Chris Christie predicted sports betting would be legalized by the federal government “next year”.
Democrats are not the only ones questioning the wisdom of the electorate this year. New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie questioned the wisdom of New Jersey voters after they rejected a North Jersey casino initiative on the November 8 ballot.
During an appears on the WFAN New York radio “Boomer and Carton” program, Chris Christie said it was a “dumb move” to reject the ballot initiative.
The referendum would have approved two North Jersey casinos, with the stipulation that they be at least 72 miles away from Atlantic City. Most plans had the casinos being placed either in Jersey City, Newark, or East Rutherford. Only Atlantic City casino license holders could apply for a North Jersey license in the first six months, which lawmakers hoped would mean they would receive minimal pushback from AC casino operators.
Christie Assigns Blame for Defeat
Despite that stipulation, Gov. Christie blamed the defeat of Question 2 on the public relations and lobbying efforts of casino and labor interests tied to the Atlantic City and New York State casinos.
When the electorate was polled on the issue in spring and summer of 2016, 35% of voters said they approved a North Jersey casino, while 54% said they were against an expansion of gaming. While those were daunting numbers for North Jersey casino proponents, it was thought a determined lobbying effort could sway 10% of the population changing their opinions. If a 44%-43% margin existed, then Question 2 might win support.
Gural and Fireman Pulled Financial Support
Instead, the poll numbers went in the opposite direction. By mid-September, the two main supporters of a North Jersey casinos, Jeffrey Gural and Paul Fireman, pulled their financial support for advertisements to mold public support. By election day, the initiative lost by a 78% to 22% margin.
Gov. Christie said that overwhelming defeat was shortsighted on the part of the New Jersey electorate. While appearing on the radio show, Christie said he expects to see casino gambling expand beyond Atlantic City.
Christie Prediction on Legal Sports Betting
Christie added that he expects to see sports gambling eventually be legalized, perhaps as early as 2017. When it does, Christie said he expects to see Monmouth Park host a sportsbook alongside its partner, William Hill.
By that time, Chris Christie no longer will be the governor of New Jersey. His term ends in 2017. Even if term limits did not restrict him from running for governor a third time, Christie likely would not seek reelection, due to the continuing Bridgegate scandal.
Bridgegate Scandal’s Impact on Christie
Bridgegate appears to have undermined Christie’s ambitions to hold a top position in the Trump Administration. Once his own presidential bid ended, Chris Christie became the first major Republican candidate to throw his support behind Donald Trump. He was mocked for that support, but eventually Christie’s proved to have foresight about Trump’s chances to win the presidency.
Unfortunately, the ongoing trials of former Christie administration officials may have cost the New Jersey governor his chance to be Trump’s nominee for vice president. While Donald Trump was rumored to have wanted Chris Christie, Trump’s children convinced him to choose Indiana Governor Mike Pence as his running mate.
No Major Role in Trump Adminstration
Chris Christie set his sights on becoming the US Attorney General, but Bridgegate ruined those ambitions, too. The week after two former aides were convicted in Bridgegate cases, Christie lost his leadership of the Trump transition team. He also lost his hopes of becoming the next attorney general.
When the North Jersey casino next comes up for a vote, a Democrat might occupy the New Jersey governor’s mansion. State Sen. Ray Lesniak has declared he is running, while rumors suggest that State Senate President Stephen Sweeney also might seek the Democrats’ nomination.
