill to allow casino employees to compete for the Assembly or Senate.

"If it's good for us, how come it's not good for them?" Small asked.

Whelan said he would prefer to let casino workers run for state office as well, but that other legislative leaders didn't agree. He said the bill was not being written for any particular candidate or group.

Atlantic City casino workers can seek elected office in other towns and any county but not at the state level or in the city, Whelan said.

Assemblyman John J. Burzichelli (D., Gloucester), who sponsored the bill in the Assembly, said the law would also allow casino workers to make contributions to their own political campaigns in Atlantic City.

The plan would have to be approved by the state Senate and signed by Gov. Corzine before it could become law. Corzine's office is still reviewing the bill, spokesman Robert Corrales said.

The Casino Association of New Jersey supports the bill.

"Over the years Atlantic City has lost the opportunity to consider many great candidates as a result of the current prohibition," association president Joseph Corbo Jr. said in a statement. "By overturning this law, some very successful, intelligent, and hardworking individuals who work in our industry will be permitted to participate in this process."

Inquirer staff writer Jeff Shields contributed to this article.