Gov. Chris Christie said he thinks voters won't support expanding casino gambling if Atlantic City goes belly-up. Watch video
TRENTON -- Gov. Chris Christie predicted Thursday that a ballot question asking voters whether to expand casino gambling to north Jersey will fail -- and vowed to campaign against the referendum himself -- if state lawmakers don't approve a state takeover of Atlantic City.
The comments were a new wrinkle in an ongoing war between state and local leaders over how to save Atlantic City from financial collapse.
"There is no way voters will approve the expansion of gaming when the only place where gaming has been allowed goes down the toilet," Christie said at a Statehouse news conference in which he emphasized the need for the takeover,
"Atlantic City is headed for a disaster and north Jersey gaming is headed for a defeat if we don't get our act together," the governor added. "It's time to stop all the theater."
Christie takes aim at A.C. union contracts
Atlantic City, the only place in New Jersey where gambling is legal since 1978, has been rocked by the closure of four casinos in recent years and on the brink of running out of money by the end of next week.
Christie, a Republican, said he will sign an aid package -- known as the PILOT bill -- for Atlantic City but only if it comes with the legislation that would allow the state to assume control of key functions of the local government. The governor said Thursday that is the only way to fix the problem because the city's government has not been able to curtail its spending enough.
But local officials have opposed the takeover, saying it goes too far. And though the state Senate has approved both measures, state Assembly Speaker Vincent Prieto has refused to allow his chamber to vote on the takeover because he says it would strip unions' of their collective bargaining rights.
Earlier this month, the state Legislature approved a proposal to place a question on the November ballot asking New Jersey voters whether to approve two new casinos in the northern part of the state.
Proponents say that would create thousands of jobs and bring billions of dollars in new revenue to the region, while also allowing the state to stay competitive in the ever-growing northeastern gaming market. Opponents say it would further hurt Atlantic City.
Christie has previously said he's in favor of north Jersey casinos and helped broker a deal between Prieto and state Senate President Stephen Sweeney (D-Gloucester) on the referendum.
But the governor stressed Thursday that if Atlantic City Mayor Don Guardian and Prieto don't support the takeover, "they are running the very real risk of losing my support."
"And I will campaign across the state against the referendum if this is what happens," Christie said. "And I'll make sure it's defeated."
Polls show that New Jerseyans are split on north Jersey casinos, though positive sentiment has been growing.
It's expected that casino operators in neighboring states as well as lawmakers in south Jersey will campaign against the referendum.
Prieto said in a statement Thursday that Christie "can campaign as he chooses" on north Jersey casinos.
"It wouldn't be his first flip-flop, and he would just be risking hurting Atlantic City by denying it funding it sorely needs from North Jersey gaming to transition into a resort destination," the speaker said.
Christie also continued allegations Thursday that Prieto is simply acting on behalf of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop, a likely Democratic candidate for governor next year. One of Fulop's possible rivals for the Democratic nomination is Sweeney, the main sponsor of the takeover.
Fulop shot back at Christie in a statement Thursday.
"If the governor wants to stop north Jersey gaming as a result of this tantrum as he threatens, that is his choice -- it doesn't bother us either way," the mayor said. "Jersey City will be just fine."
The locations for the possible north Jersey casinos have not yet been set, but Jersey City is one option.
Brent Johnson may be reached at bjohnson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @johnsb01. Find NJ.com Politics on Facebook.